Airing Pain

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