Dr Krishna Bakhshi, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Management says: “We believe that early treatment leads to a quicker, more complete recovery, substantially reducing the number of patients requiring surgery or proceeding to disability. In doing so, we hope to enable them to resume more normal, productive lives”.

Julia Buckler, a staff nurse with severe neck, arm and back pain avoided surgery by being referred to the Painless Clinic. She says: “A lot of ordinary people don’t even know that pain clinics exist.  Even I, as a nurse, was cynical about what could really be done. As a working mother with a successful career, I was a complete mess not able to work or sleep. I now have my life back”.

Another pain sufferer Jo Carr, a line dance teacher, suffered back and leg pain which was so great that by the time she was referred to the Painless Clinic she was hardly able to walk. Following injection treatment, she is now almost pain free and has returned to dancing full time. She says: “I probably wouldn’t be here now, I was so desperate. In the early 1990’s when no one really knew about pain clinics I had two major back operations, but years later when I was ready to give up on my life, it was the pain service that saved me. I have never been more grateful to anyone in my life”.

Examples like this show how important it is that people are aware that pain therapy is readily accessible. Dr Evans, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Management comments: “Chronic pain can take over your life. It is important to acknowledge that each patient’s problem is individual, affecting their whole wellbeing. They also need the reassurance that treatment is available and the benefits and support are long-term”.