Public Service Anaesthesia

WHAT DO WE DO?

Northland Area Pain Service (NAPS) provides multidisciplinary assessment and treatment for people with persistent (chronic) non-cancer and cancer pain. NAPS also runs the Acute Pain Service at Whangārei Base Hospital which covers both surgical and medical services.

WHO ARE WE?

We are a small multidisciplinary team of two doctors, two nurses, a physiotherapist, and a psychologist specialising in pain. We are supported by consult liaison psychiatry and work closely with Northland Hospices.

TREATMENT WE OFFER

We offer whole-person treatment for persistent pain. We used the 5 + 1 Model  as our treatment model. The goal for treatment of persistent pain is to manage pain so that people’s physical and emotional functioning is restored, and overall quality of life improved.

The 5 + 1 Model covers six main factors:

• Biomedical
• Mindbody
• Connection
• Activity
• Nutrition
• Sleep 

RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH PAIN

We understand that finding accurate and helpful information on pain can be difficult. For general pain information and ways of treating pain click here.

For additional resources you may like to look at the following: 

Biomedical resources

• Why opioids do not work for persistent pain and other Brainman videos 
• How to 'tame the beast' 

Mindbody resources

• Psychological factors in pain - Cognitive Skills for Pain Videos
• Relaxation and breathing exercises 

Connection resources

• What is connection and why is it important in pain?
• Activity groups to connect with in Northland

Activity resources

• Information and resources on physical activity and exercise 
• Pain and physical activity 

Nutrition resources

• Information and resources on healthy eating
• Pain and nutrition 

Sleep resources

• Sleep tips