Chemists’ chronic pain help
Pharmacies in Forth Valley are lending their support to a charity which offers a lifeline to people who suffer from chronic pain.
Over a million people in Scotland live with long-term chronic pain with many left unable to cope and feeling isolated.
Pain Association Scotland is a unique charity which, through self-management education sessions, can help improve the quality of life of sufferers by teaching them how to selfmanage their pain, empowering them to live independently in their community and ultimately enjoy a better quality of life.
Now, 69 community pharmacies in the Forth Valley area are handing out Pain Association Scotland information cards alongside prescriptions for chronic pain medication. It is hoped the cards will help make chronic pain sufferers aware that there is help available through the charity.
Adam Osprey, Policy and Development Pharmacist for Community Pharmacy Scotland, said:“Community Pharmacy Scotland are delighted to be working with
Pain Association Scotland to raise awareness of the services that they provide.
“Chronic pain can be debilitating, and community pharmacy teams are well versed in supporting people suffering from the condition with their medication and other needs. I have no doubt that this new resource and ability to refer will be welcomed warmly by pharmacy teams and in turn their patients.”
The charity helps almost 4,000 people every year and has extended its service in response to the Scottish Government’s winter remobilisation work.
Over the past 18 months, as Covid-19 took its toll on the NHS, impacting the provision of pain management clinics and leading to lengthy waiting lists, demand for Pain Association Scotland’s services increased with the charity delighted to be able to step up provision without any gaps in service.
Professor Sonia Cottom, Director of Pain Association Scotland, said:“Chronic pain can be severe and can have a massive impact on people’s lives, their work, their family, and can leave people isolated, depressed and anxious.
“For 33 years we have pioneered the development and delivery of selfmanagement which aims to provide participants with the understanding and skills necessary to manage their condition more effectively, to improve their self-efficacy, daily functioning, mood, health literacy and sense of being in control. Sessions are not a cure for pain but rather to help people address the issues that can exacerbate pain, such as poor sleep, stress, lack of activity and the difficulties people have in accepting their condition.
“There are no waiting lists, and they are free to attend. You will not be judged and never be asked about your condition unless you want to discuss it.”
Pain Association meetings moved online at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and anyone can attend the online sessions which run throughout the year. Each session is led by an expert who can give practical advice.
The focus is to introduce people to, and quickly build self-management skills, thereby creating practical, positive change, leading to an improved quality of life and well-being.
Each group practices self-management techniques such as deep breathing, relaxation, and balanced, gentle movement for mobility. Those who attend will find themselves with people in a similar situation, who understand and empathise with problems and concerns about chronic pain.
For more information about selfmanagement and meetings, please visit painassociation.co.uk.