New ‘Pain Cafés’ will support those living with chronic pain in Cornwall

15 new ‘Pain Cafés’ are being launched in Cornwall, as part of a five-year project to ‘de-medicalise’ pain management for people living with chronic pain.

It’s part of a project which carries the mantra ‘skills not pills’ and is led by Chronic Pain in Cornwall (CPIC). So far, 50 professionals from Cornwall’s Primary Care Networks were given specialist training to help people self-manage their pain with less reliance on medication.

The professionals who have been through the ’10 Footsteps’ self-management training are being given guidance on how to set up peer support groups, in the form of ‘Pain Cafés’.

Known as ‘Pain Baristas’, these professionals include social prescribers, health coaches and physiotherapists.

You can read more information about the work of Chronic Pain in Cornwall and find your nearest ‘Pain Café’ here: https://pain.cafe

Sean’s Story

Sean Jennings, 62, has suffered from chronic pain since he underwent a routine hernia operation at the age of 32.

Sean was prescribed opioids and antidepressants for 25 years, however thanks to distraction and mindfulness techniques, along with exercise/movement to manage his pain, Sean is now five years medication free.

Here is Sean’s story:

The ‘Pain Baristas’ received their guidance at Chronic Pain in Cornwall’s inaugural meeting, which took place at the Eden Project in January.

The meeting was also an opportunity for networking, planning for year two and for Chronic Pain in Cornwall to launch its new digital arm – the Pain Café website – where groups will get their own web pages.

The Chronic Pain in Cornwall team said: “We hope for a future in Cornwall where people with pain can easily access support groups near to them and feel less alone and have more fun and activity in their lives”.