We need a change in society where … we’re not surprised when someone wants to talk to us about something other than medicines [for chronic pain]
Dr Benjamin Ellis, leading pain expert
This week, a survey commissioned by the BBC revealed that one in four UK adults are living with chronic pain (chronic pain is defined as pain defined as persistent pain that lasts longer than three months). An accompanying half an hour documentary investigated the real stories behind the survey, and the way chronic pain ‘destroys careers, breaks up relationships, steals independence and denies people the futures they had imagined.’
One of the most striking interviews in the documentary was with Dr Benjamin Ellis who wants to see a move away from medication (particulary opioids) being seen as a long-term solution:
The health system is set up to support the prescribing of medication rather than supporting patients to access other treatments – physical activity, programmes to help people with their mental health, community support, peer support – they’re not so readily available, and even where they are, they’re not well connected with health services.
The Alexander Technique is one of these other interventions. It is effective at reducing chronic musculoskeletal pain, and two major clinical trials into back pain and neck pain have now provided substantial evidence for this. Although it is encouraging that GPs in my local area do sometimes refer patients to me, a lot more needs to be done to get the word out about this unique approach to the management of pain and tension.