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A nine week programme for patients
The group programme is led by a specialist pain psychologist and physiotherapist, with additional input from other pain clinicians.
The group is also supported by patients who have personal experience of the service (known as experts by experience).
Research suggests that groups can be an effective way of empowering people to manage pain in their daily lives. The aim of the programme is to help people manage and cope better, despite pain, to live well and does not focus on removing pain (although some people can experience pain reduction).
The programme runs for nine weeks and includes three sessions per week. It is intensive to help with building ‘good habits’ and to encourage neuroplasticity (new circuits in the nervous system). Usually around 10 people attend the group, who all have long term pain in common as well as other defining qualities. We aim to help you think about your ‘best hopes’ for yourself on the programme, and tap into your existing expertise with regards to ‘living well’.
The programme includes education sessions, including information on the latest research in pain science and the nervous system. The sessions will explore how pain provides a ‘threat system’ which protects us and keeps us safe from further damage to our bodies. Sometimes, this very complex system can become too protective, and even when the body is healthy, people can continue to experience high levels of pain. The programme explores ways in which these pain signals can perhaps be softened, a bit like a volume button on a radio.
The programme includes exercise, education and therapy sessions, which have been shown to be effective components of pain management for lots of people. The atmosphere within the group is supportive and encouraging. People say as little or as much as they feel comfortable with, and their confidentiality is respected.
There are breaks and the opportunity to walk around, stretch and change position at any time. People often bring small items from home that increase their comfort such as cushions or footrests.
Why come to the PMP?
- To think through what ‘living well despite pain’ might look like for you, and to notice and develop your existing strengths and skills
- To feel more empowered in coping with pain
- To increase your fitness
- To discover aspects of ‘mindful living’
- To think about how to manage daily tasks more easily
- To understand pain better
- To increase wellbeing, confidence, satisfaction with life and to feel more hopeful
- To meet and share ideas with others in a supportive environment.
Attending groups can be very helpful to many people in creating changes they want in their lives. For some people, this can be quite dramatic. By their own efforts and with the help of other group members, people can make significant improvements to their lives. The group involves education and discussion sessions, plus exercise sessions. There are three sessions per week, lasting for nine weeks.
Living well and coping with long term pain
Educational topics covered include:
- Exploring personal hopes and strengths
- Pain mechanisms, education and neuroscience
- Threat, safety and soothing systems
- Mindful Living
- Pacing and energy management
- Activities in daily life
- Managing flare ups and setbacks
- Mood, stress and wellbeing
- Sleep
- Communication
- Acceptance and compassion
- Medication
- Nutrition
- Relationships and intimacy.
Exercise
People in pain tend to stop exercising or at least reduce what they can do. The main reason for this is often concern that exercise will increase the level of pain. This in turn can lead to muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and general deconditioning, which can further increase pain.
The exercise component of the programme is designed by our own specialist physiotherapist for people with long term pain. You won’t need to stand or sit for long periods of time.
Exercises are gentle and graded, so that by gradually working at your own pace, you can build up what you can do. Consequently, over the nine weeks, your fitness will most likely improve and you will be able to do more.
If you have any concerns about the exercise component, there will be lots of opportunity to ask questions and discuss this with our physiotherapist.
Mindful living
Mindful living, or mindfulness, is a way of being ‘in the moment’. With practice, it can help you build up your ability to stay focused and also your ability to shift your attention from one thing to another (a bit like gym for the brain). People often report noticing that their senses seem more aware (for example taste, smell, touch) and that they are more able to think clearly and react calmly to their own thoughts and feelings. Feelings of greater relaxation and wellbeing can often be experienced as a nice ‘side effect’ from this approach.
Research has shown that being mindful is associated with greater activation in brain regions associated with reducing pain.
By activating these parts of the brain, mindful living can allow people to change how they relate to the presence of pain and can help turn down the volume of pain intensity.
Life after the group
Our patients tell us it is important that the nine week programme is not viewed in isolation. During the programme we also encourage you to think about continuing to live well in the longer term.
We invite you to a one off group follow up session three months after your programme, so you can reflect on the long term changes you have noticed.
Again, this will look different for each person. As well as exploring your own ideas, we can also signpost you to a range of services in the community.
Pain Clinic Plus is run by volunteers, who have long term pain themselves. They offer a weekly peer support group and a gentle walking group. You can contact the clinic for their details.
In addition, there are many other services in the community which people may not be aware of, such as Living Well Sefton, The Life Rooms and Community Connectors.
Want to know more?
The first step is usually an appointment with a clinician in the Community Pain Service (accessed via your GP). Then, if you and your clinician think the programme might be helpful, you will be invited by letter to attend an information session.
This group session gives you the opportunity to learn more about the programme, meet some of the staff and other patients, and ask questions.
We will spend time with you one to one to review your current health and your personal expectations.
Together, we will look at whether the programme will be a good fit in supporting you with your personal hopes.
Need to know
Places, although free to access as they are provided through the NHS, are expensive to run and are in demand, so please only sign up if you can commit and attend regularly. Regular attendance is crucial to gain the most benefit. Our patients tell us it is worth attending, even if they are having a bad day.
Once the programme has finished, you will have an open appointment for 12 months with the Community Pain Service, which means you can access the service directly without going through your GP.
Group facilitators
Senior Clinical Psychologist (Programme Lead)
Clinical Director and Specialist in Pain Medicine
Advanced Specialist Physiotherapist
Highly Specialist Pharmacist
Trainee Health Psychologist or Assistant Psychologist
Rehabilitation Assistant
Occupational Therapist
Patients who have personal experience of the service (known as experts by experience).
Contact details
Phone: 01704 387235
Email: pmp
Address: Ainsdale Centre for Health and Wellbeing,
164 Sandbrook Rd, Ainsdale, Southport PR8 3RJ
Visit our webpage.
Our patients matter
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.
If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team.
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
V7 Building
Kings Business Park
Prescot
Merseyside
L34 1PJ
Telephone: 0151 471 2377 - freephone: 0800 328 2941
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Approval date: 29 May 2025
Review date: 29 May 2026
Version number: 1