New service is a real relief to pain sufferers

Published on Saturday 12 July 2008 10:49

INCREASING numbers of patients are benefiting from a chronic pain relief service based in the Lothians.

The service pools the expertise of physiotherapists, psychologists, specialist nurses, consultant anaesthetists and a rehabilitation specialist to help people cope with incurable pain.

It was set up in the 1990s but is continuing to grow and saw 1142 new patients treated in the Western General and Astley Ainslie hospitals in the last year.

John McLennan, the service’s lead physiotherapist, said: “For 300 years, persistent pain was seen as directly relating to pathological processes.

“Lately, motivational interviewing techniques are helping patients change. Telling someone they need to be more active and ‘ignore the pain’ isn’t helpful.

“Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness encourage patients to pursue values that are important in their lives.”