Pain medicine

Ongoing pain can affect how you move, sleep and manage everyday life. At Affidea, our pain medicine service focuses on identifying the cause of persistent pain and helping you find effective, lasting relief.

Overview: What is pain medicine?

Pain medicine is a specialist area of care dedicated to diagnosing and managing both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) pain. It combines different techniques to help reduce discomfort, improve function and support quality of life.

Pain can have many causes. It may follow an injury or surgery, develop gradually due to an underlying condition or continue even after the original cause has healed.

Ongoing pain in the joints, muscles or spine can affect everyday life. Persistent pain often requires a more tailored management approach. Chronic pain can last for several months or longer and may begin to affect sleep, mood and daily activities. We focus on helping you manage symptoms and stay active where possible.

Beyond relying on a single treatment, pain medicine considers the full impact of pain – how it affects your movement, sleep and wellbeing – and how different therapies can work together to provide relief.

At Affidea, our pain medicine specialists work closely with imaging teams, orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physiotherapists and psychologists to support accurate diagnosis and guide treatment. This joined-up approach allows for targeted interventions alongside longer-term strategies to help relieve symptoms and support your overall wellbeing.

What to expect during your pain medicine appointment

Everyone experiences pain differently, so consultations focus on building a clear picture of how it affects you day to day. Your specialist will ask when your pain started, how it feels, what makes it better or worse and how it affects your activities.

Your clinician may also assess how the pain is affecting your movement and function, and whether further investigation could help identify the source.

In some cases, imaging such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy may be used. These techniques allow specialists to see structures inside the body in real time, helping guide diagnosis and ensure treatment is delivered precisely to the right area.

Once your pain assessment is complete, your specialist will discuss the next steps. This may include targeted procedures, longer-term strategies or a combination of approaches to help you manage pain and improve function.

The focus is on helping you reduce symptoms in a way that fits your lifestyle and supports your overall wellbeing.

Types of pain we treat

Our pain medicine specialists support people with a wide range of acute and chronic pain conditions. Persistent pain can affect movement, sleep, work and everyday wellbeing, so treatment focuses on both symptom relief and longer-term management.

Back pain

Back pain can affect the muscles, joints, discs or nerves within the spine. Symptoms may range from localised stiffness and discomfort to more persistent pain that affects mobility and daily activities.

Some people experience pain after injury or strain, while others develop symptoms gradually over time. Specialist assessment can help identify the source of pain and guide targeted treatment options.

Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed, causing pain that travels from the lower back into the buttock and leg.

Symptoms can include sharp pain, tingling, numbness or weakness. Pain medicine treatments may help reduce nerve irritation and improve day-to-day comfort and mobility.

Joint pain

Joint pain can affect areas such as the knees, hips, shoulders or smaller joints throughout the body. It may develop due to arthritis, injury, inflammation or wear and tear over time.

Persistent joint pain can impact movement and quality of life. Our specialists can help assess the cause of symptoms and recommend appropriate management strategies.

Nerve pain

Nerve pain develops when nerves become damaged, irritated or overly sensitive. This type of pain is often described as burning, shooting, electric shock-like or tingling.

Nerve-related pain can sometimes continue even after the original injury has healed. Specialist treatments may help interrupt pain signals and support longer-term symptom control.

Headache

Certain ongoing headaches may benefit from specialist pain medicine assessment, particularly when symptoms are frequent or difficult to manage.

Headaches can sometimes be linked to tension, nerve irritation or underlying musculoskeletal issues affecting the neck and upper spine. Treatment approaches aim to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition associated with widespread pain, fatigue and increased sensitivity throughout the body. Symptoms can also affect sleep, concentration and everyday activities.

Managing fibromyalgia often requires a broader approach focused on symptom management, activity pacing and improving overall wellbeing.

Pain medicine treatments and services we offer

Our pain medicine service is designed to support both immediate relief and longer-term improvement. We help manage a wide range of conditions, including back pain, sciatica and nerve-related pain.

Fluoroscopy-guided injections

Fluoroscopy uses real-time X-ray imaging to guide injections to a precise area in the body. This helps ensure medication is delivered accurately to the source of pain.

These injections are often used for spinal pain, including epidural blocks, facet joint injections and treatments targeting intervertebral discs.

Ultrasound-guided injections

Ultrasound imaging allows specialists to guide injections while viewing soft tissues such as muscles, tendons and joints. This can improve accuracy and reduce discomfort during the procedure.

This approach is commonly used for injections into large and small joints, as well as soft tissue structures.

Medication and pharmacological treatments

Medication can play an important role in managing both acute and chronic pain. Treatment plans may include topical treatments or oral medication to help reduce inflammation, ease discomfort and support daily function.

Lifestyle and long-term pain management

Managing persistent pain often requires a structured approach. Lifestyle strategies, including activity modification and guided rehabilitation, can support long-term improvement and help reduce the impact of pain on daily life.

Targeted pain management procedures

Specialist procedures may be recommended to help manage specific sources of pain. These treatments focus on the nerves that carry pain signals, rather than just the area of injury.

For example, a nerve block such as a stellate ganglion block can be used to interrupt pain signals from certain parts of the body. This may be considered for ongoing nerve pain or complex pain conditions where other treatments have not provided enough relief.

When to see a pain medicine specialist

You may benefit from a pain medicine consultation if your condition is ongoing or affecting your quality of life.

Common reasons to seek specialist support may include:

• Pain that persists after injury or surgery

• Ongoing back, neck or joint pain

• Nerve-related pain or radiating discomfort

• Pain that interferes with sleep or daily activities

• Symptoms that have not improved with initial treatment
  

We support people with a number of pain conditions, including sciatica, disc problems, arthritis, nerve pain and fibromyalgia.

Specialist assessment can help identify the source of pain and guide a more targeted management plan. For many people, this can lead to improved comfort and better day-to-day function.

If you’re considering whether pain medicine is suitable for you, your GP or referring clinician can help guide you. Our pain medicine team is also available to provide expert advice and support.