BLACKTHORN HEALTH CENTRE PATIENT SUPPORT GROUP hosted a presentation by Barbara Sharp, physiotherapist and musculoskeletal services manager at the Stoneham Centre, Moorgreen Hospital, and Dr Mark Tomson on Wednesday evening May 18th at the Hamble Skills Centre. Over 60 people attended the event, including GPs and practice staff, although, disappointingly, many patients who had expressed an interest and received a personal invitation failed to attend!

Those who did learnt that the services provided by secondary care, i.e. beyond GP services, vary geographically according to contracts provided by different PCTs, but that patients have choices as to their treatments within NICE guidelines.

Many patients are disappointed that they are not sent for tests when they are in severe pain, but Barbara confirmed that X-rays and MRI scans rarely reveal the cause of pain, but that does not mean that the pain is not real. She explained the difference between acute and chronic pain, the effects pain has on lifestyle and some of the treatments available from physiotherapy to pain management programmes.

She taught us a technique that she calls "sloshing". This involves movement of the joints every twenty minutes or so to keep the fluids in joints moving, and improve the blood supply to those joints.

Dr Tomson gave a brief resume of painkillers and anti inflammatory drugs and tried to allay the fear that masking pain may mean further damage could happen. It is most important to have sufficient pain relief to be able to keep moving and have a life not restricted by pain.

Barbara has provided the PSG with a resources list which will be made available in the Waiting Room soon, but in particular she recommends a book called

"THE BACK BOOK" (ISBN 0117020788) published by The Stationary Office (1997). It is available in many places including Amazon for £1.25.

The PSG hopes that more events like this will be held in the future and suggestions for topics are requested. Please contact Suzanne Thomas via Reception or email blackthornpsg@live.co.uk

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