Chronic Pain Management

‘get your life back on track’ with exceptional chronic pain management for long term pain

Why tolerate pain and lack of movement? It’s mentally draining and overwhelming and the negative effect on our physical movement prevents us from living life.

Chronic Pain Management Explained

Our tailored treatment plans provide the necessary help to minimise pain and maximise quality of life

Minimise pain while maximising quality of life, leaving you confident in your ability to self-manage, control, reduce or remove your pain completely. Implementing your bespoke, structured plan and using our support and guidance to help restore movement, mobility and strength.

Even if a condition cannot be ‘cured’, we are often able to provide significant relief and improve quality of life

Our complex pain service is bespoke and specifically tailored for those who suffer with chronic ongoing, persistent pain. In a lot of chronic pain cases, our clients come to us with the feeling that no matter whom they see, they can’t find a resolution, or if they do it’s short term! This is where we can make a difference. (Treatment for a condition that has become chronic will often require some follow-up sessions – the practitioner will discuss this with you and develop a plan that is personal to you).

Our goal is to give you honest advice, guidance and support to improve or overcome your specific pain condition. Our experience is across multiple specialities, which gives us the knowledge and tools to treat your condition in the most effective way we can. But most importantly, we educate you along the way, so that you don’t have to rely on us.

Common conditions we see:
  • Arthritic pain
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Back pain
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Headaches
  • Herniated disc pain
  • IBS
  • Neck Pain
  • Oncology related pain
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Pre/post-surgery
  • RSI
  • Scarring
  • Sciatic pain
  • Scoliosis
  • Shin splints
  • Tennis Elbow

What to expect

Pre-Assesment

To allow us to fully understand your condition, it is important that we find out as much information as we can. Before beginning any physical assessment, we will go through thorough background information both on the you and your condition. A detailed discussion on your history not only gives us important information on what in going on physically, but also allows us to fully understand your personal experiences and needs.

Physical Assessment

The next step involves a biomechanical assessment tailored around the key issues highlighted in the Pre-Assessment phase. Movement patterns are analysed, along with mobility, movement ranges and strength imbalances. This step can often highlight hidden restrictions and weaknesses that your body has been compensating for without your knowledge.

Treatment

Treatment can take many forms depending on your condition and your needs, rather than one approach to fix all problems. There are often elements of manual therapy used in the treatment of chronic pain conditions that may include techniques such as clinical massage, trigger point therapy, lymphatic drainage and myofascial release. Many treatments often involve working on strength and conditioning of a joint or area of the body, which are always fully explained and demonstrated.

Goals & Achievments

Your needs and personal goals will be acknowledged throughout the treatment process. Whether it is re-gaining function, being able to complete a certain task, or simply just relief from pain, we will discuss honestly with you what we feel is achievable and guide you on the timeframe within which it can be achieved. From there we can set a clear plan that specifically works towards reaching those goals.

Independence

The final step focusses on giving you back control. As chronic conditions often continue to develop over time, reversing that process can also take time. We will give you the rehabilitation tasks you need to complete, along with the necessary tools you will need to continue progressing long after you have left the clinic. Our ultimate goal is always long-term resolution, independent from us!

The Results

“I was advised by work to see Mike after suffering with back and shoulder pain for several months. I’ve not felt this good in years after only 3 sessions and my lower back pain is just a distant memory. Armed with nerve and muscle rehab, I’m looking forward to continued improvement.”

Marc Cockerill

“I have a quite severe back condition that will need surgical intervention at some stage. While I have found that Osteopathy and Chiropractic clinics have had their help in alleviating my condition... I can honestly say that from session one with Michael my pain disappeared. This man is a genius with his knowledge of how the body works. The benefit and quality he has bought to my life and wellbeing are for me unmeasurable. I cannot recommend Michael more highly and strongly.”

Robin

“What struck me most was the brilliant communicative style and result orientated therapy. The clinical techniques used have allowed steady progress in both alleviating the pain and increasing my mobility but the improvement in my vision is by far the best result for me. The problems do not interfere with my normal lifestyle anymore and should problems reoccur I know I can always fall back on Michael’s expert treatment.”

Terry

Pricing

Initial Consultation

£90.00

90min Session

A thorough history and bio-psychosocial assessment based on your health, pain and condition. Followed by a physical assessment which may include posture, strength and flexibility.

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Followup Sessions

£65.00

60min Session

Multiple followup sessions may be required for the practitioner to implement the personalised treatment plan.

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Behind the Service

Michael Carlton

BSC(hons) with BTEC Level 6 Advanced Clinical Massage and Injury

Mike is known for his ability to treat chronic pain that others can’t – His knowledge, research, experience and passion bring a new level of expertise to chronic and longterm pain treatment.

Meet the wider Team

Many Disciplines in one place

The 8th-Element Hub is a community of professionals brought together under one roof to provide specialist sports, performance and massage services and treatments.

View our Facilities

State-of-the-art Equipment

Our dedicated luxury sports facilities are truly a one-of-a-kind in Medway and the surrounding South-East of England, boasting comfortable treatment rooms and specialised equipment.

Chronic Pain Managment FAQ

Who is Clinical Massage suitable for?

Clinical massage is suitable for anyone experiencing pain of any form, from recent and minor injuries, to more chronic conditions that have been ongoing for years. Clinical massage can also provide relief and improved quality of life for patients with progressive and degenerative conditions.

Importantly though, you don’t have to wait until you are in pain! Our bodies are great at compensating, which means that by the time you start to feel pain, you may have had a problem for some time. As well as overcoming pain conditions, Clinical massage is designed to assess and treat people who may unaware of their problem, to prevent the pain from developing in the first place.

In clinical massage, the ultimate focus is on achieving real outcomes. There are evidence-based reasons why the therapist uses one technique over another and most importantly, results are measurable.

What are the benefits of Clinical Massage?

Research has shown that clinical massage can significantly reduce pain and improve quality of life in a range of injuries and conditions. The exact benefits to each patient can often be specific to them, as even within the same condition, people’s experiences and symptoms can range dramatically. Clinical massage can be so effective because it treats each person based on their individual problems, and the treatment is always tailored to their needs and goals.

What to expect with a Clinical Massage?

Before any treatment, patients undergo an assessment relevant to their treatment needs. This will include taking a history of their health and condition, followed by a physical assessment which may include posture, strength and flexibility.

Once an appropriate assessment has been completed, any short and/or long-term goals will be discussed, and the therapist will offer a treatment plan aimed at achieving those goals.

Finally comes the treatment which may take many forms depending on the needs of the patient and the goals that have been set. Many of the sessions can focus on applying specific pressure to certain muscle groups or tissue that may be the cause of discomfort, however if poor mobility and range of movement are present, then an emphasis may be placed on stretching and strengthening. Patients are often asked to remove some items of clothing to allow for a thorough treatment of any relevant area, importantly their dignity is always maintained using sheets and towels.

For more information please contact us directly, or book online for your Initial Pain management consultation with Michael. 

What are Pain Management Programmes?

A Pain Management Programme (PMP) is a psychologically-based rehabilitative treatment for people with chronic pain which remains unresolved by other treatments currently available . It is delivered in a group setting by an interdisciplinary team of experienced health care professionals working closely with patients.

For the majority of people, attending a Pain Management Programme reduces the disability and distress caused by chronic pain by teaching physical, psychological and practical techniques to improve quality of life. It differs from other treatments provided in Pain Clinics in that pain relief is not the primary goal, although improvements in pain following participation in a Pain Management Programme have been demonstrated.