Below you will find a break down of terms and abbreviations you might come across whilst using the Persistent Pain Service.
Persistent or chronic pain - Long term pain that continues after healing has occurred, often lasting greater than 3 months.
Acute pain - Short term pain often following an injury.
Neuropathic pain - Pain which comes from the nerves.
Nociceptive pain - Pain mainly from ligaments, muscles or joints.
Pacing - Is a way of managing daily activities which helps to avoid pain flare-up and promotes optimal engagement in meaningful activity.
Boom/Bust cycle - Describes a period of over activity followed by pain flare-up, resulting in enforced rest and reduced activity. This may lead to future avoidance of meaningful activity.
Titration - Is the process of gradually increasing or decreasing the dose of a medication.
Osteophytes - Extra bone growths found in joints.
Vertebrae - Bones of the spine.
Cervical spine - Term used to describe the neck. Made up of 7 vertebrae.
Thoracic spine - Middle section of the back between the cervical and lumbar area. Made up of 12 vertebrae.
Lumbar spine - Lower back area. Made up of 5 vertebrae.
Epidurals - Epidurals are injections into the spine given for the relief of leg pains.
Facet Joints - Are the small joints in the back where one vertebrae sits on another.
SI joints - The sacroiliac joint is where two of the pelvic bones, the sacrum and the Ilium meet at the bottom of the spine.
Coccyx - Bone at the bottom of the spine sometimes called the tailbone.
Discs - Discs are shock-absorbing pads between the vertebrae. They are sometimes referred to as intervertebral discs.
Spinal stenosis - A Narrowing of the spine which puts pressure on the nerves.
Scoliosis - A sideways curvature of the spine.
Kyphosis - Is a curvature of the thoracic spine which results in an abnormal rounding of the upper back.
Spondylosis - Is a term used to describe spinal osteoarthritis
Spondylolisthesis - A condition in which one vertebra moves out of alignment with another. Most commonly affecting the last two vertebrae of the spine.
Allodynia - Pain that occurs due to a stimulus that is not normally painful. For example, the light touch of clothing brushing against the skin.
Osteoarthritis - Is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in joints as a result of changes to the cartilage covering bones. It is often felt in the large joints such as knees and hips.
Rheumatoid Arthritis - Is an autoimmune disease . This means your immune system –which usually fights infections –attacks cells that line joints. It may cause pain and swelling of small joints in the hands and feet initially.
Fibromyalgia - Is a condition that causes widespread body pain and fatigue.
LBP - Low back Pain
DDD - Degenerative disc disease
FM - Fibromyalgia
RA - Rheumatoid arthritis
OA - Osteoarthritis
GP - General Practitioner
CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
AMG - Activity Management Group.
PMP - Pain management Programme
CRPS - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
NICE - National Institute of Clinical Excellence
WHO - World Health Organisation
TENS - Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
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We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.