What to expect
• An enjoyable, friendly and comfortable environment to move at your own pace.
• Education about chronic pain, exercising when experiencing chronic pain, understanding and preparing for flare ups and exploring pacing strategies.
• The aim of the group is to build support with pain management strategies and encourage increasing participation in your daily activities, with the support of others.
• Support to return to exercise or to start exercising for the first time – linked to your own goals – and address barriers to exercise and movement.
• Following the group, you will be discharged from the service back to your GP and given information for local support/ onward referrals to access community-based support.
Why join our education and exercise class?
It is common for people in pain to stop exercising or to reduce activity in fear of making pain worse. This avoidance can become a habit that can be hard to break. Sometimes, this can lead to deconditioning, which means physical tasks become more difficult, tiredness might settle in sooner and muscles may become weak.
Luckily, our body is highly adaptable, and it can change depending on what we do.
Keeping active helps to prevent deconditioning and get back to doing the things we value.
Exercise is beneficial for several reasons:
• Help with the prevention, management and treatment of many different conditions
• Improve the management of pain by the release of natural painkillers
• Decrease the sensitivity of receptors in the body
During exercise we are likely to feel different sensations. If we haven’t done certain movements in a while, it may take time to get used to the movements again. You may notice an increase in pain when you first start moving again; this is normal. This pain can be managed using the skills you have learnt within our service, such as the use of heat or gentle stretches. Over time you will notice you feel stronger and more confident in your body’s ability. You may notice a decrease in pain, improved sleep, greater strength and
improvement in daily activities.
What is your exercise goal?
It would be helpful to have a think about what your exercise goals are so that we can help you get the most out of attending the class. Please discuss these with the physiotherapist at the session.
Where is the class?
The class is run in the physiotherapy gym room at the Minerva
Centre at Preston North End’s Deepale Stadium.
Address: Minerva Health Centre, Lowthorpe Rd, Preston PR1 6TD
How long does it last?
In total, it is a six week programme and the timing of individual sessions vary.
• Sessions one and six are two and a half hours, to include outcome measures
• Sessions two, three, four and five are two hours
What to wear?
You need to wear clothes that you can comfortably move in and
sensible footwear that has a flat, soft sole.
What to bring?
Please bring a drink to keep you hydrated; water is usually the best
option. There is a water machine on-site you can access.
Please bring any medications you may require during the class, such as asthma inhalers or GTN sprays.
What if I cannot attend the class?
Once you receive the letter with the dates and times, please contact us on the number or email on the letter to let us know if you can attend. If you cannot attend, and let us know prior to the class starting, we will be able to defer you to the next class. Please note we are only able to offer you two opportunities to attend the class. If you are unable to attend on weeks one or two, we will have to defer to the next class, as above. We do understand that good reasons may occur which mean you are unable to attend a session, please contact our admin team to let them know you are unable to attend, and we can discuss whether you are able to return to the class the week after.
What happens if I cannot come to the Pain Education and Exercise Group and I do not let the team know?
We are aware the circumstances in relation to your physical health can be difficult for you, however in fairness to other people waiting to access the service and in line with our service access attendance policy, we will not be able to offer further appointments. If you do not have any further appointments arranged with the service, we will discharge you from the Pain Team at this time. You can, of course, be re-referred in future.
Top exercise tips
• The body is designed to move; it is resilient and strong.
• Pain is a poor indicator of tissue health.
• Practice deep breathing and relaxation before you try to exercise and then try it during normal movement.
• Find your baseline: start small, be patient and pace up as you are able. We will support you with this during the group.
• The likelihood of a flare-up can be reduced if body tissues are kept in good condition. This means a regular commitment to exercise, maybe even daily.
• When you are carrying out a movement or exercise, notice the normal sensations in the body.
• Exercise will release helpful chemicals in the body.
• Hold on to what you value, managing pain is hard work; be sure to remind yourself why you are doing it.
• Be kind to yourself – always.
Contact details
Community Pain Team: 01772 520 900 – Option 3
Email: Painandmecfs@lscft.nhs.uk