Chronic pain is a challenging condition to live with on its own – unfortunately, many people living with pain also face mental health challenges. On this episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Tristen Wybou, Pain BC’s Coaching for Health lead, who has lived and professional experience facing chronic pain and mental health concerns. He shares with us the correlation between pain and mental health as well as steps those who are living with both can take to better understand their conditions. Listener discretion is advised. 

Not long ago, researchers would only involve people with lived experience in their work as research participants. Nowadays, patient engagement has become an essential part of the research process, but many researchers are unfamiliar with how to incorporate the patient perspective.  On this episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Dawn Richards, the Director of Patient and Public Engagement at Clinical Trials Ontario, and Linda Hunter, a semi-retired nurse and health care executive. Both live with chronic pain and are involved in patient engagement in research. With a panel of patient partners and the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, they have developed a course breaking down how to do patient engagement in research.  You can learn more about the course here: cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/27297.html#a2

Living with chronic pain can be an overwhelming experience. While no two bodies are the same, self-management is an invaluable tool many people living with pain find empowering and effective at improving their quality of life. Pain Canada’s new program, LivePlanBe+, is a free, virtual and self-paced tool aimed at people living with pain who are interested in developing their self-management skills. On this episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by David Hyldig and Ari Spence, two people who contributed their lived and professional experiences to the creation of LivePlanBe+.LivePlanBe+ is now available in both English and French. To learn more, visit: liveplanbeplus.ca.

Our understanding of opioids has changed dramatically in the past decade. The pendulum swing of policy guidelines and best practice has left many health care providers unsure how to best support patients with chronic pain. Pain Canada’s new program, Effective Prescribing of Opioids for Chronic Pain (EPOCH), aims to bridge that gap. This month on the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Kathleen Doukas, a family physician, lecturer and a faculty member for this program.To learn more about EPOCH, visit: painbc.ca/health-professionals/education/epoch

What does the future of pain care look like in Canada? This National Pain Awareness Week, we’re joined by Natasha Trehan of Take a Pain Check, a podcast, non-profit organization and virtual community for youth and young adults living with rheumatic diseases. She tells us about the inspiration for Take a Pain Check, her work with Pain Canada, and the importance of raising awareness of chronic pain during weeks like NPAW. To learn more about Take a Pain Check, visit: takeapaincheck.com

Eight million people in Canada live with pain, an experience that can be isolating. One of the goals of the brand new Putting the Pieces Together conference – designed by people living with pain, for people living with pain – is to create new connections and community. This month on the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Jenny Lorca, a somatic therapist, Pain BC volunteer, and a member of the steering committee for Putting the Pieces together. To learn more about Putting the Pieces Together, running from November 7-10, 2022, visit: paincanada.ca/events/putting-the-pieces-together

As many as twenty percent of British Columbians live with pain from a condition known as IBS – irritable bowel syndrome. While heavily stigmatized, raising awareness of IBS and similar conditions can help increase funding for more research and future treatments. This month on the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Gail Attara, the president of the GI society, who talks to us about what IBS is, resources for living with it and supporting loved ones. We hope no one’s sensitive to poop talk.

Providing appropriate care for chronic pain, mental health and substance use can be challenging to health care providers. That’s where programs like the BC Adaptive Mentorship Network come in, pairing experienced health care Mentors with Mentees in order to build their capacity to better support British Columbians with complex health concerns. On this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Sean Ebert and Brenda Poulton, the co-directors of this new initiative.

On January 1st of 2022, the World Health Organization unveiled their new classification standards for diseases. For the first time ever, they have recognized chronic pain as a condition. In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Maria Hudspith, the co-chair of the Canadian Pain Task Force, and Rolf Detlef-Treede, who lead the work on the WHO recognition of chronic pain. They explain what the ICD-11 is and how it could improve care for those living with chronic pain.

From cold weather to social stress, winter and the holidays often present challenges for people living with pain. Are there tips and tricks to make it easier? In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Danielle Harrison, a registered social worker and the Pain Support Line lead at Pain BC. She talks to us about how to stay connected to loved ones, set boundaries with friends and family, and gives advice on how to avoid seasonal depression.