Chronic Pain Management Clinic

Chronic Pain Management Clinic

 Services

At the Oxford Street Therapy Centre's Chronic Pain Management Clinic, main treatment for joint pain involves corticosteroid injections and hyaluronic acid injections, while soft tissue issues are treated with dry needling incorporated into a Physiotherapy Consultation.

Hyaluronic Acid Injection

Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections (often referred to as "gel injections" or "visco-supplementation") are a non-surgical treatment designed to manage joint pain and stiffness, particularly for those suffering from osteoarthritis or "wear and tear." HA injections intended to replenish joint's natural synovial fluid. These injections can improve mobility, ease pain, and reduce stiffness by restoring lubrication and cushioning body joints.

Key Benefits:

Restores Lubrication: Replenishes the natural synovial fluid to reduce friction between joint surfaces.
Shock Absorption: Acts as a cushion to protect cartilage and improve joint comfort.
Anti-Inflammatory: Helps reduce swelling and pain without the potential side effects of steroid injections.
Long-Lasting: Many patients experience relief for 6 to 12 months after a single treatment.
Safe & Repeatable: Unlike steroids, HA injections can be repeated regularly without damaging the joint tissues.

What to Expect:

Consultation: A thorough MSK (musculoskeletal) assessment to ensure you are a candidate.
The Injection: A quick procedure where the gel is introduced into the joint.
Recovery: You can usually return to daily activities immediately, though high-impact exercise is discouraged for 48 hours.

Why Choose This Service?

Avoid Surgery: Often used to delay or prevent the need for total knee or hip replacements.
Specialist Led: Administered by registered specialist advanced MSK Physiotherapist
Fast Access: Appointments within the same week, with no GP referral required.

Steroid injections

Steroid injections (corticosteroids) are a highly effective, fast-acting treatment for joint and soft tissue pain. These injections are used primarily to "extinguish" inflammation and provide a window of relief for physical rehabilitation.

Key Benefits of Steroid Injections:
Rapid Pain Relief: Typically begins working within 24–72 hours, though full effects can take up to 6 weeks.
Reduced Swelling: Excellent for "flares" where the joint is visibly swollen or hot.
Diagnostic Value: Often mixed with a local anaesthetic; if your pain vanishes immediately (for a few hours), it confirms the joint/bursae is the exact source of your symptoms.
Improved Mobility: By reducing pain, it allows you to perform the physiotherapy exercises necessary for long-term recovery.

Commonly Treated Areas:

• Knee: Osteoarthritis or bursitis.
• Shoulder: Frozen shoulder, impingement, or rotator cuff issues.
• Elbow: Tennis or Golfer’s elbow or elbow joint.
• Hand/Wrist: Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, trigger finger/thumb
• Hip: Trochanteric bursitis (pain on the outer hip) or hip joint.
• Ankle/Foot: Osteoarthritis or impingement, Morton’s Neuroma
• Fingers/toes pain due to Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis

Comparison: Steroid vs. Hyaluronic Acid

Combined injection

A "Combined" injection—often referred to by the brand name Cingal—is a dual-action treatment that blends a corticosteroid (steroid) with hyaluronic acid (HA) into a single syringe.
Chronic Pain Management clinic specifically offer this "all-in-one" solution to address both the immediate pain of a "flare-up" and the long-term need for joint lubrication.

How the Combined Injection Works

This treatment is designed to solve the "waiting period" problem found in standard HA injections.
1. Phase 1 (The Steroid): Provides rapid relief (within 24–72 hours) by shutting down acute inflammation and swelling.
2. Phase 2 (The Hyaluronic Acid): While the steroid works, the high-concentration HA gel begins to coat the joint surfaces, providing long-term lubrication and cushioning that lasts for months after the steroid has worn off.

The Advantages

One Appointment: You get the benefits of two different treatments in a single session.
Best of Both Worlds: You don't have to choose between fast relief (Steroid) and long-lasting protection (HA).
Improved Outcomes: Clinical studies (e.g., on Cingal) suggest that combining the two can provide better pain reduction than either treatment used alone, especially in cases of moderate-severe osteoarthritis.

Is it right for you?

The combined injection is specifically recommended if:
You have Osteoarthritis but are currently experiencing a painful flare-up (swelling/heat).
You have tried HA injections before but found they took too long to "kick in."
You want to maximize the time between appointments (typically once every 6–12 months).

Considerations & Safety

The "Steroid Flare": About 10% of patients experience a temporary increase in pain for 24–48 hours after the injection before the relief kicks in.
Blood Sugar and blood pressure: If you are diabetic or have blood pressure issues, steroids can cause a temporary spike in blood sugar and blood pressure levels for a few days.
Tissue Health: Repeated steroid injections (more than 3–4 times a year in the same spot) can potentially weaken tendons or cartilage, which is why they are used judiciously.
Please make sure that:
You are not taking any antibiotics 2 weeks prior to the injection.
You should be free of any infection for 2 weeks prior to the injection.
you should not plan any live vaccination 2 weeks prior or after the injection.
You should not plan any surgery within 6 weeks of the injection prior or after the injection.
If you are taking blood thinners like APIXABAN DABIGATRAN, EDOXABAN AND RIVAROXABAN or If you are on Warfarin, please talk with the clinician before booking the appointment.

At the Oxford Street Therapy Centre's Chronic Pain Management Clinic, we utilise clinically proven hyaluronic acid brands, such as Ostenil Plus and Durolane, and Cingal selected for their extended relief and high safety profile.  These injections assist patients in regaining smoother joint movement and experiencing enhanced comfort.

Each injection is carried out following a comprehensive examination.

Pricing & Procedure at Oxford Street Therapy Centre's Chronic Pain Management Clinic.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a highly effective "Western" medical technique used primarily to treat muscle pain, stiffness, and "trigger points" (tight knots). At the Oxford Street Therapy Centre's Chronic Pain Management Clinic, we provide dry needling alongside traditional physiotherapy or injections.

What is Dry Needling?

Unlike traditional acupuncture, which is based on Eastern energy meridians (Qi), dry needling is rooted in modern anatomy and neurophysiology.The "Dry" Part: It is called "dry" because no fluid is injected. A fine, sterile filament needle is used to physically penetrate the skin and muscle.The Target: It specifically targets myofascial trigger points—taut bands of muscle that cause pain, restrict movement, and can even refer pain to other parts of your body.The "Twitch Response": When the needle hits the right spot, the muscle often gives a brief "twitch." This is a positive sign that the muscle is "resetting" and releasing its tension.

 Key Benefits:

• Releases Muscle Knots: Physically breaks up persistent tension that massage alone sometimes cannot reach.
• Pain Reduction: Triggers the release of endorphins (natural painkillers) and alters the way your brain processes pain signals.
• Improves Blood Flow: Relaxes the blood vessels in the tight area, allowing fresh, oxygenated blood to reach the tissue and speed up healing.
• Restores Mobility: By "untying" the knots, your range of motion often improves immediately after a session.

Service Details at Oxford Street Therapy Centre's Chronic Pain Management Clinic

Provides dry needling as part of their physiotherapy services.

Procedure & Costs

Integration: In this clinic, dry needling is typically not a standalone "menu item" but is integrated into a Physiotherapy Consultation.
Typical Session: 30 minutes.
Price Range: Initial assessments including dry needling are £80 with follow-up sessions involving needling around £60.
Expertise: Our clinicians have experience with elite athletes and chronic conditions and use needling to facilitate faster returns to sport and activities of daily living.

 Common Conditions Treated: 

• Neck & Back Pain: Neck and back muscles, tension headaches caused by tight neck muscles, sciatica
• Shoulder Issues: Rotator cuff pain and "frozen shoulder" stiffness.
• Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow: Chronic tendon issues that aren't responding to rest and forearm muscles
• Wrist/Hand Muscles
• Leg Injuries: Thigh and lower leg muscles, IT band syndrome, and "runner’s knee."
• Feet: Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis, and small foot muscles

Safety & Aftercare

Sensation: You may feel a tiny "prick" followed by a deep ache or the aforementioned twitch.
Post-Treatment: It is normal to feel like you’ve had a "tough workout" in that muscle for 24–48 hours.
Hydration: It is highly recommended to drink plenty of water after a session to help flush out the metabolic waste released by the muscle.

Contact: