Airing Pain

Pain has a huge impact not just on individuals but also on society, healthcare systems and the economy. Airing Pain takes a look at how the International Association for the Study of Pain’s Declaration of Montréal and EFIC (the European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters) are working to drive pain up the political agenda. We interview experts in healthcare policy and chronic pain treatment as well as patient groups at EFIC’s European Societal Impact of Pain symposium for their views on how the way society and the medical profession respond to pain could be improved. In this programme: Dr Beverly Collett, Consultant Pain Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Dr Brian McGuire, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway Gina Plunkett, Chairperson, Chronic Pain Ireland Prof Dr. Michael Zenz, President. DGSS. Dept of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy. Ruhr-University Bochum #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainCon

Pain can sometimes seem like an ‘uninvited guest’ or ‘intruder’ into family life. In this programme we look at the strain pain places on all personal relationships and how family therapy can help. Clinical psychologist Dr Elaine McWilliams talks about the impact of pain on the sexual and intimate side of a relationship, and she and family therapist Jan Parker also explain the effects of pain on the parent-child relationship. Psychiatrist Dr John Rolland explains how a ‘resilience approach’ can help families to move forward together. In this programme: Dr John Rolland, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Chicago and Co-Director, Chicago Centre for Family Health Jan Parker, Association for Family Therapy Dr Elaine McWilliams, Consultant Clinical Psychologist #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

Pain has often been seen as an inevitable part of getting older. Airing Pain listened in to a panel of experts at a ‘Growing Old with Pain: Innovation, Creativity and Development’ conference in Edinburgh to hear how pain treatments can dramatically improve the quality of life of older patients. The importance of family and carers taking an active role in the management of elderly patient’s pain is highlighted, along with the importance of raising awareness of the best treatments for pain in older people among health professionals. We also hear the inspirational story of Michael and Rosemary Morrison who together have rebuilt their lives around their chronic back pain and the benefits of using computers and computer games to access information and exercise. In this programme: Michael and Rosemary Morrison, Pain Association Scotland Ron Marsh, Patient Dorothy-Grace Elder, ex MSP, campaigner Dr Beverly Collett Prof. Dennis Martin, Director of Centre for Rehabilitation Sciences, Teesside University Profess

Airing Pain was at the launch of the British Pain Society’s Primary and Community Care Special Interest Group where we heard from healthcare professionals who are working to improve the management of pain conditions in the UK. The crucial role of GPs in recognising and treating pain was especially emphasised. Plus, is pain all in the mind? Paul Evans learns about the science behind pain in the brain and the exciting studies being done by Prof Irene Tracy and her team at the Oxford University Brain Imaging Unit. In this programme: Prof Richard Langford – BPS president Dr Martin Johnson – RCGP clinical champion for pain management Dr Mark Porter – Celebrity GP and journalist Prof Irene Tracy – Director of the Oxford university brain imaging unit Ms Ann Taylor – Pain community centre, Speaker at event #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

Pain management programmes teach people with pain the strategies they need to live as full a life as possible. Paul Evans talks to patients and professionals at Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh to hear their uplifting approaches to pain management. The programme focuses on the way that mind and body work together, with psychologists playing as important a role as physiotherapists. It looks at how tackling negative thoughts and patterns of behaviour are as crucial as dealing with the physical aspects of pain. We also get an insight into the amazing benefits of hydrotherapy for those in pain, helping people to take the first step towards getting back into exercise. In this programme: John McLennan – initial assessment of patient Leanne Nicholas – clinical psychologist’s approach, thought strategies David Gillanders – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Nuno Fereira – ACT and its effects Margaret Kerr – hydrotherapy and how it works Lorraine and patients – hydrotherapy in practice #AbleRadio #

Communication is fundamental to the relationship between patient and healthcare professional. In this programme Airing Pain looks at this issue from both the patient and doctor’s point of view. Psychologist David Craig of Glasgow comments on his communication skills training DVD for chronic pain professionals. GP Mark Ritchie explains how depression and chronic pain can be linked, and gives advice on how patients can prepare for medical consultations, using the memory aid: Ideas, Concerns, and Expectations. And finally, we hear from a number of patients about how they effectively broke down any communications barriers with health professionals in order to gain the most that they could from their consultations. In this programme: Dr David Craig - Chronic Pain Communication Skills Dr Mark Ritchie – Depression and chronic pain Marion Beatson – Speaking to a psychologist Ron Marsh – Relationship with health professionals Michael Morrison – Relationship with health professionals #AbleRadio #AiringPain #Pai

Paul Evans meets Edith Mowatt who has nerve root pain and hears how she has learned to manage her condition and about her experience of spinal cord stimulation. We hear a doctor’s view on these machines from Dr Steve Gilbert, and how they can also be used to treat complex regional pain syndrome. Dr Candy McCabe tells us more about this condition, as well as the use of mirrors in therapy for phantom limb pains. Finally, Professor Mark Blagrove and Dr Nicole Tang explain how pain affects sleep, and how a good night’s rest with the help of cognitive behavioural therapy can ease pain symptoms. In this programme: Edith Mowatt – Nerve root pain Dr Steve Gilbert, Queen Margaret Hospital, Fife Prof Candy McCabe – Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, phantom limbs and Mirror Therapy Prof Mark Blagrove – Sleep and pain Dr Nicole Tang – CBT and sleep #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

How do culture and religion affect the way we experience and manage our pain? Dr Shilpa Patel, Dr Sue Peacock and Sir Michael Bond talk about the relationship between cultural background and pain. Also in the programme: Dr Steve Gilbert answers questions from people experiencing back pain; Phil Sizer of Pain Association Scotland provides advice on pain management programmes; and we learn about the epidemiology of pain and hear from Generation Scotland about how their study of pain in the Scottish population can help with the identification of risk factors. In this programme: Prof Blair Smith- Generation Scotland Prof Sir Michael Bond – Pain management in developing countries Dr Steve Gilbert – Q+As on back pain Phil Sizer – Pain Association Scotland Dr Shilpa Patel – Cultures and pain Dr Sue Peacock – Cultures, gender and pain  #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

Paul Evans looks at the often uncomfortable subject of pelvic pain and how both women and men can get help. Dr William Notcutt, expert on medicinal cannabis use, talks about the potential for pain relief, side-effects and future possibilities of the controversial drug. Nicky Jones tells her story of living with trigeminal neuralgia, with Jillie Abbot and Prof Joanna Zakrzewska providing more information. In this programme: Dr Steve Gilbert – Q+As on back pain, Pelvic Pain in Men Dr Natasha Curran- Pelvic Pain Dr William Notcutt- Cannabis and Pain Prof Joanna Zakrzewska- Facial Pain/Trigeminal Neuralgia Jillie Abbott- Trigeminal Neuralgia Nicky Jones- Living with Trigeminal Neuralgia #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

Paul Evans gets a knitting lesson when he visits the Stitchlinks group in Bath, where people use craft activities to manage their pain. Betsan Corkhill and Dr Mike Osborn talk about the medical science behind it, while the knitting group talk about their own experiences. We also meet Dr Laura Mitchell who subjects volunteers to pain tolerance testing to see how music can help relieve feelings of pain. In this programme: Betsan Corkhill- Stitchlinks Dr Mike Osborn- The Science of Stitchlinks Stitchlinks Members- Their Experiences Dr Laura Mitchell- Music and Pain #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

Paul Evans visits the Centre for Pain Services at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases at Bath to find out about the pain management programme there. Clinical Director Dr Lance McCracken explains how the programme helps people get on with their lives and we meet the patient group to learn about their experiences in living with pain, what brought them to Bath and the things they’ve learned during their time on the programme. We also hear about how the team at Bath provide specific services to younger people and how pain affects their families and sleeping habits. In this programme: Bath Patient Group- Their Experiences Dr Lance McCracken- Pain Management Programme Dr Hannah Connel- Young People and Pain Sam Barton-Growing up in Pain Jan Barton- Personal Story #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

We take a look at the role of the pain specialist nurse in the community, eavesdropping on two consultations given by Kathryn Nur at her nurse-led clinic at Tenby Cottage Hospital, Pembrokeshire. We hear how Kath helps her patients, learning about what TENS machines are, how to use them and how they can help those in pain, how acupuncture can also help, and the importance of listening to what the patient has to say. On the contentious issue of how little training medical students receive on pain matters – fewer hours than vets – Ann Taylor from the faculty of pain medicine at Cardiff University talks about a web service that may go some way towards redressing the imbalance. In this programme: Kathryn Nur, pain specialist nurse for Hywel Dda Health Board in West Wales Ann Taylor: Faculty of Pain Medicine, Cardiff University. #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

In the wake of the government’s introduction of the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) which will see all people already on incapacity benefits reassessed for their ability to work by 2014, Airing Pain discusses benefit reforms as well as how work affects those living in pain and how they can stay in, or get back into, work. Chris Main, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Keele University, and Elaine Heaver of the Bath Centre for Pain Research take us through the evidence showing the health benefits from being in work and explain how GPs now give ‘fit notes’ as well as sick notes. Paul Watson gives some advice on how to stay in work and talk to your employer and Dr Shilpa Patel talks about the barriers faced by unemployed people with chronic pain. In this programme: Elaine Heaver- Getting Back to Work Research Prof Chris Main- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Dr Shilpa Patel- Barriers to Work Prof Paul Watson- Q+A #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

Airing Pain visits the Frenchay Hospital Pain Clinic in Bristol where we hear from staff and patients. Paul Evan sits in on a consultation with physiotherapist Pete Gladwell and hears the advice given to one patient about how to increase her mobility and exercise without causing flare up. We learn about how to talk to your health professional and the different ways of assessing pain. Also covered is how well funded Pain Care is by the health services, and the patients at Frenchay tell us their stories of living with and managing pain. In this programme: Dr Cathy Stannard – Pain Specialist Pete Gladwell – Physiotherapist Sister Rose Marriot – Pain Nurse Ron Watt – Patient Mrs Margaret Howdle – Patient #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

Pacing is the thing that makes the most difference to his patients’ lives, says David Laird, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Management in County Durham. We hear about how pacing allows people to build up slowly to doing more, and Pete Moore describes getting his life back on track and becoming a patient expert on pain management. Also in the programme: Dr David Walsh provides information about the different forms of arthritis and the treatments available and Dr Paul Johnson and Nia Taylor set out some of the opportunities and challenges facing pain services over the next few years. In our Q&A session, specialist nurse Ruth Day answers your questions on painkillers. In this programme: Dr Martin Johnson Ruth Day, Pain Nurse, Torbay: (Q&A) Nia Taylor Val Conway Dr David Laird, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Management Dr David Walsh Pete Moore, Creator of the Pain Toolkit #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

Pain management programmes can ‘remove the barriers’ that prevent people with pain from living a normal life, says Dr Owen Hughes of the Pain and Fatigue Management Centre in Bronllys, Wales. Presenter Lionel Kelleway returns to the Bronllys Residential Pain Management Programme where he himself was a patient to talk with staff and patients about what happens on the programmes and also shares his own experience. Mary Rhys Williams describes her work as an occupational therapist helping patients to adjust their lifestyles and consultant Mark Turtle explains what makes a patient suitable for a pain management programme. We also hear from Sheila Day, whose partner has chronic pain, about the challenges faced by the loved ones of people with pain. In this programme: Berni Bustin- Pyschologist Rhian Evans-Living with Pain Mary Rhys Williams- Advanced Occupational Therapist Sheila Day- Living with a person in pain Tracy Thomas- Living in Pain Dr Owen Hughes- Bronllys Dr Mark Turtle-Bronllys Lionel Kellewa

In this programme Airing Pain looks at a range of lifestyle changes and psychological approaches we can use to help with managing pain. Dr Rae Bell tells us how a good diet can help in managing pain, telling us about foods which are natural painkillers and why we should perhaps give cola a miss. Ron Parsons describes the exercise routine which has helped him to manage his lower back pain. Prof Chris Main discusses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Vidyamala Burch explains how mindfulness can help people to live in the moment and accept pain while overcoming fear, anxiety and depression. Pain specialist Dr Mark Turtle answers your questions on weight loss, getting referred to a pain management programme by your GP and coping with visits to the dentist in our Q+A session. In this programme: Dr Rae Frances Bell (diet)- Head of Multidisciplinary Clinic, Haukland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway Vidyamala Burch- Mindfulness Ron Parsons- Patient Interview Prof Chris Main- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Chronic pain is as widespread in children and young people as in the population as a whole, but is probably even less well understood. Jan Barton and her son Sam, who grew up in constant pain, discuss their struggle to get a proper diagnosis and to find effective treatment, while, Dr Christina Liossi explains how hypnosis can be particularly valuable as an approach to managing pain for children. Dr Amanda Williams describes the psychologist’s role in helping patients manage their pain and Dr Tonya Palermo explains how a psychologist can explain pain to young people. We also pay tribute to the late Claire Rayner, indefatigable campaigner for patients’ rights and patron of Pain Concern, who died October 12th aged 79. In this programme: Heather Wallace- Claire Rayner Tribute Dr Martin Johnson- Claire Rayner Claire Rayner- Patron’s Voice Sam Barton- Growing up in Pain Jan Barton- Growing up with Pain Dr Tonya Palermo- Children in Pain Dr Christina Liossi- Children in Pain and Hypnosis #AbleRadio #Airin

Elizabeth Carrigan of the Australian Pain Management Association talks about how pain management techniques helped her come to terms with chronic neuropathic pain after spinal injury. We speak to experts on neuropathic pain about how nerve damage can lead to prolonged pain and the drug treatments available, including amitriptyline, anti-epileptic drugs and the more controversial opioids. We also take a look at the issue of chronic pain after nerves are damaged in surgery or chemotherapy. Also in the programme: Dr Mark Turtle is in the chair for our Q&A session providing answers to your questions about living with and managing pain. In this programme:  Dr Steve Allen -Neuropathic Pain Elizabeth Carrigan- Living with Pain Professor Blair Smith- Neuropathic Pain Lionel Kelleway- Living with Pain Jan Barton- Growing up in Pain Dr Mick Serpell – Neuropathic Pain Dr Paul Farquar-Smith -Post-operative Pain Dr Julie Bruce – Post-operative Pain #AbleRadio #AiringPain #PainConcern

In this first Airing Pain programme we introduce the subject of pain and its management with contributors with a variety of expertise and experience. Professors Blair Smith and Richard Langford take us through the causes of chronic pain and conditions associated with it, while Sherrill Snelgrove and Kiera Jones talk about the challenges faced by patients in being understood by the health professions. Dr Beverly Collett and explains the importance of the patients’ own understanding in managing their condition and keeping active. We also feature short interviews with some of the experts we’ll hear more from in later programmes: Professor David Walsh discusses the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in helping patients to manage their pain, Professor Nick Alcott and Claire Rayner encourage older people to get help with their pain and Nicole Tang talks about how people with pain can improve their sleep, and finally, Pete Moore give some words of encouragement based on his own experience of learning to l