CHRONIC PAIN
If you suffer from ongoing pain that has lasted for upwards of 6 month,
you are likely suffering from chronic pain.
1 in 5 Canadians are affected by chronic pain and the prevalence increases as we age. Unfortunately, for many people it can be difficult to understand how and why we experience chronic pain. Most importantly, many of us continue to seek out treatments to eliminate the pain and may experience a cycle of hope and despair as we go through a variety of treatments to "eliminate" the pain.
The cycle of
Chronic Pain
When the pain first began, you may have thought to yourself "ok, this will go away" or "I'll just go to the doctor and he'll give me something for it". As time has gone on, efforts to control or manage your pain have worked sporadically, at best. Worst yet, there may be moments during the week when you feel great only to get hit by intense pain once again. Each time, your hope for a pain free life dwindles. Over time, this cycle of pain can become extremely discouraging. The impact of longstanding pain is pervasive and can negatively impact multiple areas of your life; such as your work, your relationships, your hobbies, your sleep, your physical and mental health.
Treatment for Chronic Pain
While you might not be able to "get rid of the pain", you can learn strategies and tools to help you cope with the pain. Often times, pain is best managed using a multi-disciplinary approach. This means that a team of professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, etc.) are the gold standard of treatment. Medical treatments are used to relieve pain symptoms, while physiotherapy and psychological treatments are typically focused on increasing day to day function. Behavioural and cognitive strategies help minimize the impact of pain on your life. If you live in the greater Montreal area and want to take your life back from chronic pain, feel free to contact us.
