Integrated Pain and Spinal Service (IPASS)
If you’re living with persistent pain (chronic or long term) or a spinal problem, we can help diagnose your condition and provide support, advice and, in some cases, treatment.
Our Integrated Pain and Spinal Service (IPASS) covers two specialist areas; community pain service, and spinal assessment service.
Following referral to IPASS by your GP, our specialist clinicians will review your situation and recommend the right appointment and support for you.
If you’re living with persistent pain, we can help you understand and overcome the effect it’s having on your mind, body, emotions, and support you in living a meaningful life.
Your assessment
When your GP refers you to us we’ll invite you for an assessment which will last about 45 minutes.
We’ll send you an information pack including a questionnaire for you to complete the week before your appointment. It will ask you to write about how you feel, and how your pain is affecting your mood, sleep, and day to day life.
We encourage you share what you’re aiming to achieve with your appointments, and we ask that you think about different goals you’d like to work towards.
Depending on your condition we may offer a physical examination or refer you to one of our other services, but we’ll talk to you about these options.
Treatment
After your assessment, we’ll provide you and your GP with more information about your treatment plan.
Depending on your needs, we may offer options such as;
- A multi-disciplinary online Pain Management Programme
- An invitation to our specialist ‘Living with Fibromyalgia’ online group
- One to one specialist pain physiotherapy
- One to one specialist pain psychology
- Medication review
Before this, we recommend watching our video about understanding pain.
View our Understanding Pain Guide (pdf)
Watch our Understanding Pain video on our YouTube channel (new tab)
If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, or are interested in learning more about management of this condition, then you can also watch our Understanding Fibromyalgia video.
We encourage you to finish watching our Understanding Pain video first though.
Watch our Understanding Fibromyalgia video on our YouTube channel (opens new tab)
Understanding pain
Lorimer Moseley discusses the role of pain in helping our bodies interpret different feelings
Visit YouTube to watch the Why Things Hurt TED video (opens new browser tab)
The Retrain Pain Foundation have produced guides about understanding persistent pain
Visit the Retain Pain Foundation website (opens new browser tab)
The ACI Pain Management Network website has resources to help patients and clinicians improve their understanding of why pain persists
Visit the ACI Pain Management Network website (opens new browser tab)
The Pain Toolkit offers advice and support people to manage persistent pain. It is devised by Pete Moore who himself lives with persistent pain.
Visit the Pain Toolkit website (opens new browser tab)
DocMikeEvans video called 23 and 1/2 hours offers advice about making lifestyle changes to benefit your overall health
Visit YouTube to watch the DocMikeEvans video called 23 and 1/2 hours (opens new browser tab)
Managing your stress
Psychologist Kelly McGonigal talks about the positive aspects of stress, and how to talk about your experiences.
Visit the TED website to watch Kelly McGonigal’s video about how to manage stress (opens new browser tab)
Our spinal assessment service focusses on conditions affecting your neck, and your upper (thoracic) and lower (lumbar) spine.
When you’re referred to us, we’ll arrange an appointment with you which will last about 30 minutes.
You’ll be seen by one of our Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioners in Spine (APP), who specialise in spinal injuries and rehabilitation.
We’ll ask you about your symptoms and carry out a physical examination. To help us, we suggest wearing loose, comfortable clothing as we may ask you to do certain movements. We may also ask you to remove some clothing as part of the examinations.
You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your condition and ask us any questions you have. We’ll also discuss your possible treatment options with you.
Further tests may be required, but we’ll talk to you about these and arrange them when they’re needed.
We appreciate that getting back to your normal activities is important, and there are some things to remember as part of your recovery.
- Following the steps on your recovery plan can take time, but they can help you in the long run
- Feeling some discomfort is common and doesn’t always mean something is troubling – but you can contact us if you have any questions
- Remaining active can help your rehabilitation outcomes
- Pain killers may help you to stay active – but remember to take them responsibly and ask your GP or pharmacist for advice
You can find more advice on managing your back or neck pain from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), and our patient information leaflet from our MSK Physiotherapy team.
Read back pain advice on the CSP website (opens new browser tab)
Read neck pain advice on the CSP website (opens new browser tab)
To access our service, you need to be over 16 years old and registered with a GP in West Berkshire.
Your GP will assess your needs and recommend the appropriate referral.
We run IPASS clinics across multiple clinics in West Berkshire including Reading, Wokingham and Newbury.
When you’re referred to us, we’ll aim to provide you an appointment at a location to suit you, but this will depend on the type of assessment and treatment you need.
You can contact our team from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday if you have any questions.
| Day of the week | Times |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8.30am to 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8.30am to 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8.30am to 5pm |
| Thursday | 8.30am to 5pm |
| Friday | 8.30am to 5pm |
Our admin team are based at Finchampstead Clinic. However, please do not travel here, or attend one of our clinics, unless you have an arranged appointment with us.
Finchampstead Clinic
474 Finchampstead Road
Berkshire
RG40 3RG
Call IPASS Spine 0118 904 6139
Call IPASS Pain 0118 904 6140
Call BLIS 0118 904 6141
Email IPASS@berkshire.nhs.uk
For any clinical concerns outside these hours please contact your GP or NHS 111.
Urgent support
If you need urgent help or out of hours support, please contact your GP or NHS111 for advice.
You can find more advice on managing your back or neck pain from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP):
Read back pain advice on the CSP website (opens new browser tab)
Read neck pain advice on the CSP website (opens new browser tab)
