Pain Management Programme

What is PMP?

PMP stands for Pain Management Programme, and it is an 8-week course for 10-12 patients per group who are suffering from Chronic Pain. PMP, although not a cure does aim to help patients to understand their pain and learn how to manage it so they can lead more fulfilling lives.

How the programme works

The programme is run by a team of a Clinical Psychologist, Physiotherapist, and Specialist Pain Nurse. Throughout the programme common pain themes are discussed such as, stress and anxiety, myths about persistent pain, pacing, goal setting and pain science. There are also weekly graded exercise sessions based on functional movement patterns, and relaxation or mindfulness sessions too.

How to refer patients to PMP

A patient can only be referred to PMP by one of the pain team's consultants in one of our pain clinics. There is an inclusion and exclusion criteria which is outlined below:

Inclusion Criteria:

The patient must be interested in a treatment that does not seek to cure the pain
Have Chronic intractable pain
Be distressed by the pain and/or disabled by pain
Must be undergoing routine medical care
They must be able to attend the full 10 weeks
They must be willing to participate in the course and willing to practice at home in between sessions
The patient must be able to independently transfer between the pain

Exclusion Criteria:

Undergoing active investigations and or new treatments
Severely disabled
Mental health problems that will interfere with group participations
Chaotic social circumstances that will interfere with participation.

What happens after the patient is referred?

The patient will be invited to attend an appointment which will involve an assessment by each member of the pain team and then it will be decided whether they will be accepted to take part in the programme or discharged from PMP and referred to pain service or GP.

Where is PMP taking place?

The assessment appointment and PMP both take place at:

Chronic Pain Management Centre
County Hospital
Coed-Y-Gric Road
Griffithstown
Pontypool
Torfaen
NP4 5YA