The evidence base and guidelines around managing persistent pain is extensive and evolving. He consistent finding and recommendation is that individuals living with chronic pain and services move away from assessments and interventions conducted solely by one professional, and away from medical investigations such as scans and stand alone medical interventions, towards a holistic multidisciplinary approach to assessing and managing persistent pain. Evidence overwhelmingly focuses on the provision of earlier assessment and intervention and supporting individuals to self-manage their pain. Guidance recommends the provision of comprehensive packages of care, to include individual or group education, physical rehabilitation and psychological interventions, with medical interventions and medications forming part of the care plan if deemed appropriate.
Clinicians working in pain management settings draw upon a range of guidance and evidence, as well as information gathered from an individual assessment and the patient wishes, to develop a care plan. Links to a number of key guidance documents have been provided below. There are however a significant number of guidelines relating to specific conditions, of which pain is a symptom, which have not been included below. If you would like further information please contact the service or ask and we would be happy to direct you towards these.
Overview | Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management | Guidance | NICE