NHS Inform: Patient information on chronic pain
Website includes: General overview, Self-help activities - What can I do for myself?, link to chronic pain self help guide and links to other organisations
Helping others to understand chronic pain
Information on assertive communication regarding the understanding of chronic pain for others (website from Cambridge University Hospital)
Created by a small group of healthcare professionals working in pain management, using a self-management approach with their patients. Also includes input from people who themselves live with persistent pain. Includes: Ten Footsteps programme and self-management resources Footstep 1: Pain and the brain – helping pain understanding
BrainmanTM Understanding Pain in less than five minutes
Five-minute video explaining chronic pain and options to support recovery
Video: Tame The Beast - It's time to rethink persistent pain
Five-minute video explaining persistent pain
Increased pain and tolerance with morphine-like medicines
A six-minute video from NHS Ayrshire and Arran discussing increased pain and tolerance from opioids
Video: The impact of chronic pain and how to manage it
Three-minute video discussing chronic pain, acceptance and commitment
A public health campaign with a clear goal: to change the way we think about, talk about and treat persistent pain. Includes information on chronic pain, real life stories and resources to help understand pain and move towards recovery
Webinar: Everything you thought you knew about arthritis
Flippin' Pain webinar on arthritis - 1 hour 26 minutes
Webinar: Fibromyalgia – making sure people who get it, get it
Flippin' Pain webinar on fibromyalgia - 1 hour 30 minutes
Live Well with Pain 10 Footsteps for Rehabilitation Plan
Live Well With Pain ten footsteps, considering pain and the brain; acceptance; pacing; managing mood, medicines and nutrition, etc
10 top tips videos on supporting self-management from Dr Tim Williams
A series of short videos (from 31 seconds to a few minutes) from Live Well with Pain. Dr Tim Williams presents 10 top tips for supporting pain self-management in primary care
Introduction video: Patient led videos on chronic pain
Produced by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde pain team. Includes understanding of chronic pain, flare ups, activity, stress and sleep
Individual's stories about their experiences dealing with and managing pain
Produced by NHS Fife as part of their Pain Talking resource
NHS Inform: coping with a flare-up of chronic pain
NHS Inform website sub-page on coping with a flare-up of chronic pain including self-management
Booklet: how to manage setbacks in chronic pain
Link to Live Well with Pain website for advice on managing setbacks in pain including a link to printable version
Reflections on recovering from a persistent pain 'flare'
A reflection from individual recovering from persistent pain 'flare' with top twenty tips from Living Well With Pain website
Leaflet: Managing emotions with chronic pain leaflet
A Pain Concern leaflet to help explore how chronic pain can affect your life and how to address these emotional effects
Video about pain, activity and pacing
27-minute video of a GP/patient discussion on pain, activity and pacing produced by NHS GGC
Booklet: Pain management goal setting
An eight-page booklet with problem solving example, pages for own goals and weekly plans, and personal action plan from NHS Highland
Website: Individual experiences on pain management pacing and goal setting
Short videos of how people used pacing to achieve their goals from Healthtalk/Dipex charity
Quick Guide for Accessing Silvercloud CBT app - National Wellbeing Hub
Information on National Wellbeing Hub regarding access to Silvercloud CBT app
Quick Guide for Accessing Sleepio - National Wellbeing Hub
Information on National Wellbeing Hub regarding access to Sleepio app
Website: Improve your sleep - general advice
General advice on improving sleep from charity Sleep Action
Leaflet: how to sleep well with pain and advice points
A 10-page leaflet with five changes to improve sleep in those with chronic pain from Live Well With Pain
Recording of progressive muscle relaxation instructions
An eight-minute voice recording of directed progressive muscle relaxation
Five-minute recording to support soothing rhythm breathing
A breathing exercise to promote calmness to self soothe from Royal Preston Hospital
Free meditation app - Insight Timer
Personalised programmes to support better sleep, relaxation, etc
Website with assorted relaxation exercises
Website explaining use of guided imagery, with links to voice recordings of peaceful setting, e.g. a beach or a meadow, from NHS Guy’s and St Thomas’ Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals
Weblink to information on impact of nutrition on pain from Live Well with Pain
Videos of true stories from Live Well with Pain website
Assortment of videos of varying length
A three-minute video with Colin reflecting on his pain journey, produced by NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Leaflet: West of Scotland mindfulness resources
(12 languages available)
Leaflet: Where do medicines fit in
A 24-page booklet from Live Well With Pain discussing:
Leaflet: Information for individuals about opioid tapering/reduction
Includes information on long-terms side effects of opioids, why to decrease opioids, what to expect when reducing doses and how to do so
Leaflet: Opioid side effect lottery
A leaflet from Live Well With Pain detailing the potential side-effects of opioids which individuals can use to identify adverse effects
Leaflet: Opioid medicines and the risk of addiction
An MHRA leaflet designed to help individuals in using opioid medicines safely
A leaflet from Live Well With Pain, showing the relative doses of opioids and associated risks
Real Stories - Painkillers Don't Exist
A series of people’s own experiences of living with pain, management and adverse effects of analgesics
Pain Association Scotland website
A national charity that delivers professionally led self-management pain education in the community with local groups, pain management courses and assorted videos.
Tel: 0800 783 6059 (to join a group)
Arthritis UK website (formerly Versus Arthritis – a merger of Arthritis Care and Arthritis Research UK)
Information on: arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, how to manage symptoms including pain, sleep, fatigue and local groups. Tel: 0800 5200 520
Pain concern is a charity working to improve the lives of people living with pain and those who care for them. They have information and resources, including a radio programme ‘Airing pain’ Tel 0300 123 0789
NHS Fife Pain management jigsaw
Chronic pain: Quality prescribing - A guide for improvement 2026-2029