Chronic pain: Quality prescribing - A guide for improvement 2026-2029
Mindfulness in pain
- Mindfulness involves paying attention to our thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations so that we can become more aware of them, less enmeshed in them, and better able to manage them. Mindfulness skills allow people with pain to explore what they are actually experiencing and noticing physically in the present moment. It allows people to recognise feelings associated with their pain, with open, non-judgemental, kind and compassionate acceptance.
- Mindfulness can assist people’s understanding of self-management of pain, providing options beyond medication and additional wellbeing benefits, including stress, anxiety, insomnia and pain31.
- Mindfulness techniques are taught as a way of managing chronic pain, not eradicating pain.
- Consider offering Mindfulness based approaches to manage pain for individuals who express a preference for this32.
Resources:
- Self-directed courses are available, for example, Mindfulness for Health by Vidyamala Burch and Danny Penman
- A free app and resources are available to guide individuals with mindfulness Insight Timer — #1 Free Meditation App
Mindfulness and connection
A 54-year-old woman was referred for a chronic pain review by the community pharmacist. She expressed her frustration at the lack of pain control despite high doses of multiple pain medicines. She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 11 years ago and has had depressive episodes. She was unemployed, rarely left her house, did minimal physical activity and lived with her teenager, with whom she had a difficult relationship.
The practice pharmacist reviewed her medication and suggested an initial plan for de-prescribing her opioids in a stepwise fashion. They recommended a ‘Mindfulness for pain’ small group course which was run online by a local pharmacist using NHS Near Me.
The mindfulness course was well received, with the individual able to acknowledge the contribution of emotional issues such as loneliness and relationship difficulties to her experience of chronic pain. She reported that she felt more in control of her pain after practicing mindful meditation regularly. Referral to the community link worker at the practice helped her identify volunteering opportunities which she subsequently took up, including a local food bank and a youth group.
Connection with others through mindfulness and volunteering has assisted with her ongoing management of chronic pain and successful de-prescribing of the majority of her opioids. The relationship with her teenager has improved and she is feeling much better and more hopeful. The community pharmacist still sees her regularly and noted that she now looks like a different person.