Action for Pain

About Action for Pain

Working in partnership with NHS Lothian, Edinburgh based charity Health All Round offers a range of activities for people experiencing chronic pain. The key programme we deliver is called Action for Pain. Action for Pain is run jointly with Dr Barbara Phipps an NHS GP with a special interest in Chronic Pain and Ed Giles, the programme co-ordinator from Health All Round.

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than 3 months. Typically, after an injury or surgery most people start feeling better within a few months. However, sometimes the pain persists for longer or may even appear without any actual injury. We call it primary chronic pain that is defined as pain that persists or recurs for more than three months and isn't adequately explained by an underlying condition, injury, or disease, or its impact is out of proportion to any identifiable cause.

Treatments that work for acute pain such as medications, rest, heat, cold etc. are generally much less successful for the treatment of primary chronic pain. Chronic pain can be a very isolating experience affecting many areas of everyday life: family relationships; friendships; ability to work or engage in social activities; reduced ability to carry out practical tasks.

Action for Pain is a free 6-week group programme to support people in chronic pain. It is delivered in South West Edinburgh, but is open to people who are able to travel from the wider Edinburgh area. The programme will help you understand your pain, and highlight effective ways to manage and improve your pain.

You will have opportunities to meet with others who are also struggling with chronic pain and have the opportunity to speak with someone who has recovered from chronic primary pain and illness. Many people find this helpful - knowing they are not alone, that there are other people out there who truly understand what they are going through.