Pain Concern

Directions Website

Pain Concern Pain Concern is a UK-based charity working to improve the lives of people living with pain and those who care for them.

On Monday!‘A good insight into how pain works and the strategies and techniques for managing it. Sharing with and listen...
23/10/2026

On Monday!

‘A good insight into how pain works and the strategies and techniques for managing it. Sharing with and listening to others was very helpful’

Learn more about pain & how to manage it at a free education session

Topics covered include activity, stress & flare-ups

📅 Oct 26

🕒 10:30–12:30

📍 North Ayrshire, Ardrossan Library

👉 Book now eventbrite.co.uk/o/pain-concern-83272333353

Not local? The above link lists all other sessions, including online ones

Please note that our sessions are relaxed & informal. You are welcome to contribute as much or as little as you feel comfortable. If you’re joining online, feel free to keep your camera off.

More info painconcern.org.uk/pain-education-sessions-funding/

NODA Ayrshire

“I think we are on the cusp of a disruptive innovation in pain technologies.”Professor Ben Seymour, University of Oxford...
23/10/2026

“I think we are on the cusp of a disruptive innovation in pain technologies.”
Professor Ben Seymour, University of Oxford

Are we approaching a major change in our ability to treat pain?

In Airing Pain 155, Professor Ben Seymour explains why advances in neuroscience and pain technology are giving researchers new ways to understand and potentially change pain.

His optimism is not based on a single new treatment. He discusses approaches including brain stimulation, neuromodulation, virtual reality and rehabilitation technology, alongside established treatments such as physiotherapy, psychological therapies and medicines.

The episode asks what pain is doing in the brain, how technology could help us understand it better, and what the future of pain treatment might look like.

Listen to the conversation here - https://ow.ly/g4ov50ZUXrQ

‘I can’t put into words how much your call meant this morning’Our helpline is now live every Monday between 9am and 1pm....
22/10/2026

‘I can’t put into words how much your call meant this morning’

Our helpline is now live every Monday between 9am and 1pm.

Outside this window, the callback system continues as usual.

Speak with a compassionate and trained team member about:

🏥 Getting the most out of your consultations
💡 Practical strategies to manage your pain day-to-day
🧭 Where to go next for reliable, evidence-based resources
🤝 Life generally! Sometimes you just need someone who understands

Call 0300 123 0789
Email [email protected]

More info painconcern.org.uk/help-line/

Have you ever experienced pelvic pain? Hello, I’m Andy (49). I first experienced pelvic pain when I was just 21 years ol...
21/10/2026

Have you ever experienced pelvic pain?

Hello, I’m Andy (49). I first experienced pelvic pain when I was just 21 years old. I was away at university and trying to study in the library, but stopped by an intense burning in my pelvis and a constant urge to wee.

Eventually I discovered I had painful bladder syndrome. I had never heard of this before, but today it affects over 400,000 people in the UK.

For almost thirty years I have been living with an irritable bladder, regular pelvic floor spasms and chronic pelvic pain. This has had a huge impact on my life, from work to intimacy.

Airing Pain 88 brought back just what I’d been through. I heard from women who, like me, have pelvic pain. It’s a vital listen that illustrates the importance of reaching out to others.

However, I still feel we need to hear from men with pelvic pain. I want men to feel they can talk openly about their experiences, without embarrassment.

I've been helping Pain Concern with editorial tasks since March. I’m just about to start prepping an article about pelvic pain in men, to raise much-needed awareness.

I’m wondering if you have any thoughts or stories to share?

📧 Just write to [email protected]

🎧 Listen to Airing Pain 88 at painconcern.org.uk/airing-pain-88-what-to-exppect-when-youre-in-pelvic-pain/

📣 Drop-in session at Craigmillar Library📆 Tues Oct 27th🕝 Pop by any time 11:00–13:00Not local to Craigmillar? Call our f...
20/10/2026

📣 Drop-in session at Craigmillar Library
📆 Tues Oct 27th
🕝 Pop by any time 11:00–13:00

Not local to Craigmillar? Call our friendly helpline to find out how we can support – 0300 123 0789

Craigmillar Medical Group

Niddrie Medical Practice

The City of Edinburgh Council

The Edinburgh Crisis Centre

VOCAL Edinburgh

Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership

LifeCare Edinburgh

iThrive Edinburgh

Sandys Community Centre

AI is changing the way people find information about their health. Researchers and healthcare professionals need to unde...
19/10/2026

AI is changing the way people find information about their health.

Researchers and healthcare professionals need to understand the implications of this.

In Airing Pain 155, Joshua Pate, Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, discusses both the opportunities and risks of AI in healthcare.

Pate focuses on human consequences: What actually happens when someone uses AI to interpret a symptom or a scan? Does it change how they access care? Does it increase their fear? Reduce it?

He argues that researchers need to study these questions while the technology is being adopted, rather than waiting for the dust to settle.

🎧 Listen now painconcern.org.uk/airing-pain-155-ai-technology-innovation/

📧 What direction should research on AI in healthcare take? We're collecting responses at [email protected]

‘A good insight into how pain works and the strategies and techniques for managing it. Sharing with and listening to oth...
19/10/2026

‘A good insight into how pain works and the strategies and techniques for managing it. Sharing with and listening to others was very helpful’

Learn more about pain & how to manage it at a free education session

Topics covered include activity, stress, sleep & flare-ups

📅 Thu Oct 29

🕒 11:00–13:00

📍 Brodick Free Church, Isle of Arran

⭐ This session is hosted by Disability Arran. Book now through Elizabeth: 07881 400064 or [email protected]

Please note that our sessions are relaxed & informal. You are welcome to contribute as much or as little as you feel comfortable.

More info at painconcern.org.uk/pain-education-sessions-funding/

'Published evidence shows that the most important thing for somebody who has pain is to be believed. Top of the list. Mo...
17/10/2026

'Published evidence shows that the most important thing for somebody who has pain is to be believed. Top of the list. More than medicines, injections, opinions, scans, they want someone to believe them’

Did you catch Dr Cathy Stannard on BBC Radio 4?

Cathy has 23 years’ experience as a consultant in pain medicine and is now clinical lead for the NICE guideline on chronic pain.

She recently spoke with Dr Chris & Dr Xand on their What’s Up Docs? podcast.

Why can’t chronic pain be treated with painkillers?

How does Cathy’s work impact her life?

And what happened to the ‘cheap as chips’ pain programme that got ‘amazing results’ but no referrals? The early stages of this programme were explored in last year’s Pain Matters 88, which was guest-edited by Cathy.

🎧 Listen now bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0032h7z

⭐ Pain Matters painconcern.org.uk/pain-matters/

We're running free 15-minute lunchtime sessions for Healthcare Professionals, Link Workers, Carers & Pharmacists. These ...
15/10/2026

We're running free 15-minute lunchtime sessions for Healthcare Professionals, Link Workers, Carers & Pharmacists. These are a quick, no-pressure way to find out how our NHS-partnered Pain Education Session can support the people you care for.

📍 Online

🕒 12:30–12:45

📅 Mon Oct 26
📅 Mon Nov 9
📅 Mon Nov 23
📅 Mon Dec 7

👉 Book now eventbrite.co.uk/o/pain-concern-83272333353

Questions? Contact [email protected]

What can your phone do for pain research?In the latest Airing Pain, Diego Vitali from University College London explains...
15/10/2026

What can your phone do for pain research?

In the latest Airing Pain, Diego Vitali from University College London explains how researchers are using everyday technology, including phones, to explore pain in people’s daily lives.

Participants receive short questions throughout the day about their pain, mood and activities. This information, alongside activity data such as step counts, can help researchers identify patterns around periods of increased pain.

The research is also exploring how AI can analyse voice diaries to help researchers understand emotional states and the wider context of living with pain.

Airing Pain 155: AI, Technology & Innovation

🎧 Listen now painconcern.org.uk/airing-pain-155-ai-technology-innovation/

Also on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major streaming platforms.

All episodes are transcribed.



This episode was made possible thanks to support from Postcode Lottery players.

Address

62-66 Newcraighall Road Unit 1-3
Edinburgh
EH153HS

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pain Concern posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share