• Pain Toolkit – a practical guide to self-management of chronic pain, with a detailed ‘toolkit’ which can be printed out.  It is also available in French, German and Italian
• Moodjuice – Moodjuice Forth Valley is a web site designed to offer information and advice to those experiencing troublesome thoughts, feelings and actions. From the site you are able to print off other self-help guides covering conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, panic and sleep problems. In the site you can explore various aspects of you life that may be causing you some distress and obtain information on organisations, services and other self-help materials, that can offer you support and information which will allow you to help yourself.
• Reconnect 2 Life – an interactive programme to help you look at your pain and how it affects you. It consists of a number of different modules which can be completed in any order you please
• Healthtalk.org – provides free, reliable information about health issues, by sharing people’s real-life experiences
• SilverCloud – provides private and secure access anywhere, anytime to evidence-based, online programs that will help to teach you techniques that helps you reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, low mood or depression associated with Chronic Pain or Diabetes Type 1 & 2. It’s also suitable for co-morbid long term health conditions. Based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness and positive psychology SilverCloud is very interactive and very flexible. The program can be run on a PC or laptop. It can also be used on your mobile phone or tablet device so that you always have access to it. The general recommendations of SilverCloud use are 40 minutes per week, over a 6 to 8 week period – typically spending 10-15 minutes on the programme, 3 or 4 times a week. For further information and referral form please visit the links below:
  • SilverCloud-Patient-Information
  • SilverCloud-Space-in-Chronic-Pain
  • Silvercloud-Referral-Guidelines
  • Silvercloud-Referral-Form-Non-GP
• Supporting Self Management Plan

Pain Association Scotland

Joining a support group offers the opportunity to be listened to, to talk about how you feel, hear how others cope with similar problems and learn actively to control pain. The Association recognises that it is not only pain sufferers who experience distress, but carers, relatives and friends may also need support. Support groups are run throughout Scotland including Lanarkshire; taking place in Coatbridge, Wishaw and East Kilbride. For more information about these groups visit http://www.painassociation.com/1-2/glasgow-and-the-west-groups/

• Phone:           0800 783 6059
• Address:        Suite D, Moncrieffe Business Centre, Friarton Road, Perth, PH2 8DG
• Website:       http://www.painassociation.com/

• www.mind.org.uk – the National Association for Mental Health provides information on mental health difficulties.  The ‘Factsheets and booklets listed by subjects’ section contains free booklets on a wide variety of mental health issues, plus details of other resources and links to other useful organisations. 
• www.mentalhealth.org.uk – The Mental Health Foundation website provides information on the UK’s leading mental health research, and the ‘Publications’ section offers a number of useful publications for purchase or download

For back pain

• https://www.sheffieldachesandpains.com/back-and-neck/home/ – This website provides information, advice and resources from Sheffield clinicians to help patients get back to health
• Posture: ‘Sit Up Straight’: Time to Re-evaluate – Infographic – Infographic that summarises current research around posture and pain

For fibromyalgia

• www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org – information on fibromyalgia and how to manage the condition, and details of local support groups and help lines within your area.

For arthritis

• www.arthritisresearchuk.org – Arthritis Research UK (formerly the Arthritis Research Campaign) website.  Contains a very helpful section called ‘Arthritis Information’ with information on various aspects of arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions including hypermobility and fibromyalgia, as well as low back pain.
• www.arthritiscare.org.uk – Versus Arthritis (formerly Arthritis Care) website.  A website specifically for patients with lots of information on different arthritis related conditions, as well as a forum with trained workers, and a helpline.  There is also information on local support groups.

For pelvic pain

• www.pelvicpain.org.uk – the Pelvic Pain Support Network provides information, plus a message forum for members where they can find support and ask advice of other members of the public.    Conditions covered include endometriosis, vulval pain, prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and interstitial cystitis.

For vulval pain

• www.vulvalpainsociety.org – the Vulval Pain Society provides information and support for women suffering from vestibulodynia and vulvodynia.  It is a confidential service for women who suffer from vulval pain.  It also has details of support groups which operate in London and other areas of the U.K.

For endometriosis

• www.endometriosis-uk.org – this charity provides information and support on many aspects of endometriosis, from causes to treatment. There is also a telephone helpline run by trained volunteers.  Until 2006, the organisation was known as the National Endometriosis Society.

For loin pain haematuria syndrome

• www.kidney.org.uk – the National Kidney Federation website has useful information leaflets on loin pain-haematuria syndrome.

• Headspace – guided meditations, animations, articles and videos (free basics pack)
• Calm – an app for meditation, sleep, breathing and relaxation (free trial period & Offers In-App Purchases)
• 3 minute mindfulness – the app contains meditations, breathing exercises to help you relax, reduce anxiety and improve sleep (Offers In-App Purchases)
• Breathe – an emotional wellness and meditation app (free trial & Offers In-App Purchases)
• Mindfulness North West – free resources to learn about mindfulness
• Association of Contextual Behavioural Science – online learning and research community and resources
• My Cuppa Jo – Making sense of pain through science and stories. Bridging the gap between patients and health professionals

CDs

• Living with Chronic Pain CD is available to download free of charge from this website:
  • http://www.paincd.org.uk/download
• A relaxation CD is free to download at this web address:
  • http://www.moodcafe.co.uk/content.asp?ArticleCode=1180

Books

• Overcoming Chronic Pain – Cole, MacDonald, Carus, Howden-Leach (CBT self help book- easy to read & understand, with exercises in each chapter £10)
• Living Beyond your Pain: Using ACT to ease chronic pain – J Dahl & T Lundgren
• Living well with pain and illness: The mindful way to free yourself from suffering – Vidyamala Burch
• Full Catastrophe Living – Jon Kabat-Zinn
• Things might go terribly horribly wrong: a guide to life liberated from anxiety – Kelly Wilson & Troy Dufrene (ACT self help £8)
• Mind Over Mood – Greenberger and Padesky (CBT self help £17)
• Manage your Mind – Butler & Hope
• Overcoming Anxiety: A five areas approach – Chris Williams (CBT workbook £20)
• Overcoming Depression – Paul Gilbert (CBT self help £8)
• Chronic Pain the Drug Free Way – Phil Sizer

Increasingly people are listening to talking books. We know that many people have difficulty with reading. We also understand that a number of people who have moved to Lanarkshire can understand spoken English but not written English. With this in mind a CD with a self-help insert booklet has been produced in Lanarkshire with advice on how to stay mentally healthy, overcome and cope with stress, low mood, bereavement, sleep and includes relaxation exercises. This will be available from every Lanarkshire library as part of the Healthy Reading Programme. Some CD chapters can be listened to and downloaded at http://www.lanarkshirementalhealth.org.uk/Self-Help/

British Pain Society

Helpful information section for patients with pain conditions, and details of various support groups, including guidance supported by available evidence on clinical and other pain matters.

• Website:     https://www.britishpainsociety.org/  

Pain Association Scotland

Joining a support group offers the opportunity to be listened to, to talk about how you feel, hear how others cope with similar problems and learn actively to control pain. The Association recognises that it is not only pain sufferers who experience distress, but carers, relatives and friends may also need support. Support groups are run throughout Scotland including Lanarkshire in Coatbridge, Wishaw, East Kilbride and Larkhall. For more information about these groups visit http://www.painassociation.com/1-2/glasgow-and-the-west-groups/

• Phone:           0800 783 6059
• Address:        Suite D, Moncrieffe Business Centre, Friarton Road, Perth, PH2 8DG
• Website:        http://www.painassociation.com/

Breathing Space

Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone line you can call when you’re feeling down. You might be worried about something – money, work, relationships, exams – or maybe you’re just feeling fed up and can’t put your finger on why.

• Phone:           0800 83 85 87
• Address:        Clyde Contact Centre , Beardmore Street , Clydebank
• Website:       http://www.breathingspace

Pain Concern

Charity working to support and inform people with pain and those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Provides a helpline, free factsheets and leaflets on different aspects of chronic pain and self-management and Airing Pain, a series of regular podcasts on living with pain, which can be downloaded for free.</li>

• Phone:           0300 123 0789
• Address:        Pain Concern , PO Box 13256 , Haddington
• Website:       http://www.painconcern.org.uk/

Action on Pain

Action on Pain is a growing and vibrant national charity which was founded in 1998 to provide practical help and support to people living with or affected by chronic pain, irrespective of type, cause or origin, in order that they are able to still enjoy life to the full.

• Phone:           0845 6031593
• Address:        Action on Pain , 20 Necton Road , Little Dunham , Norfolk
• Website:       http://www.action-on-pain.co.uk/

The Pain Relief Foundation

The Pain Relief Foundation was established as a registered charity in 1979, in response to the need for specialised research into the causes and treatment of chronic pain in humans. Incorporated into the charity’s trust deeds are its aims and objectives, which are:- to carry out research leading to the alleviation of chronic pain. to find improved methods of treating chronic pain. to disseminate the results of such research throughout the world. to work in co-operation with the NHS and Universities to provide post-graduate scientific education in chronic pain relief.

• Phone:           0151 529 5820
• Address:        Clinical Sciences Centre , University Hospital Aintree , Lower Lane , Liverpool
• Website:       http://www.painrelieffoundation.org.uk/

BackCare

BackCare is a registered charity that aims to reduce the burden of back pain by providing information and support, promoting good practice and funding research. BackCare has a range of tips on what to do when back pain strikes. With the right measures, many people find that they can reduce their pain.http://www.painrelieffoundation.org.uk/foundation/foundation.html

• Phone:           0845 130 2704
• Website:        http://www.backcare.org.uk/

Samaritans

Samaritans provides confidential emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. You don’t have to be suicidal to call us. We are here for you if you’re worried about something, feel upset or confused, or you just want to talk to someone.

• Phone:           08457 90 90 90
• Address:        P O Box 9090 , Stirling
• Web Site:       http://www.samaritans.org

• Royal College of Anaesthetists – Good practice in prescribing opioid medicines for pain should reflect fundamental principles in prescribing generally. The decision to prescribe is underpinned by applying best professional practice; understanding the condition, the patient and their context and understanding the clinical use of the drug. This resource, developed by UK healthcare professionals and policymakers, provides the information to support a safe and effective prescribing decision.
• Live well with pain – Developed by clinicians, for clinicians to help you support your patients towards better self management of their long term pain. This site has a good section on opioids de-prescribing which is a priority. The site was developed by a GP/pharmacist/physiotherapist who are recognised experts on chronic pain management.
• Sheffield Persistent Pain – This website has been put together by hospital consultants, GPs, physiotherapists, people living with persistent pain, volunteer organisations, and clinicians with a special interest in managing persistent pain. The site represents their agreed approach to sharing knowledge and skills for people living with persistent pain and takes into account the latest national and international best practice guidelines on pain management. It should be used in conjunction with advice given to you by your GP, physiotherapist or pain specialist.
  There is a section of the website is directed towards health professionals working with patients living with persistent pain. It pulls together useful tools, local referral information and pathways designed to be used during consultations, as well more detailed educational resources and a range of patient information leaflets.
• Knowledge Network – Up to date, comprehensive information and resources for patients and professionals in Scotland.
• Living Life to the Full – Lots of people struggle at times in life. Living Life to the Full teaches a range of life skills that are based on the tried and trusted CBT approach, to aim to improve wellbeing and resilience as you go through the journey of life. The website provides useful information and resources that can act as tools to use on your own life journey.
• healthtalk.org – provides free, reliable information about health issues, by sharing people’s real-life experiences.
• Scottish National Residential Pain Management Programme – This service has been developed to run pain management programmes for groups of adults from all over Scotland.