The study of Anaesthesia. Anaesthetics are used to temporarily reduce or take away sensation, usually so that otherwise painful procedures can be performed, it stops you feeling pain and other sensations. It can be given in a variation of ways, a general anaesthetic is a state of temporary controlled unconsciousness. Local anaesthetic numbs a particular area of the body , but not the whole body. Pain can be acute or chronic and management of pain aims to reduce or eliminate pain and discomfort with the minimum of side effects.

Pain Medicine

Specialists in pain medicine are trained to assess patients whose pain has not been relieved by simple treatments, or by surgery.  They may order further investigations, for example blood tests or scans. They may use carefully chosen medicines, targeted injections or special treatments for the nerves that carry pain signals to the spinal nerves.  Pain specialists work in close co-operation with a variety of professionals, including pain management physiotherapists, clinical psychologists and other consultants.