Masterclass reveals latest scientific thinking on coping with pain

The latest thinking on the causes and control of pain were revealed at a masterclass in Thatcham on Saturday (May 10).

Two hundred people visited West Berkshire Therapy Centre to hear a leading NHS pain specialist discuss the latest scientific advances in the understanding of pain – and how to help ease it.

Professor Deepak Ravindran explained pain has a dramatically negative impact on millions of lives – but only averages 12 hours of the five-year training medical professionals receive.

Dr Ravindran, director of lifestyle and pain medicine at the Reading Central Primary Care Network, explained the three different types of pain and how research suggests important everyday lifestyle choices can do more to control pain than relying on powerful medications, which can cause unwelcome side effects and lead to addiction.

He said giving up smoking, reducing alcohol intake, improving diets, managing stress and maintaining social contacts have all been proven to significantly help people reduce or cope with pain.

He added: “There are a lot of flawed beliefs on the topic of pain that occupy the present healthcare system, and they often account for the worsening of a problem rather than helping it.

“Patients and doctors often believe that surgery will ‘fix’ the problem. However, one in five surgeries will fail to achieve a pain-free outcome.

“Patients continue to suffer and, in some cases, go on to be worse off than before.”

West Berkshire Therapy Centre was set up as a community charity in 2014. Its staff and volunteers assist more than 300 people every week.

There are no set charges, but donations are welcomed.