Help on hand for Angus residents living with chronic pain
TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Help on hand for Angus residents living with chronic pain
Chronic pain is one of the most common long term conditions affecting the Angus population but education and support is available locally.
Chronic pain, a pain that has lasted for longer than three months, affects an estimated one in five Angus residents.
Rhona Guild, Long Term Conditions Lead with Angus Health & Social Care Partnership said, “Chronic pain is complex and impacts on people’s physical and emotional health as well as their general day-to-day lives.
“Ensuring that people have access to support and education is therefore critical and has been a priority for Angus Health & Social Care Partnership for many years.
“Staying physically active is important in helping to manage chronic pain in the long term so it’s important for people to find an activity that is enjoyable and start slowly and gradually building up the duration and intensity of any activity over time. There are many options for activity in Angus, particularly given the beautiful countryside we live in.
“All ANGUSalive sports centres offer adapted activity options for people living with long term conditions, including pain. Pop into your local facility or give them a call to discuss what might suit you. All ANGUSalive libraries, including the mobile library vans, carry a stock of chronic pain books with additional titles due to be added in the next month.
“Pain Association Scotland has a very useful website www.chronicpaininfo.org and runs education courses in Forfar and Arbroath on the third Monday of every month covering topics such as understanding chronic pain and managing flare ups.
“People who attend appreciate the opportunity to learn more about their pain as well as the opportunity to meet and share information with others living with the condition. For more information, see the website or call 0800 783 6059.
“Pain Association also run a five-week intensive course, covering the key principles of chronic pain and its management. The next course takes place in February 2018 in Monifieth and is free to any adult living in Angus or registered with an Angus general practice.
“Those unable to access the Pain Association courses can use an online course called ‘Pathway through Pain’ which is free for any adult living in Angus or registered with an Angus general practice. The course guides participants through a set of pain management techniques that help reduce the impact of pain on daily life. People who have completed the course tell us that they feel less anxious and depressed with many saying they feel more in control of their pain.”
Places on the Pain Association course and the Pathway through Pain course must be booked in advance by emailing achppatientcourses.tayside@nhs.net or calling 01307 474889.
Contact:
Gaynyr Dickson
NHS Tayside Communications
01382 424138
