conditions - Chronic pain

Pain is a protective mechanism. It acts as a warning system, to prevent us from doing something harmful and to make us look after an injured part. When we have an acute pain, we expect it to be short-lived and are prepared to accept treatments and take medication, sometimes in high doses, to help get us through. But when it is a matter of chronic, or persistent pains, the situation is different.

Once you know the cause of the chronic pain and also know that it no longer serves a useful purpose, it becomes a question of how to live with it. Suffering pain on and on is very tiring so may make us irritable, miserable or even frankly depressed. Then it can become a vicious cycle, because in this frame of mind we are less able to deal with the pain.

A programme is needed to manage the pain. This will be made up of several different elements, tailored to suit each individual. Because of their effectiveness, CAM therapies are now a common component of Pain Clinics, including those provided by the NHS.

Here at Calverley Clinic we have several key elements for the management of chronic pain. First, exercise where appropriate can be safely undertaken using the facilities in our gym. There is a lot of evidence to show that activity helps to mask pain. Second, acupuncture is amazingly effective a treating many kinds of pain, particularly musculo-skeletal pain. Third, hypnotherapy has been repeatedly shown to help deal with chronic pain. And finally, relaxation through reflexology, massage and aromatherapy fights off the weariness and tension of pain.