Accordingly to a review of published studies, one of the consensus highlighting the significance of chronic pain in the UK, suggests that up to 8 million people in the UK live with chronic pain (htt://tinyurl.com/z95wqoy).

Pain represents a cascade of physiological, immunological, cognitive and behavioural effects, with an important emotional/affective component. In addition, psychological factors can significantly influence the experience of pain, for example, fear and anxiety can enhance responses to and interpretation of pain producing events (Hunt and Mantyh 2001; Linton 2000; Morley 1999; Munro 2007; Perkin and Kehet 2000; Ploghaus et al.2001)

Kim Patel, a counsellor who specialises in pain management, says counsellors would benefit from basic training in the mechanisms of pain so they can respond appropriately when clients come for help. ‘Training helps dispel myths and prejudices. So many factors can contribute to the experience of pain, including emotions and fear. Pharmaceutical and surgical interventions are never going to be whole answer; the research backs that up. Pain is processed in the brain, and to help people we need to work with the brain.’