Chronic pain management at Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital

Pain can be a sign that something in our body is wrong. There are various types of pain that can differ in the parts of the body that they affect. The intensity of the pain and its duration can also vary. In addition, the way we react to pain is very personal and can vary significantly from person to person.

Pain that lasts for three months or more and recurs over long periods is regarded as chronic pain. Chronic pain can occur anywhere in your body; it can range from mild discomfort to very severe pain that can impede your day-to-day activities.

Common pain conditions can include

• Back pain (Sciatica and unspecific)
• Neck-shoulder pain (whiplash injury, "stiff neck", etc)
• Coccydynia (Tailbone pain)
• Nerve related pain (Diabetic Neuropathy, Neuralgias, Shingles pain, etc.)
• Chronic post-surgical pain (pain following operations)
• Headache
• Facial pain
• Cancer related pain

Early detection, assessment and appropriate management can help to alleviate chronic pain.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

We offer a wide range of treatment options and interventions including:

• Specialist Pain Physiotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), External Nerve Modulation (ENM)
• Therapeutic epidurals
• Caudal injections
• Nerve injections
• Facet joint/Sacroiliac joint injections
• Ultrasound guided joint injections (hip, shoulder, knee, etc.)
• Radio-frequency(RF)-treatment (pulsed, conventional and cooled RF)

All treatments are provided as day cases.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.