Skegness woman learns how to cope with Flippin' Pain

Lincolnshire is rated in the top 10 areas of the UK with high levels of opioid prescriptions for pain, with an anticipated 40% of residents thought to seek relief.

An essential aid, which provides practical advice and guidance for the estimated 30-50% of people in the UK that live with persistent pain, has just been unveiled.

The resource www.flippinpain.co.uk has been developed by healthcare professionals and those with persistent pain to provide answers to frequently asked questions around the issue, bust myths on common misconceptions around pain management, give updates on the latest developments in pain science as well as share real-life stories of those who are effectively managing their pain.

Spina Bifida Occulta (SPO) sufferer, Carolyn Johnson, from Skegness, said: “I have been living with pain for many years, so it’s great to have somewhere to turn to that is supportive and understanding of people who have chronic pain.

"To be able to find out ways of helping myself and gaining knowledge is so needed. Sometimes when reading books about pain it can be too technical and you feel overwhelmed, so to have things explained in a way you understand is very helpful.

“Having pain is very isolating and you do feel that you are alone. F

"Family try to support you but don’t really “get it”, so it’s great to meet people here who really do understand - this makes you feel you are not on your own.

"I personally have taken the view that I am in control of my learning and finding ways to create better habits.

"Flippin’ Pain™ shows you how pain works and ways that you can help yourself. It’s so important to be in charge of your own pain control.”

Of particular interest to people living with pain, will be the range of resources including everything from videos and online articles, to book and website recommendations that help people to understand their pain and take steps towards recovery.

It is the brainchild of the public health campaign Flippin’ Pain™, which kickstarted a series of public consultation events across Lincolnshire at the end of 2019 with the clear goal of changing the way people think about, talk about and treat persistent pain. The campaign, which was due to commence a pain bus tour, including charity bike ride this summer, takes inspiration from Australia’s innovative Pain Revolution initiative.

Prof. Cormac Ryan, Community Pain Champion said: “Broadly speaking, public understanding, and indeed many healthcare professionals’ understanding of persistent pain is significantly out of sync with the best scientific evidence. In fact, many things that scientists have known about pain for decades have yet to filter through to the patients and clinicians at the coalface of pain management. The Flippin’ Pain™ campaign aims to change that; to bring a modern, scientifically-informed understanding of pain to the masses, which is why a whole section of the site is dedicated to Understanding Pain - the very foundation of the Flippin’ Pain™ campaign.”

Sarah-Jane Mills, Chief Operating Officer NHS Lincolnshire CCG, a partner of the Flippin’ Pain™ campaign, said: “We understand that living with chronic pain often prevents people from enjoying everyday activities that some of us can take for granted. We are delighted that this aid will be available for people across Lincolnshire and the wider UK, so that they can access information that is credible and relatable and paves the way for a better way forward.”

Anyone with enquiries should email [email protected]