Often when people suffer from chronic pain they find it difficult to be as active as they had been previously. Over time, reduced activity can lead to joint stiffness, muscle weakness and general deconditioning. Often this means that people find it difficult to complete normal daily activities, engage in social situations and participate in hobbies.
Our physiotherapy team can help you to find a level of activity which feels comfortable for you. We will work alongside you to help you feel confident to do more of the things in life which are important and meaningful to you.
Understanding Pain in less than 5 minutes, and what to do about it!
Bringing it Together
Exercise Videos
Tai Chi
Let’s Move – Session 1
Patient Feedback
We really value patient feedback to help us continue to improve and develop the physiotherapy service. If you have recently attended pain management physiotherapy then please consider completing this short survey.
The information gathered is confidential and helps our team to evaluate the service and address areas for improvement.
The AHP Pain Team have seen an increase in requests for in-service training from other services as staff look to increase their knowledge and confidence in managing individuals with chronic pain.
In order to meet those needs in a sustainable way we have developed an AHP Pain Education Programme which offers a number of sessions throughout the year.
paindata – a local pain management resource containing a host of patient information and resources, made by clinicians working in the NHSGGC Pain Service. Resources include information about medication and non-English translations of some of our resources.
Persistent (or chronic) pain is very different from ‘normal’ (or acute) pain, and strategies that work well for managing acute pain are often unhelpful – or worse – when it comes to persistent pain. Here is a good overview of how persistent pain differs from normal pain, from the neurosymptoms website.
Why doesn’t my medication work anymore? Painkillers don’t usually help very much for chronic pain conditions. See this NHS-approved resource, ‘Painkillers Don’t Exist’ for more information.
Focus on Opioids (Morphine and related drugs)
Opioids are painkillers in the Morphine family of drugs. There are many different types, ranging from weak opioids like Codeine, to strong ones like Oxycodone (or Morphine itself), but they all work roughly the same way in the body. Opioids have been in the news recently as we learn more about how unsuitable they are for long-term use. Although they work very well for a few weeks (making them great for pain after surgery or an acute injury), after this time the body gets used to them and they become less effective (tolerance). They also start to cause more and more side effects, as well as problems like physical and psychological dependence.
This short piece of writing is by a patient who attended the pain clinic. He wanted to share his experience of becoming dependent on opioids, and how he eventually overcame this.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have produced a series of leaflets explaining how to use the common Morphine drugs safely, including how to reduce and stop them if they no longer work:
The problem with strong Morphine drugs (opioids) – a collection of resources for patients, carers and professionals at the Opioids Aware website.
GGC Pain Service Information
We have produced a range of booklets locally, introducing some of the concepts and treatment strategies that we use in the pain service. These will open as pdf files in a separate window, unless otherwise indicated (see here for non-English translations of our introductory guide to self-management).
Flippin’ Pain – an online resource co-created by people with persistent pain, healthcare professionals, pain scientists and communications experts. It aims to help you make sense of the science behind your pain, and put this knowledge into action.
Live Well With Pain – a collection of helpful videos and other resources designed to help you learn the skills you need to become an effective self-manager of your pain.
Pain Concern is a Scottish charity providing advice and support to people with chronic pain.
Pain Toolkit – a great self-management resource, developed by someone who has lived with chronic pain.
2026 Scottish Intercollegiate Network Guideline on the management of chronic pain: SIGN 173 – part 1
The second part of this guideline will be published later in the year, alongside a plain language version.
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Pain Awareness Month
September is Pain Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact that chronic pain can have on people’s lives and to highlight the support available across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Living with chronic pain can affect much more than physical health. It can influence sleep, mood, relationships, work and everyday activities.
If you are living with persistent pain, please know that you are not alone. There is support available to help you better understand your pain and develop the skills and confidence to manage it.
This Pain Awareness Month, we encourage you to take a step towards learning more about chronic pain and the resources that can help.
Explore our Chronic Pain Service pages for information on understanding pain, self-management techniques and the support available in your area.
Whether you’re living with chronic pain yourself, caring for someone who is, or simply looking to learn more, we invite you to explore the resources available and start the conversation this September. Small steps can make a big difference, and support is available to help you live well with pain.
Welcome to the website for the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Pain Service. These pages contain information about the Pain Service, as well as online resources to support people living with chronic pain.
Chronic pain is different from ‘normal’, or ‘acute’ pain! Strategies that work well for acute pain are often less successful – or can even make things worse – in chronic pain conditions.
Please use the link below to find out more about chronic pain, and how the Pain Service can help you.
Your GP or secondary care specialist can refer you to the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Pain Service. Most new referrals are offered an introductory information session and brief telephone chat before the first clinic appointment. This is to give you a chance to see what we do in the pain clinic, and let us know how you hope we can help you.
About the team
We are a multidisciplinary team of Doctors, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists. You may see one or more of us at different stages of your journey through the pain service.
3rd Floor Admin Suite 133 Balornock Road Glasgow G21 3UW
Contact Telephone Numbers
0141 355 1491
0141 335 1492
0141 335 1493
0141 335 1494
Victoria Ambulatory Care Hospital
Location
Langside Road Glasgow G42 9TY
Contact Telephone Numbers
0141 347 8005
0141 347 8006
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
Location
Larkfield Road Greenock PA16 0XN
Contact Telephone Number
0141 347 8005
Glasgow Pain Management Programme
Location
Parkhead Hub 1251 Duke St Parkhead Glasgow G31 5NZ
Contact Telephone Number: 0141 335 1493
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