Pain Management
Advice Articles

12 Mishaps of Christmas- Back pain
22/12/2017
With our highly experienced multidisciplinary team of Musculoskeletal Radiologists and Pain Management Consultants, we provide a range of medical services designed to reduce pain. We are dedicated to achieving the very best outcomes for our patients. Alleviating pain delivers a better quality of life, but it requires effective treatments from expert health professionals.
We accept referrals from medical professionals for less complex pain treatments, such as joint pain requiring a pain injection. For more complex cases, including spinal pain, a consultation may be necessary with one of our Pain Management Consultants or Private GPs. They will thoroughly assess your condition and recommend tailored treatments to help relieve your symptoms and manage your pain. Options include pain injections and radiofrequency treatment.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists longer than three months and can significantly reduce function, quality of life, and overall wellbeing. Studies estimate that around 43% of people suffer from chronic pain, which can lead to difficulties in relationships, work, mood, and employment.
This type of pain can arise from various causes, including illness, trauma, surgery, degeneration, cancer, and medication. In some cases, no clear cause is identifiable. Chronic pain can be mechanical, nerve-related, or a combination of both. Mechanical pain, such as knee pain, is typically associated with wear and tear, while nerve pain, often described as shooting or burning, results from nerve injury, such as in sciatica.
Sciatica refers to pain that originates from irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, which runs from the base of the spine down each leg. This condition can cause lower back or buttock pain that radiates down the legs, along with potential numbness or weakness in the legs, toes, and feet. Common causes include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, piriformis syndrome, pregnancy, cancer, and nerve disorders.
Sciatica affects between 13% and 40% of people at some point in their lives. While it often improves on its own, some individuals may experience persistent pain or recurring episodes. If epidural injections are ineffective, surgical options may be considered. Our team can arrange MRI scans and discuss potential surgical interventions as needed.
At Living Care, we have the skills and facilities necessary to effectively review and treat pain issues. If you’re facing long wait times and are frustrated with your pain, contact us to explore how we can help you regain control of your life.
You cannot drive after your procedure, so you will need to arrange transport to and from your appointment; and unless told otherwise, you should not need to fast before your appointment.
You may need to stop certain medications, but this will be discussed with you prior to your appointment. Please wear comfortable clothes, and please try keep any valuables at home.
Your procedure will be performed by a consultant – they may be a specialist in radiology, pain, or anaesthetics. The consultant works with a team including a nurse, a radiographer, and healthcare assistants for pre- and post-procedure care.
Depending on the procedure area, you will be positioned on the examination couch. For spinal procedures, you will be lying face-down; the area of your spine being treated will be exposed and cleaned. The consultant will use ultrasound or low-dose x-ray imaging, sometimes with a special dye to locate the specific site.
Local anaesthetic will be given. Depending on the procedure, other pain-relieving drugs or steroids may be injected, and you may also feel some stimulation of your nerves. The procedure can cause some pain, but this should be minimal as the consultant will use local anaesthetics and gas and air (Entonox).
Pain management procedures usually take around 20 minutes to complete.
You will be brought to the recovery area in a wheelchair by a healthcare assistant. You will need to wait in the clinic for around 30 minutes to make sure it is safe for you to leave the clinic.
You will need to eat and drink before you leave – we have a great selection of biscuits, juice, tea, and coffee. You can leave by transport once the team are happy for you to go (remember – you cannot drive after your procedure!). You will be given information for post-procedure care and a number to call if there are any issues when you get home.
Accessing our private GP service should not affect your care from your local NHS GP service. Although we aim to provide a full primary care service we strongly recommend that you remain registered on your local GP patient list to ensure assistance in the event of a medical emergency.
We're always on hand, so get in touch and we'll get back to you straight away.
Speak to our teamYou can receive this treatment at any one of the locations below.
Your healthcare journey in 4 easy steps
Get in Touch
Call us on Leeds 0113 2494655 or Sheffield 0114 7005811 or use our online booking form to send your enquiry. Let us know your preferred appointment type, either virtual or face to face, and we will work to find a time that suits you.
We Arrange Your Appointment
If you filled out our online booking form, one of our team will contact you within 2 hours with available appointment options. Once your appointment is booked, you will receive an email confirmation with all the details you need.
Attend Your Appointment
Attend your appointment at your chosen time, either virtually or in person, with one of our highly qualified consultants. If your appointment requires a written report, this will be prepared and sent to you within 48 hours.
Aftercare and Follow-Up
If you need any further tests, treatment or follow-up, we will help arrange these for you. If you require a copy of your report or images, please let us know and we will send these promptly.
Explore the various options available for this treatment.
With our self-pay service, there are no waiting lists - consultations are offered within 24 hours, with treatment within a week. All costs, including tests or scans, are quoted upfront with no obligation to proceed. Visit our Prices page for full details.
If using medical insurance, contact your provider to confirm coverage for all treatment stages before your first appointment. You’ll need a referral letter from your GP for a private procedure at The LivingCare Group. Once you have it, either you or your GP can book your first appointment with us.
22/12/2017