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The first port
of call in the treatment of chronic pain would normally be your
General Practitioner (GP). It is your GP who would prescribe
medication, and would make referrals for further treatment options,
such as referrals to Hospital or for Pain
Clinic Treatment.
Treatment
options available from GP
Medication is
just one of the options available to the chronic pain
sufferer. Please click here for an in depth look at the
usually prescribed medication
and its potential side-effects.
Because of the
'medical model' of treatment which is so prevalent in the UK, it it
usual practice for GP's to prescribe medication to control the
associated problems of chronic pain. Therefore sleeping
tablets are invariably prescribed for insomnia, whilst
anti-depressants and anxiolytics are given for depression and
anxiety. If possible, ask your GP whether you would
benefit from these medications or whether other treatment options
could be more effective.
It may prove
useful if your GP is forward thinking, to discuss the benefits of
relaxation and breathing techniques / exercises, about what types of
physical activity and dietary changes could possibly be of
help.
Ask your GP if physical
therapy would be of use, as in many cases a referral to
physiotherapy can be particularly effective.
Many GP's now have trained
counsellors attached to their practice. Ask your GP if
counselling would benefit you from the psychological toll of chronic
pain.
Your GP can also give you
referrals for services and organizations in your community,
naturally if you do live in the Derbyshire area please feel free to contact
us
TREATMENT PROTOCOLS AVAILABLE FROM SOUTHERN DERBYSHIRE PAIN
CLINIC
An outpatient based
assessment and treatment service is provided for the people of
Derbyshire suffering with the effects of chronic pain, based at the
Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and Derby City General Hospital.
Pain Management is part of the Critical Care
Directorate.
The Consultants
are
- Dr P Bavister
- Dr A Searle
The General Manager is Ian
Pettit.
The service includes
- Epidurals
including Botox
injections and Continuous epidural analgesia
- Nerve
Blocks
- Acupuncture
- TENS
machines
- Drug
therapy
- Cognitive
Behavioural Rehabilitation
- Pain
Management Programme
- Patient controlled
analgesia (PCAS)
Clinic schedule and
times
Mon
am Dr Searle / Nurse Specialist
- Mrs Walker
Mon
pm Clinical
procedures
Tue
am TENS Clinic
Wed
pm Dr Bavister / Nurse Specialist -
Mrs Walker
Thurs
am Nurse Specialist - Mrs Walker
Fri
am Dr
Searle
Fri
pm Dr Bavister /
Nurse Specialist - Mrs Walker
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