Pain management at Highgate Hospital

Pain management refers to the management and treatment of both chronic and acute pain. The persistence of chronic pain can become a major obstacle in trying to live a normal life, both physically and emotionally.

Acute pain is something we all experience when we injure ourselves or suffer some form of trauma, such as an operation. It is also our bodies’ way of warning us when an underlying disease process may be developing, prompting us to seek help. In the vast majority of people, the pain settles down as the body’s healing processes take effect or when a disease is brought under control. However, in some individuals the pain persists beyond the usual or expected time; pain that persists for over three to six months is defined as chronic pain.

At Highgate Hospital, we are committed to relieving pain and management symptoms. using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment our consultant pain specialists will analyse your individual condition and needs, with the aim of devising a comprehensive, holistic and individually tailored pain management plan.

We offer outpatient clinics with specialist consultants in pain management, aimed at reducing the pain, addressing the emotional impact of the pain and increasing mobility, activity and overall well-being. We provide a variety of therapies and drugs including epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, facet joint blocks, conventional (CRF) or pulsed (PRF) radiofrequency, Sympathetic Ganglion Block, Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TENS), spinal cord stimulation and psychological therapy.

We offer weekly outpatient clinics- mornings, afternoons and evenings, with specialist consultants in pain management, aimed at reducing the pain, addressing the emotional impact of the pain and increasing mobility, activity and overall well-being.

Conditions we can help with

Our consultants specialise in:

• Joint, tendon or muscle pain (arthritis, tendonitis and myalgia)
• Nerve injury (pins and needles, burning pain and shooting pains)
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Back and neck pain – maybe from facet joint disease, disc disease, slipped disc or osteoarthritis of the spine
• Disc disease – leading to back ache and nerve root pain (often called “sciatica” if it is affecting the leg)
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Headaches – maybe from cervical skeletal problems or damaged nerves
• Whiplash
• Chest wall pain
• Shoulder pain – when surgery has failed to help
• Knee pain – when surgery has failed to help
• Complex regional pain syndrome (also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or causalgia) – causing swelling, discolouration and stiffness of a limb
• Abdominal pain – from chronic pancreatitis or following surgery such as gall bladder removal
• Pelvic pain – when gynaecological or surgical intervention has failed to help
• Fibromyalgia (chronic widespread pain syndrome)
• Myofascial pain syndrome

Treatment options

At Highgate Hospital we provide the latest leading medical and interventional treatments. Some of these treatments options include:

• Walk-in service for rapid assessment
• Interventional techniques include epidural injections, nerve blocks, facet joint blocks, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and conventional (CRF) or pulsed (PRF) radiofrequency
• Muscle relaxing injection treatment for a migraine
• Physiotherapy
• Regular self-help courses to teach you a variety of holistic techniques to relieve pain
• Advanced neuromodulation techniques including spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation

Appointments

We recognise that coming into hospital can be a daunting experience but we are committed to making sure your time at Highgate Hospital is as easy, relaxed and comfortable as possible. We strive to provide first-class independent healthcare for the local community in a safe and welcoming environment; one in which we would be happy to treat our own families.

Making a Pain Management appointment is easy, you do not need a referral from a doctor or healthcare professional to make an appointment. You do not have to be insured to come to Highgate Hospital, in fact, many of our patients choose to pay for their own treatment. If you do have private medical insurance, we are also accepted by all major private medical insurers.

Pain Management Consultants

How to book an appointment

If you would like to book a consultation please call us on 020 8341 4182 or fill in the form below.