Websites
British Pain Concern– Helpful information section for patients with pain conditions, and details of various support groups, including guidance supported by available evidence on clinical and other pain matters.
Pain Concern– provides support for those with pain and their carers, and has factsheets and leaflets on different aspects of chronic pain and self-management. It also contains Airing Pain, a series of regular podcasts on living with pain, which can be downloaded for free.
Royal College of Anaesthetists– good practice in prescribing opioid medicines for pain should reflect fundamental principles in prescribing generally. The decision to prescribe is underpinned by applying best professional practice; understanding the condition, the patient and their context and understanding the clinical use of the drug. This resource, developed by UK healthcare professionals and policymakers, provides the information to support a safe and effective prescribing decision.
Brain man -understanding pain in less than 5 minutes A video explaining chronic pain in less than 5 minutes.
Self-management
Pain Toolkit– a practical guide to self-management of chronic pain, with a detailed ‘toolkit’ which can be printed out. It is also available in French, German and Italian.
http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/– this self-management site helps individuals think about emotional problems and work towards solving them.
Reconnect 2 life– An interactive program to help you look at pain and how it affects individuals. It consists of a six modules which can be completed in any order (understanding pain, improving health & fitness, changing the way you think & feel, reconnecting with your valvues, creating skills for the future and specific conditions.
Low mood, anxiety, sleep difficulties and other problemsow mood, anxiety, sleep difficulties and other problems
www.mind.org.uk – the National Association for Mental Health provides information on mental health difficulties. The ‘Factsheets and booklets listed by subjects’ section contains free booklets on a wide variety of mental health issues, plus details of other resources and links to other useful organisations.
www.mentalhealth.org.uk – The Mental Health Foundation website provides information on the UK’s leading mental health research, and the ‘Publications’ section offers a number of useful publications for purchase or download
Condition Specific Websites
Back pain
www.backcare.org.uk – specifically for people with lower back and general back pain. There is a forum and helpline available, as well as useful information on back pain and care.
https://www.sheffieldachesandpains.com/back-and-neck/home/ – This website provides information, advice and resources from Sheffield clinicians to help patients get back to health (? Appropriate)
Fibromyalgia
www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org – information on fibromyalgia and how to manage the condition, and details of local support groups and help lines within your area.
Arthritis
www.arthritisresearchuk.org – Arthritis Research UK (formerly the Arthritis Research Campaign) website. Contains a very helpful section called ‘Arthritis Information’ with information on various aspects of arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions including hypermobility and fibromyalgia, as well as low back pain.
www.arthritiscare.org.uk – Arthritis Care website. A website specifically for patients with lots of information on different arthritis related conditions, as well as a forum with trained workers, and a helpline. There is also information on local support groups.
Pelvic pain
www.pelvicpain.org.uk – the Pelvic Pain Support Network provides information, plus a message forum for members where they can find support and ask advice of other members of the public. Conditions covered include endometriosis, vulval pain, prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and interstitial cystitis.
Vulval pain
www.vulvalpainsociety.org – the Vulval Pain Society provides information and support for women suffering from vestibulodynia and vulvodynia. It is a confidential service for women who suffer from vulval pain. It also has details of support groups which operate in London and other areas of the U.K.
Endometriosis
www.endometriosis-uk.org – this charity provides information and support on many aspects of endometriosis, from causes to treatment. There is also a telephone helpline run by trained volunteers. Until 2006, the organisation was known as the National Endometriosis Society.
Loin pain haematuria syndrome
www.kidney.org.uk – the National Kidney Federation website has useful information leaflets on loin pain-haematuria syndrome.
