Let Us Help

We are very proud of our NHS and the fantastic service it offers. Unfortunately, sometimes you may come across a waiting time that doesn't work for you and your symptoms. 

If you are on an NHS or GP waiting list for a joint injection in the Gosport and Fareham area, let us help by giving an extra 10% discount off our already affordable injection service and offering you an urgent, priority appointment. 

Simply fill in the form and we will contact you to arrange a free consultation.

We've also put together lots of helpful tips that can help manage your symptoms while waiting for your NHS injection.

Tips to Help You Manage When You Are on an NHS Injection Waiting List

1. Use appropriate pain relief. Even taking regular paracetamol can sometimes help take the edge off your symptoms. If you can take anti-inflammatories (NSAID's) try combining with paracetamol to get more effect. Or try an anti-inflammatory gel.

If you have pain at night make sure you are taking pain relief before bed. If you have pain with a specific activity such as as walking, try taking your pain relief 30 minutes before you go. Always consult with your pharmacist to ensure they are happy for you to take over the counter medications.

2. Try and stay positive and as active as possible. We know this is very much harder to do than say. But ensuring you don't spiral into a negative mindset is very important as this can make your pain worse. Try to find activities you can still enjoy. Even if this is something simple like reading a book or sitting on a bench watching the world go by. Small things can make a difference when your life has become smaller due to pain. This page has some excellent groups, workshops and 1:1 emotional support to help you live well in Fareham and Gosport.

https://www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you/our-services/fareham-and-gosport-wellbeing-service/

3. Work with your physiotherapist. A good physiotherapist can be worth their weight in gold! Listening, taking a thorough assessment and giving an accurate diagnosis, followed by a management strategy can often relieve your symptoms without you needing an injection. You can access a physiotherapist through the NHS or we can help direct you to one of our Specialist Physiotherapists.

4. Talk. Offloading your feelings can really help take the pain burden down a few notches. Try not to suffer in silence. Tell a friend or family member how you are feeling. Or offload to your healthcare professional. We always make time to listen to how you feel!

If you feel you need support with your mental health, this link gives information on mental health support in our area.

https://www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/help-crisis

5. Use appropriate aids/support. Using walking aids such as poles, sticks or crutches can sometimes help enormously. They can help offload your knee/hip/foot, which means less force is going through your painful joint.

Simple things such as tucking your thumbs into your pockets when you are standing can help support your shoulder. And putting pillows or cushions under your arms when you are sitting can take the load out of your upper limbs. Try not to lean or rest into one side on a regular basis and this can put repetitive load through one body part.

If you have hand, wrist or elbow symptoms make sure you are using an appropriate splint, to help support the painful joint. Sometimes this can take your symptoms down to a very manageable level.

Foot pain can often be relieved by wearing appropriate footwear- this is often off the shelf and many people find they can settle their symptoms once they know what to wear. 

Knee braces can often give a huge amount of off loading support to your joint, whilst allowing you to still get about on your feet.

Not forgetting support around the painful joint at night. Use a pillow between your knees or under your arm. Most joints respond well to some support especially at night when we are still for long periods. 

If you think you may benefit from a brace or aid but are unsure where to start, get in touch and we can help.

6. Maintain a healthy weight. If you are suffering from knee/ hip or foot and ankle pain, sometimes reducing the load through the joints can help reduce pain. First of all, we know that this is very much easier said than done. People all lose weight in different ways and some people find it easier than others. It can also be difficult when you are used to using exercise to maintain your weight then suddenly this stops due to your symptoms. If you feel you need some support, here are two NHS weight management programmes, which may help. 

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/

https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/12-week-weight-management-programme/