Chronic Pain | Patient Resources & Support
1 in 5 Canadians lives with chronic pain. If you or someone you love is living with pain, you’re not alone. There are resources and supports to help.
The content here is from Managing Chronic Pain Together: A Toolkit for Patients + Practitioners, a booklet to support shared discussion on pain management, strategies + therapies, and resources. This has been developed as part of the Kootenay Boundary Shared Care Chronic Pain project with the input and guidance of local physicians, health care providers, and patient partners living with chronic pain.
Explore more information below including a listing of health care providers in our region with knowledge and expertise in pain management, as well as links to helpful resources recommended by patients and practitioners.
Your pain is real.
Nothing affects our well-being more than pain; whether living with a chronic condition like arthritis, an illness like fibromyalgia or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or adjusting after a traumatic injury, persistent pain has a significant impact on our quality of life.
The challenge of coping with chronic pain on a day-to-day basis can feel overwhelming.
Chronic pain can be managed.
The good news is that there are therapies and strategies proven to work, to reduce pain, and improve quality of life.
Multiple factors - physical, psychological, and environmental - contribute to chronic pain. A successful pain management strategy will consider these aspects. The right plan will be unique to you.
Reach out to your family doctor or nurse practitioner. They can work with you to develop a plan and may suggest a combination of therapies to consider, or specialist expertise to support your specific needs.
For a list of all local clinics, including walk-in options for patients who don’t currently have a primary care provider visit our KB Clinics Page >
Finding what works may require some trial, error. Don’t give up! By taking time to experiment with different approaches, you can figure out what works best.
A team-based care approach works.
Multidisciplinary pain management is a team-based approach to care. Different health professionals work together to provide treatment based on your needs - this may include your doctor, physiotherapist, occupational or exercise therapist, etc. - even though they may not work in the same clinic.
People who live well with chronic pain do best when they are valued, equal partners on this team.
Active self-management makes a difference.
Research shows that being actively involved in managing your pain can have a big impact on your quality of life. Self-management is about building new (and using existing) skills, trying out different strategies, and seeing what works best for you.
This can take patience. Peer support from others who are walking the same path can provide connection, opportunities to share struggles and solutions, plus help reduce feelings of isolation along the journey.
Therapies + Strategies
The most effective approach for long-term pain management is a combination of strategies. Medications may be part of your program to help manage symptoms or reduce inflammation. Of course, medications have risks and benefits, so it’s important to consider long-term use carefully with your doctor.
Physical
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Emotional & Mental Health
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Holistic & Complementary
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Lifestyle
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Explore a region-wide listing of practitioners with knowledge & expertise in pain management >
Helpful Resources
All Resources Listed Below Are Free | Available Virtually From Any Location | Recommended by Health Practitioners + Patients
Pain BCSupport and wellness groups, peer connection, coaching, educational materials, self-management resources and more. |
Bill Nelems Clinicwww.nelemspain.ca/services/pain-education-classes Online classes in pain education and pain management for people with pain to learn about chronic pain physiology and tools for effective self-management. |
Pain Support Line1-844-880-PAIN Confidential emotional support. A safe space to talk about pain and its impacts on your life. Information on advocacy, health care navigation, income supports, resources and more. |
Live Plan BeA tool to support those living with pain, with four main components: pain education, self-assessment tools, brief action planning, and a secure community forum. |
Self Management BCEvidence-based workshops, programs, and information to help build skills, confidence, and connection in managing chronic pain. |
For health care practitioners: One in five Canadians lives with chronic pain. Help improve health outcomes for your patients on their journey to manage complex and persistent pain. Visit our info hub for Kootenay Boundary primary care, allied health, and specialist practitioners including team-based clinical tools, resources, accredited continuing education, and community of practice opportunities. Practitioner Resources >
The Kootenay Boundary Shared Care Chronic Pain Project is aimed at strengthening our regional care continuum for patients with chronic pain and enhancing access to multidisciplinary care in our local communities.
Questions? Feedback? Get in touch: kbdoctors@kbdivision.ca