Pain Management department

We recognise that pain can have a big impact on people’s lives, affecting mobility, sleep, mood, work and relationships.

We aim to help our patients with ongoing (persistent) pain to recover quality of life, despite pain.

Our team are experienced in the assessment and management of a wide range of chronic pain conditions, and are committed to provide a safe, compassionate and supportive environment for our patients and their loved ones.

Patients usually have a diagnosis of chronic pain before being referred to our service. We support each patient by developing a care plan which is personal to their needs. We help patients understand their ongoing pain, factors that may make symptoms worse, and steps to reduce flare ups.

Options that may be offered include:

  • support and advice on self-management, including flare-up management, stress management, mindfulness, managing energy, setting goals around what is important in your life, planning, nutrition, sleep management.
  • specialist advice on the use of medications for treating pain.
  • specialist physiotherapy.
  • specialist psychology.
  • referral to our Pain Management Programme (PMP).
  • diagnostic and therapeutic injections.


We receive referrals from GPs and other specialists.

Self-management of pain

We want to explore how you are currently managing your pain, what helps you cope with pain and identify new ways to deal with your pain.

Whilst chronic pain cannot be cured, there are techniques and new skills to learn (with support) to maintain quality of life and build on your helpful self-management skills.  


Self-management of pain may include: 

  • monitoring your mental health, adding activities into your life that will improve your mood.
  • accessing and engaging with psychotherapies.
  • gentle low impact regular movement, accessing community groups / leisure centre programmes, e.g. Tai Chi, yoga, Live Well Scheme.
  • finding ways to relax, exploring relaxation techniques and mindfulness.
  • managing fatigue and energy levels.
  • flare up management – avoiding boom and bust!
  • putting joy back in your diary.
  • sleep - exploring your pre-bed routines.
  • socialising - to help potential isolation from chronic pain, accessing groups.


Advice on self-management can be given on a one-to-one basis or in a group environment (our Pain Management Programme (PMP).

Pain Management Programme (PMP)

Our Pain Management Programme (PMP) is a group programme. It has been designed to help patients build positive coping skills and management of chronic pain.

For more information about the programme, please download our patient information leaflet.

Download Pain Management Programme (overview) [pdf] 354KB

The programme is spread over six Wednesday afternoons (1.30pm - 4pm) with a 15 min break. The session is held in the Pain Management Clinic, Royal Derby Hospital.

Interventional techniques in pain management

Interventional pain procedures can provide pain relief and restore some of your normal daily activities. They can range from epidurals, to facet injections, to nerve blocks.

Interventional procedures are performed in a theatre suite. To ensure your safety, there will also be a period of monitoring following the procedure in dedicated recovery areas. It is important that you tell us if you have any new health issues, or any new medications have been started since your last appointment with our team. 


Medication review

We assess our patients to ensure they are on the right medication for their pain condition.

Adverse effects with medicines are relatively common and need to be balanced with their effectiveness. Your healthcare professional will talk to you about this.

Medication reviews are part of follow up appointments. In between reviews, patients are advised to discuss their medication with their GP or pharmacist.