NHS chronic pain course

[lew07]

Hi Guys. I’ve had lower chronic back pain for over a decade. Done the physio and chiropractor thing but it persists. I’ve been asked if I would like to attend a chronic pain management course. Has anyone been on one please? How was it? I realised ages ago that there is no miracle cure but thought it may be worth a try as been very down about it recently.

[watchstudent]

I think what you get out of it will very much depend on your attitude going into it.

The course is likely to be based on helping you manage with your pain rather than getting rid of it. Modern medicine is pretty rubbish at dealing with chronic pain, simply because there just isn't an easy fix. Have a look at this video. If the video makes you feel a bit pissed off and like you are being fobbed off then that attitude is likely to make the course less helpful for you, if the video strikes a bit of a chord and makes sense then the course will likely be very useful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_3phB93rvI&t=43s

[reggie747]

Hi Guys. I’ve had lower chronic back pain for over a decade. Done the physio and chiropractor thing but it persists. I’ve been asked if I would like to attend a chronic pain management course. Has anyone been on one please? How was it? I realised ages ago that there is no miracle cure but thought it may be worth a try as been very down about it recently.

Don't bother, it'll be a waste of your time. Pain management talks is utter bollocks.
Push your Dr to send you for an MRI scan to see exactly what is causing the problem then push for surgery. Don't give up.
If you can afford to, see a private consultant and have a private MRI then join the NHS line for an op.

[watchstudent]

For most people this is pretty terrible advice. I have seen the aftermath of many a back surgery when people have pushed and pushed for it or ended up paying for it. Letting a surgeon anywhere near your back should be an absolutely last resort in most people.

Don't bother, it'll be a waste of your time. Pain management talks is utter bollocks.
Push your Dr to send you for an MRI scan to see exactly what is causing the problem then push for surgery. Don't give up.
If you can afford to, see a private consultant and have a private MRI then join the NHS line for an op.

[reggie747]

For most people this is pretty terrible advice. I have seen the aftermath of many a back surgery when people have pushed and pushed for it or ended up paying for it. Letting a surgeon anywhere near your back should be an absolutely last resort in most people.

The pain.......suck it up then I guess

[watchstudent]

The pain.......suck it up then I guess

The reality is that there are some conditions that actually cannot be fixed with western medicine. Medics can do patients a disservice when they pretend they can fix it. There are methods to try and help people manage. Watch the video.

[Passenger]

For most people this is pretty terrible advice. I have seen the aftermath of many a back surgery when people have pushed and pushed for it or ended up paying for it. Letting a surgeon anywhere near your back should be an absolutely last resort in most people.

This happened to a friend of mine here in Spain, she's in much worse condition/ pain post the Op.

[OldHooky]

Hi Guys. I’ve had lower chronic back pain for over a decade. Done the physio and chiropractor thing but it persists. I’ve been asked if I would like to attend a chronic pain management course. Has anyone been on one please? How was it? I realised ages ago that there is no miracle cure but thought it may be worth a try as been very down about it recently.

Try it, then judge it is best. Not for everyone

I've had physio, manipulation (various) and then surgery, as that was the only real option. MRIs don't lie.

Then the obvious things of committing to building up core strength, and a good chair. Crap ones will set you back. Expensive, but so is pain.

Acupuncture is brilliant if only temporary.

[Linocut]

Your question raises a lot of ithers. Did you injure your back at xome point? professional sport? Are you overweight eg big beer belly? (no offence, I've got one). What's your mattress like? Do you slouch on a sofa or sit upright? What's your job? Did you really and truly do all of the physio's exercises to the letter?

I injured my back at 18 and I've had chronic pain ever since, getting worse as I age. MRI in later life after years of similar chiropractic and osteopathy nonsense, manipulation under anaesthetic etc shows three herniared discs, the doctor said that surgery would be endgame stuff, only if I could no longer walk

But the point is that I can actively minimise the pain by sitting properly, having the very best mattress I can afford, I'm lucky that after years of physical jobs I'm a sedentary worker so I can try to adopt good posture there, and I do exercises to strengthen the abdo muscles. When I do drop weight alittle, it gets better too.

My rather long winded point is that if you're not already doing things to minimise the pain, there's a lot that can be done. Then, nsaid's have moved on massively, I find diclofenac extremely effective and I think there are other drugs available through prescription.

If you're already doing all that then I've nothing to offer but sympathy and fellowship :)

[sundial]

If you have not tried The 'turmeric and black pepper' remedy for back pain, please consider it – but don't buy the tablets - mix your own using ground turmeric (available in most supermarkets' cookery sections) and a black pepper grinder. I add the ground ingredients to my porridge.

[OldHooky]

Your question raises a lot of ithers. Did you injure your back at xome point? professional sport? Are you overweight eg big beer belly? (no offence, I've got one). What's your mattress like? Do you slouch on a sofa or sit upright? What's your job? Did you really and truly do all of the physio's exercises to the letter?

I injured my back at 18 and I've had chronic pain ever since, getting worse as I age. MRI in later life after years of similar chiropractic and osteopathy nonsense, manipulation under anaesthetic etc shows three herniared discs, the doctor said that surgery would be endgame stuff, only if I could no longer walk

But the point is that I can actively minimise the pain by sitting properly, having the very best mattress I can afford, I'm lucky that after years of physical jobs I'm a sedentary worker so I can try to adopt good posture there, and I do exercises to strengthen the abdo muscles. When I do drop weight alittle, it gets better too.

My rather long winded point is that if you're not already doing things to minimise the pain, there's a lot that can be done. Then, nsaid's have moved on massively, I find diclofenac extremely effective and I think there are other drugs available through prescription.

If you're already doing all that then I've nothing to offer but sympathy and fellowship :)

Sounds similar. I had one of the three discs operated on twice in Dec (herniated again the day before discharge), but that's now sorted. The other two are not as bad, so I have a few years before needing anything further.

Recovery wasn't fast, partly as I continued with the same diet, burning almost no calories. Now 9kg lighter, core strength up, middle age spread mostly gone, love handles gone, and even some evidence of a #pack of some sort coming back, it's remarkable. No painkillers now, but the seat and not standing often enough is a killer.

Personal fitness instructor was a lifesaver. 20 minutes a day changed me mentally and physically.
Joe Wicks. Will be eternally gratefully for his school sessions and now mine.

[A440]

Are you able to go swimming? I had a prolapsed disc when I was younger leaving my back vulnerable and the pain was terrible. Swimming 1km twice a week works wonders for me.

[julian2002]

I have had chronic back pain along with sciatica for many years, mostly managed but when it goes, it goes. Recently I have been attending a pain clinic for various treatments, mainly massage and tens type stuff. It’s certainly made things a lot better and most days I wake up lower back pain free where before I’d have medium to severe pain every morning. It’s not a panacea as it does still hurt sometimes but it’s certainly better. In the end, it can’t hurt to try..

[lew07]

Thank You for all the replies. It’s good to hear them. I have a slight sideways curve of the spine but the bigger problem is there is little disc in 2 of My lower vertebrae. I would also add I am 60. Movements can be very stiff in this area also a dull ache. Surprisingly I don’t get sciatica. Lying flat is fine ,walking fine sitting on Sofa’s is painful and careless bending or twisting is definitely to be avoided.Cautious swimming is also not a problem .

[mav112]

If you have not tried The 'turmeric and black pepper' remedy for back pain, please consider it – but don't buy the tablets - mix your own using ground turmeric (available in most supermarkets' cookery sections) and a black pepper grinder. I add the ground ingredients to my porridge.

This has worked for me , back has been. lot better since taking them , 60 mile bike ride Today. couldnt get on the bike a few Months back, i buy the high strenth ones off amazon

maybe worth a try


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[wildheart]

Hi Guys. I’ve had lower chronic back pain for over a decade. Done the physio and chiropractor thing but it persists. I’ve been asked if I would like to attend a chronic pain management course. Has anyone been on one please? How was it? I realised ages ago that there is no miracle cure but thought it may be worth a try as been very down about it recently.

I'm very sorry for your suffering. I lived with horrendous Sciatica, before paying for a Spine decompression operation last year. It may help others, but I found the NHS Pain management useless. In fact they rang me a fortnight ago to see how I was copping? A year after my operation. I spent thousands on physio's a complete waste of money. Get an MRI scan and go see a Spinal surgeon. I can PM you my Consultant if you'd like?

[The Doc]

Don't bother, it'll be a waste of your time. Pain management talks is utter bollocks.
Push your Dr to send you for an MRI scan to see exactly what is causing the problem then push for surgery. Don't give up.
If you can afford to, see a private consultant and have a private MRI then join the NHS line for an op.

This is very bad advice.
Sorry, but don't ever push for surgery. Reach the decision with your surgeon or specialist.

[Mj2k]

If you have not tried The 'turmeric and black pepper' remedy for back pain, please consider it – but don't buy the tablets - mix your own using ground turmeric (available in most supermarkets' cookery sections) and a black pepper grinder. I add the ground ingredients to my porridge.

Sounds worth a go for my shoulder. Thanks.

[Mj2k]

This is very bad advice.
Sorry, but don't ever push for surgery. Reach the decision with your surgeon or specialist.

2 doctors agree with it being poor advice. I know where I’d be basing my approach from that!