Central Hospital introduces Pain Management Clinic

Wednesday, 12 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From chronic back pains to debilitating nerve pains, everyone has or will, at some point in time, experience pain. For some people it could be just a temporary pain that may pass within days or few weeks, while others may suffer for much longer often getting addicted to pain medicines which in turn can have long term effects. New to Sri Lanka, the Central Hospital has introduced a Pain Management Clinic to treat patients who suffer the consequences of chronic pain. This clinic is led by experienced UK based consultant, Dr. Namal Senasinghe, MBBS, Dip in Pain Medicine, FFARCS, FFPMCA, Consultant in Pain Medicine who is trying to bring respite to sufferers of chronic pain. “Any pain lasting over three months can be referred to our clinic,” says Dr. Senasinghe. “Chronic back pain, which is the commonest, can range from mild to excruciating, leaving the patient feeling anywhere from inconvenient to completely incapacitating, and it can come in episodes or be constant.”

Dr. Namal Senasinghe explains that chronic pain is often a multi-faceted problem that is identified and referred through multiple physicians. After consultation and diagnosis, its management is categorised in four areas: complimentary, psychotherapy, pharmacologically, and through intervention. He explains further that complimentary management is done via non-interventional methods using physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, reflexology, yoga, etc. This method, however, does not show immediate results but offers long term respite. Psychotherapy is required by a fair number of people who suffer from poverty and neglect which causes stress related pain. “These cases require lots of attention and intervention.” Pharmacological intervention is used for patients suffering from severe pain and requires a step-ladder process where medication is given to prevent the misuse of addictive analgesic drugs such as codeine and morphine and its derivatives. Lastly, interventional procedures are used for drastic cases and include injections of anaesthetic medicines or steroids. The Pain Management team at the Central is equipped with the use of state-of-the art technology and X-ray guidance. Dr. Senasinghe says that for most patients, the toll is more than just physical pain. “Patients with chronic pain often suffer from negative emotions like anxiety, stress, anger and depression, which are caused by their condition. These in turn decrease the body’s production of natural painkillers and may even encourage the body to create hormones that amplify sensations of pain.” “Through the use of state-of-the-art technology, we are able to help patients get off addictive pain medicines. Our methods are drug-free, non-addictive therapies which can now treat some formerly difficult-to-treat problems,” said Dr. Senasinghe. The Central Pain Management Clinic is located on the ninth floor of the main hospital located at Norris Canal Street, Colombo 8.