What should you know about St Thomas pain management programme?

This type of programme is structured around living more confidently with ongoing pain, rather than promising that pain will disappear. A team may include a pain physician, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurse, and psychologist. Sessions can cover pacing, sleep, movement, relaxation, communication, and ways to adapt work or home tasks. Fibromyalgia is one condition for which a coordinated approach may be discussed, but suitability depends on your symptoms, health, and goals.

Bring a list of medicines, previous treatments, medical conditions, and activities that pain makes difficult. Set practical goals, such as standing longer, returning to a hobby, or managing a household task. During sessions, increase activity gradually and record how your body responds. Use the pacing plan between visits, while telling the team if an exercise causes new weakness, marked swelling, or a lasting flare. Your clinician can explain the specific Pain Management Programme pathway available to you.

Contact your treating team promptly if pain changes sharply, you develop new numbness or weakness, or medicine causes concerning effects such as severe drowsiness, confusion, or breathing difficulty. Seek urgent medical help for chest pain, fainting, sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, or rapidly worsening weakness. These symptoms need assessment separately from routine programme progress.

Ask which team members will see you, how goals will be measured, what home practice is expected, and how a flare should be handled. You can also ask whether your current medicines need review and which activities should be modified while you build tolerance.