Public PAC event on the topic of Managing Pain

Soroptimists of Elmbridge and Woking hosted a very successful public meeting which looked at the topic of Chronic Pain.  Aproximately 50 people attended the meeting and heard Lorraine Nanke, Clinical Psychologist, speak about her work in Pain Management for the NHS.

Chronic pain affects about 7.8 million people of all ages in the UK and yet there are no evidence-based remedies for pain management. Chronic pain is defined as long-term pain that persists for more than 12 weeks or for a period after the time that healing would have been thought to have occurred following trauma or surgery. This is distinct from acute pain which demands urgent attention and then eventually disappears.

Chronic pain focuses attention on the body.  It can lead to physical and mental withdrawal from social activity and the individual can struggle to make others believe the level of discomfort they are suffering. The current range of treatments tend to only offer short term benefits but in the long term the person sees little change and enters a cycle of  increasing and decreasing levels of pain.  The curtailment of activity and social interaction has an effect on a person’s sense of identity and self esteem.  Many sufferers experience periods of depression as a consequence.

A pain management clinic aims to prevent the downward spiral outlined above.  Patients are helped to develop a sense of an ideal “me, with pain”. Control is given back to the patient.  Conventional medicine has a place in the care of the person and pain management works along side this.

The audience heard how the Diocese of Guildford is promoting and supporting the establishment of Pain Support Groups.  The groups are informal gatherings of chronic pain sufferers, their families, friends and carers.  Monthly meetings include speakers on subjects from health to hobbies. Hand massage, art therapy, spiritual support and trained Listeners are available. The approach is holistic and the focus is on how to live well with pain; it’s about life, not just the pain.