From our Executive Director, Maria Hudspith |
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For many years now, Pain BC has lent our expertise and experience to help build the capacity and strength of organizations, individuals and networks in the Canadian pain space whenever we could, often through informal relationships or partnerships. Since the release of Health Canada’s 2021 report, An Action Plan for Pain in Canada, Pain BC has been called to do more in order to bring pain advocates together and build upon the growing momentum on the issue of pain.
To meet that call, Pain BC is launching Pain Canada: a national multi-stakeholder action network, supported by Pain BC, bringing together people living with pain, clinicians, researchers, policy makers, non-profits, employers and others. While Pain BC provides the backbone support this initiative, Pain Canada brings together the leading organizations and individuals from across the country on the issue of pain.
Pain Canada is the first national multi-stakeholder initiative where people with lived experience of pain are at the centre of decision-making and priority-setting. Pain Canada will allow people living with pain to access support and self-management offerings, clinicians to access training programs, and organizations to access programs they can adapt and deliver in their own communities and contexts.
Pain Canada will create new opportunities for action by connecting people, ideas, organizations and resources to enable a Canada-wide movement. It will also mobilize resources to build capacity towards a common goal: dramatically improved systems of care and support for people with pain.
Pain Canada is seeking to unite a national community to develop country-wide standards, encourage relevant research, promote equity, amplify diverse voices, and champion the rights of people living with chronic pain to live the best possible life, free from stigma and discrimination.
Please visit paincanada.ca to learn more about this new national initiative and how you can join the movement. Together, we will ensure no one is alone with pain. |
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Pain BC programs, resources and updates |
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BC Adaptive Mentorship Network: Supporting health care providers in treating chronic pain Tune in to the newest episode of the Pain Waves podcast
Providing appropriate care for chronic pain, mental health and substance use can be challenging for health care providers. That’s why initiatives like the BC Adaptive Mentorship Network (BCAMN) are so important. BCAMN pairs experienced health care Mentors with Mentees in order to build capacity to better support British Columbians with complex health concerns. On the latest episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Sean Ebert and Brenda Poulton, the co-directors of this new initiative. |
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Apply to become a Pain Support and Wellness Group facilitator We are looking for volunteers to co-lead/facilitate groups in BC
Pain Support and Wellness Groups offer an opportunity for people living with persistent pain to meet on a regular basis to learn about self-management as well as receive and provide support, by sharing knowledge, experiences and coping strategies. Groups meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month with alternating afternoon and evening sessions.
Pain BC is looking for volunteer facilitators to co-lead/facilitate virtual Pain Support and Wellness Groups across the province. As a volunteer, you will receive thorough training and educational materials from Pain BC, as well as ongoing support from Pain BC staff to facilitate the group in your community. |
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Our supports for people with pain |
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 | Access our free pain self-management resources, including evidence-based articles, assessment tools, and an anonymous discussion forum. |
| | | Connect with Pain Support Line staff to talk about your pain, find information on community resources, learn about pain and self-management, and much more. |
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| Join an online group and build a community of support while learning about pain, pain management and coping strategies. |
| | | Receive one-on-one phone support and mentorship from a coach who will help you learn about self-management, regaining function and improving your well-being. |
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| Gentle Movement @ Home: Guided movement and relaxation for pain
Gentle Movement @ Home free online videos provide guided movement and relaxation designed to help people with persistent pain learn to feel safe to move again. Topics include breath awareness and regulation, body tension regulation, and movement and relaxation techniques in both seated and standing positions.
The full collection of Gentle Movement @ Home videos are available to view for free via our YouTube channel. |
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Upcoming Pain BC and partner workshops, webinars and courses for health care providers |
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| Pain Foundations for Allied Health Providers Pain Foundations for Allied Health Providers is an online course designed for allied health care providers to improve their understanding of chronic pain and how to address the challenges of pain assessment and treatment. This practical, compact course allows learners to develop clinically relevant approaches to chronic pain management and develop a strong grounding in pain science to support further exploration. The course is free for health care providers in BC and offered at a modest cost for providers outside of BC.
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| Pain Foundations for Primary Care Providers This practical, compact course allows physicians and nurse practitioners to develop clinically relevant approaches to chronic pain management, including non-pharmacological treatments and prescribing best practices. Learners will develop a strong grounding in pain science to support further exploration. The course is free for primary care providers in BC and offered at a modest cost for physicians and nurse practitioners outside of BC.
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| Gentle Movement and Relaxation course This free, online course will equip physiotherapists and other therapeutic movement professionals with practical knowledge and teaching resources to lead their own movement and relaxation programs for people living with chronic pain.
The Gentle Movement and Relaxation course is currently available to BC health care providers only.
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Pain BC relies on the generosity of our donors to deliver our programs and services. We gratefully acknowledge that many of our programs and services receive partial financial support from the Province of British Columbia, including Coaching for Health, the Pain Support Line, Pain Support and Wellness Groups, our chronic pain management workshops for health care providers, Gentle Movement and Relaxation course, LivePlanBe, Making Sense of Pain, Pain Foundations, and the Pain Waves podcast. |
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Other programs, opportunities and resources |
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International Invisible Illness Day 2022 Free virtual event takes place May 12, 2022
The Richmond Centre for Disability is hosting a free virtual workshop titled 'Empathy Instead of Sympathy Please', presented by Dave Thomson, with guest host Carmelle Jaeggle from Pain BC. The workshop will take place on May 12 from 10:30AM - 12:00PM PT over Zoom. To register, email dave@rcdrichmond.org. |
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ConnecTra's Abilities Expo: Reconnect 2022 Free in-person event on May 25, 2022
Join Pain BC at this free in-person event hosted by the ConnecTra Society in Vancouver. The expo will include adaptive activities to join this summer, resources to help with living with a disability, inclusive employment opportunities and more. Pain BC's presentation, titled 'Living Well with Chronic Pain', will define chronic pain, talk about what can be done to manage it, and share free resources for people with pain. |
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Canadian Congress on Disability and Inclusion Free virtual event takes place May 26-27, 2022
The Government of Canada will kickstart National AccessAbility Week with the first ever Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion. The event will feature prominent disability and accessibility advocates, an Innovation Showcase to highlight leading-edge accessible and inclusive projects, and a career fair for people with disabilities. Registration is free and now open. |
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Research and engagement opportunities |
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Study: Pain throughout the day
If you live with pain, does it change throughout the day? The CircaPain research team is studying how time of day impacts pain and wants to hear about your experience. This study is open to all adults who have had persistent pain for more than three months. Learn more and take the survey on CircaPain's website: circapain.ca. |
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Study: Tracking the parasympathetic nervous system and subjective state of well-being in chronic pain
The UBC Vision Lab is studying how parasympathetic activity tracked with a wearable sensor is related to emotional and physical wellbeing in chronic pain. You will be asked to wear a wrist sensor and respond to some questions for two months. If you are at least 18 years of age, a fluent English speaker, have chronic back pain and no heart disease, please contact Veronica Dudarev at studypain@psych.ubc.ca to sign up. |
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Resource on finding and using your voice as a partner in care |
The journey towards acceptance The Mighty asked people living with chronic illness what helped them accept their condition and then compiled their responses. Here is what they had to say. |
| Stop telling people with chronic illness to "try yoga" Yoga instructor Amy Denton-Luke reminds us that despite well-meaning advice from acquaintances, it's people living with chronic illness who have the best understanding of their own health. |
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© 2022 Pain BC Society. All Rights Reserved. 312 Main St Vancouver, BC V6A 2T2
Charitable registration number: 83220 0422 RR0001 |
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