Airing Pain

t the launch of the National Pain Audit at the Science Museum in London, Paul Evans talks to people who took a leading role in its development about the need for an audit and what their findings suggest needs to be done in the future. For the first time, the Audit will make available to patients and healthcare professionals detailed information on local pain management services. Richard Langford a...

Paul Evans speaks to Professor David Taylor from the University College London School of Pharmacy about the perceptions and reality of the pharmacist’s role and their skills. Pharmacist Emma Hinks talks about how pharmacists can help you with services like the Medicines Use Review (MUR), which looks at how you are getting on with your medicines. We also hear about the increasing emphasis on pharma...

In this programme Professor Lorimer Moseley, Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Chair in Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia, explains the relationship between chronic pain and the brain, incorporating personal stories which illuminate this relationship. The importance of providing good explanations of pain to those living with it is also looked at. According to Moseley, the ev...

In this programme we explore issues affecting the management of chronic pain across the diverse societies of Europe. In May 2012 over 400 delegates representing 35 European countries met in Copenhagen at the third Societal Impact of Pain conference organised by EFIC (the European Federation of the International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters). Airing Pain was there to listen in and spe...

A special edition of Airing Pain , covering the 2012 Northern Ireland Pain Summit, organised by the Pain Alliance for Northern Ireland. There we interviewed representatives from government and the voluntary sector, health professionals, and of course patients. We hear about the needs of patients and provision of pain services in Northern Ireland from, among others, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michae...

In this programme we look at ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a form of arthritis affecting the spine. Paul Evans speaks to Iain MacDonald and Tom Downie of the Edinburgh branch of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, about their role in supporting people with the condition. Paul also talks to Janice Johnson of PSALV (Psoriasis Scotland Arthritis Link Volunteers) about psoriasis. We also inter...

We hear about orofacial pain (pain of the face and mouth) from Dr Barry Sessle, a professor in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto in Canada. Dr Sessle also explains why some types of chronic pain are more common in women than men. Continuing with this topic, clinical psychologist Dr Amanda Williams talks about pelvic pain and the difficulties men in particular have in coming for...

Airing Pain sheds some light on pain management programmes: what they are, and how they can help. Paul Evans pays a visit to the Glasgow Pain Management Programme where he talks to health professionals and patients. The programme’s clinical leader, consultant clinical psychologist Martin Dunbar, explains how his team help patients rebuild their lives despite continuing to experience pain. We hear...

In this programme we feature two areas of research which are helping in the understanding of pain. Professor Karen Davis, a neuroscientist at the University of Toronto, Canada, explains how brain-imaging technology has revealed the overlap between experiences of pain and other sensations such as fear. Dr Yves De Koninck, Director of the Quebec Pain Research Network, discusses how the latest resear...

How can patients with chronic pain get involved with research into managing their condition? Paul Evans talks to SUCCESS (Service Users with Chronic Conditions Encouraging Sensible Solutions) a group of patients, carers and former patients with experience of chronic conditions who work with researchers at Swansea University. The service users get involved with advising research teams working on he...

Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 2.7 million people in the UK, yet it is a condition which is poorly understood leaving the people with it often facing ignorance and prejudice. Presenter Paul Evans, who has fibromyalgia himself, talks with Lexy Barber about her experiences of coping with it. We also hear from Professor Ernest Choy and Professor Dwight Moulin about advances in medical knowledge of...

In the previous edition of Airing Pain we featured the work of the charity, Arthritis Care, and, following up from that programme, Paul Evans looks into their self-management programme, the Challenging Pain Workshop, which is available to people with any kind of chronic pain, not just arthritis. We listen in to the course’s volunteer tutors and participants as they discuss learning to pace activit...

In this programme we tackle the issue, raised by Judy on our forum, of how people with arthritis – which often has no obvious physical symptoms – can get help in explaining their condition to those around them. Professor David Walsh explains about the different kinds of arthritis. Jo Cumming, Kate Llewelyn and Minal Smith of Arthritis Care talk about their own experiences of the challenges of livi...

The relationship between doctor and patient is crucial in managing pain. In this programme we look at how the British Pain Society’s newly launched Pain Patient Pathways Project should improve the way health professionals manage chronic pain conditions. We’ll hear from a patient about her varied experiences with health professionals and from doctors involved with treating pain about the importance...

Nine out of ten people report a lifetime history of head pain and 2012 has been designated the Global Year Against Headache by the International Association of the Study of Pain. Paul Evans finds out more about migraines from Dr Giles Elrington of the National Migraine Centre in London. We also hear from people who live with chronic migraine about their experiences, what triggers their episodes an...

Paul Evans takes the plunge with Daphne Wood of Pain and Able to find out more about how swimming combined with the Alexander Technique can help people with persistent pain conditions. Physiotherapist and Pain Concern expert advisor Paul Cameron answers listeners’ questions on issues from dehydrated spinal discs to losing weight to reduce pain. In this programme: Daphne Wood, Pain and Able  Paul C...

Paul Evans talks to Sunny Boshoff about her experience of complex regional pain syndrome and learns more about the causes of the condition from Dr Bill Macrae. We also hear from him and Dr Joan Hester about their work counselling and treating patients requiring limb amputations, including the use of the Visual Feedback Mirror to help those who have phantom sensations in their amputated limb. In th...

People with mental illness and chronic pain often find it difficult to access the treatment they need. Specialist nurse Valerie Conway talks about her work in providing carers with the skills to better look after people with Alzheimer’s and dementia who have pain. Measuring pain through facial expressions is one way in which health professionals can become more aware of the needs of those who are...

In this programme we hear about the challenges facing people with chronic pain in isolated parts of the country and how a pain management programme in the Highlands is helping such patients. Dr Cathy Stannard clears up some of the misunderstandings surrounding opioids and explains when they can and can’t help with chronic pain and the possible side-effects of taking them. In thsi programme: Jackie...

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 polic...

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 th...

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...

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 bra...

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...

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...