Group plans to help make pain bearable

From the archive, first published Friday 27th Apr 2007.

A CANVEY man who conquered chronic pain with new techniques is setting up a support group to help fellow sufferers.

Philip Rossell, 40, struggled to walk his dog or go on shopping trips due to his daily battles with pain.

Bad arthritis in his back and knees had left Mr Rossell, of New Road, Canvey, in a constant state of exhaustion and unable to work for long periods.

However, an eight-week pain management course organised by Southend Hospital helped Mr Rossell turn his life around.

During the sessions, pain sufferers were taught ways to control their pain through relaxation, stretching and managing medication and diet.

Since completing the course, Mr Rossell has gone back to work full-time and has halved the number of pain killers he takes.

Now, the Ford employee hopes to pass on his new-found wisdom to other pain sufferers with the help of specialists at a monthly evening group at Southend Hospital.

He said: "The group is for anybody who has chronic pain or temporary pain or is recovering from broken bones. I hope to teach them techniques to control their pain."

Mr Rossell said the support group would act as a valuable first step for pain sufferers seeking a way to ease their agony.

Chronic sufferers might then be referred on to the eight-week pain management programme by their GP.

"I hope to get this up-and-running as soon as we have enough interest from people.

It turned by life around and I can now control my pain a lot better," he said.

The evening sessions are open to anyone above the age of 16.

For more information, call Mr Rossell on 01268 691922, during evenings only, or 07922 001433. Alternatively e-mail: philiprossell @aol.com