According to the organizers of an upcoming information meeting, many people in Powell River are in pain. The latest research suggests one in five Canadians are affected by chronic pain, and pain is one of the most frequent reasons for visiting a health-care provider.
“Chronic pain is a real illness and affects more people than we realize,” says resident and chronic pain patient Tonya Foreman. “All we want is for professionals to believe it is real and to give us some hope that progress will be made. We want to know that there is support out there for the people who need it.”
Over the last year, Powell River Division of Family Practice, which is promoting a series of seminars on chronic pain, has learned that self-management is the best way to manage chronic pain.
Doctor Jacques DuToit, one of the physician co-leads of the division’s chronic pain project, says the approach to treating chronic pain has changed.
“The focus now is first self-management: empowering patients and providing them with tools to move forward in their lives,” says DuToit.
Relaxation and gentle movement yoga classes for chronic pain management are underway at Nourish Studios. Self-management and support groups continue to meet weekly and monthly, respectively, at Powell River General Hospital.
On January 31, a chronic pain information meeting will be held at Powell River Public Library from 4:45-5:45 pm. The event aims to raise awareness about chronic pain, connect patients with pain management resources and start a conversation about our community needs. After an introduction from family physician David May, there will be presentations by Pain BC and Self-Management BC.
Later this year, on April 26, an education session for health-care providers and a chronic pain public seminar will be held at the ARC Community Event Centre, featuring an expert panel, keynote presentation by leading pain educator Neil Pearson and information and resources to help support people on their pain journey.
Chronic Pain Information Meeting
When: 4:45-5:45 pm, Wednesday, January 31
Where: Powell River Public Library
Price: Free
Info: painbc.ca/powellriver
