Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Pain management is a field of health care which focuses on improving the quality of life of those who are in pain. It includes a variety of different methods for treating pain. 

The nervous system is responsible for command, communication, and control in your body. The nervous system is also responsible for everything we feel, including pain. 

Sudden pain with an exact cause is acute pain. This type of pain is usually resolved once the cause of the pain has been treated. Acute pain usually lasts for weeks or a few months at most. 

This pain is ongoing, lasting for several months or more. This type of pain remains even when the underlying cause has been removed or treated. 

The physical pain resulting from chronic pain is usually enough to cause psychological/emotional pain. Many people with chronic pain also suffer from depression, anger, and anxiety. 

Positive thinking has been shown in a variety of studies to make patients more receptive to a physician’s advice, which in turn makes the patient more likely to adopt lifestyle changes that their doctor recommends. These lifestyle changes may reduce pain or make pain more bearable. To learn more this topic, check out the positive psychology module

Many times, chronic pain is linked to inflammation. Switching your diet to foods that are anti-inflammatory can greatly reduce the pain you feel. Berries, broccoli, avocados, green tea, and fish can reduce inflammation thus reducing pain. 

In people suffering from chronic pain, exercise has been shown to increase mobility and decrease pain while simultaneously improving mental and physical health.

From family and friends to online support groups, it’s both important and helpful to have other people around you while facing chronic pain. Talking to others, especially those who have undergone a similar condition can be very beneficial for your mental health. Speaking with a health care provider is also an important step on the road to recovery. 

No, it is estimated that as many as 1 in 4 Canadians older than 15 lives with chronic pain. 

It’s important to know the pain you feel is very real, even if there is no physical injury or the injury appears to be healed. 

Most people only understand pain in the acute rather than chronic sense. Compounding this issue, the ongoing opioid crisis has led to many people viewing opioids as substances that are only abused and not used to relieve pain.

Unfortunately no, chronic pain is often unique to each individual. Therefore, healthcare providers will formulate a plan that will best deal with your particular needs. This is also why chronic pain is often difficult to treat effectively. 

Absolutely not!

In fact many people say that continuing activities they enjoy or find meaningful makes their pain much more bearable. Some people suffering from chronic pain like Keith Meldrum have turned to advocacy and are changing the ways we think of treating chronic pain. 

Check out the Goal Setting feature to set your own goals and celebrate your accomplishment of them! 

Opioids work by blocking pain messages in the body. While opioids can effectively block pain, they are also highly addictive. 

Drugs such as morphine, heroin, codeine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and others are all classified as opioids. 

Speak with a healthcare provider before you being using opioids. Many opioids have a high potential for abuse and this comes with risks of overdose

A drug called naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose thus saving a life. To learn more about naloxone, check out the Naloxone Module!

Positive thinking and lifestyle management modifications are helpful to manage your pain as they can create a healthier mindset and overall well-being.

Here are three things you can incorporate into your daily life: 

1. Mindfulness Meditation: helps redirect focus away from pain, encourage relaxation, and reduce the emotional stress of chronic pain.

2. Regular Exercise: consistent physical activity releases endorphins that are natural painkillers. This can also help flexibility, strength, and overall physical health of the body. 

3. Healthy Sleep Habits: sleep is important for the body’s natural healing processes, lifting up your mood, and reducing the perception of pain sensitivity.