In the pain management service we focus on management, rather than cure. Our team includes a range of skilled health care professionals that work together to help you adjust to living with persistent pain, and improve your quality of life.
We do that by working with you to identify the different areas of your life that pain has affected (e.g. day to day function, work, family, mood, activity levels etc.), and how those can be improved.
You might see several or only one member of our team.
Our Team
Doctors and Nurses – We review your medical history to ensure that appropriate investigations and management have taken place. We then support you to understand your condition, and agree a shared plan to help you manage your pain better.
Pharmacists – We aim to optimise your pain medication. This can mean reducing medication that is not working or causing side effects, finding the lowest effective dose, increasing effective medication, and/or trying an alternative medication.
Psychologists and Physiotherapists – We are here to help you with the physical and psychological challenges that you might be experiencing in your life as a result of your pain.
What can I expect from my first appointment?
You will be assessed by a pain management doctor or specially trained physiotherapist. This appointment usually lasts up to 50 minutes. You can bring someone with you.
At this appointment you will be asked to talk about your pain and how it affects you and your clinician will work with you to make a plan for your ongoing care. Options may include: changes to medication, other ways of managing pain, supported self management, group programmes.
Our service offers both face to face, and remote consultation through either video or telephone. If you choose to have your first appointment face to face, please note that this will always take place at Falkirk Community Hospital.
Physiotherapy has outreach clinics at Stirling, Alloa, and Bo’ness, as well as Falkirk.
How can I access the service?
If you’d like to access our service, please discuss with your GP if a referral to us would be appropriate. We are happy to consider referrals from all NHS Forth Valley healthcare professionals.