"Chronic Pain Service - give it a try"

If you have chronic pain (defined as for longer than 3 months and not normally responsive to the usual painkillers) you may not be aware that there is help for you. In my case I have virtually permanent neuropathic pain from scarring on my spinal cord. Nothing really works for this, so I found out about this service at the NGH and got my GP to refer me. I attended an 8 week pain management programme and learnt about how pain works and why painkillers often dont!. I tried a number of "alternative" treatments including nerve blocks, but got particular benefit from some hypnotherapy. Val taught me how to use relaxation techniques to "turn down" my pain, and I have found it a real help. If you have tried everything else ask your GP to refer you. I think there is a similar service at the Hallamshire too.