Living with Pain: Why Managing It Means Looking Beyond Painkillers

Chronic pain affects millions of people across the UK, yet it often remains invisible. It can be constant, exhausting, and deeply personal — a “silent epidemic,” as many call it.

In a recent episode of Your Comfort Place, Dr Patrick Wynn, senior GP, hospital specialist and Chief Medical Advisor to Caversham Health, explored what chronic pain really is, why traditional painkillers rarely provide long-term relief, and how taking a more holistic approach can help people reclaim their quality of life.

long-term relief, and how taking a more holistic approach can help people reclaim their quality of life.

“The prevalence of significant persistent pain is around 23%, and it increases with age, affecting about 30% of older adults,” explains communications consultant Bernard Ginns. “The most common types of pain are back pain, headaches and joint pain — and it’s more common in women than in men.”

Those figures paint a stark picture — but behind them are real people trying to live, work and sleep through pain that doesn’t seem to go away.

What Does ‘Chronic Pain’ Really Mean?

According to Dr Wynn, understanding chronic pain starts with its definition.

“Chronic pain has a very specific meaning medically. It’s pain that’s persisted for more than three months.”

Anything might trigger it — an injury, infection, or back problem — but it’s the duration, not the cause, that defines it.

“Once a pain’s established for more than three months, how you manage it — as a doctor or as a sufferer — changes.”

At this stage, the original injury may have healed, yet the pain continues. “It’s not a physical injury anymore,” says Dr Wynn. “A simple painkiller won’t do anything for it.”

Pain in the Brain — And Why It’s Still Real

If a doctor says the body has healed, how can pain still exist? Dr Wynn points to the well-known example of phantom limb pain.

“Somebody might lose a limb but still experience pain in the limb they haven’t got. It’s because pain is experienced in the brain.”

Pain signals may continue to fire even in the absence of a physical cause. This doesn’t make the pain imaginary — it simply shows how powerfully the brain processes pain.

“It’s now pain in a pain cycle,” explains Dr Wynn. “And that’s why a simple painkiller won’t work.”

When Painkillers Stop Working

When pain becomes chronic, medication alone often can’t solve it — and in some cases can make things worse.

“A simple painkiller like codeine won’t do anything for chronic pain,” says Dr Wynn. “If you continue to use codeine, you’ll actually have an addiction problem… and it still won’t work for the pain.”

For long-term pain, the goal shifts from blocking pain signals to retraining how the body and brain respond.

Finding What Works — A Toolkit for Living Well

Successful management almost always involves a combination of medical, physical, and psychological approaches.

Dr Wynn often points patients to the Pain Toolkit, a self-help resource created by chronic pain sufferer Pete Moore.

“He managed his pain in a holistic way — with lifestyle changes, mental health, wellbeing, and avoiding drugs,” says Dr Wynn. “You’ve got to be thinking like that.”

Within the NHS, talk therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy all play an important role.

Some medications, such as neuromodulators, can also help by adjusting nerve signals — but they’re used temporarily, with the aim of reducing reliance over time.

Movement as Medicine

One of the most effective treatments can be the simplest: movement.

“I have chronic pain — I’m one of your 35%,” says Dr Wynn. “I took up Pilates, and the exercise has resolved the pain completely.”

He explains that Pilates strengthens muscles, improves posture, and offers a social benefit, too. The key is to find something enjoyable and sustainable.

“If you see a physio once a month and they give you exercises that hurt, you’re not going to do them. You’ve got to find something that works for you.”

Even walking short distances can make a difference. “If you can’t walk 500 metres, start with 25 out and 25 back,” he advises. “Stay within your comfort zone but build it up.”

The Mind–Body Connection

Mood and mindset play a huge role in pain perception.

“If you’re miserable and life’s terrible, pain is worse,” says Dr Wynn. “If you win the lottery, pain’s better.”

While few can change their situation overnight, focusing on mental wellbeing, social contact and good sleep can ease symptoms.

“If you’re in a dark place, pain will be a big focus,” he says. “Getting yourself into a good place — through therapy, better sleep, or changing your environment — is part of recovery.”

Even small daily actions can create momentum. “Little steps are spot on,” Dr Wynn adds. “Over time, those small improvements add up.”

Lady Doing Gentle Stretches

Alternative Therapies and Open Minds

Although outside NHS practice, many people explore treatments like acupuncture, homeopathy, and CBD oils.

“I’ve had acupuncture myself and found it incredibly helpful,” admits Dr Wynn. “What matters most is whether an approach safely improves your quality of life.”

Keeping an open mind can make it easier to find what works for your own body and circumstances.

A Holistic Approach to Living with Pain

Ultimately, managing chronic pain means addressing the whole person, not just the symptoms.

“The biggest part of it is the holistic, whole-person approach,” says Dr Wynn. “Getting the mental wellbeing in a good place, the right levels of exercise, eating well, sleeping well — these are all important factors.”

For many, the goal isn’t to eliminate pain completely, but to regain control — to reduce its impact and rediscover confidence in daily life.

As Dr Wynn concludes, “Exercise, wellbeing and mindset are as important as any prescription. Pain may be part of your life, but it doesn’t have to define it.”

View the full episode below.