Chronic pain is long term pain that does not resolve. It can be intermittent, mild to severe, and often impacts a person’s quality of life.
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Chronic pain can significantly affect a person’s physical and emotional well-being, often leading to fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It can also interfere with daily activities, work, and social interactions, reducing overall quality of life.
Learn More
- Common causes of chronic pain for all ages include arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, nerve damage (neuropathy), migraines, injuries or trauma, autoimmune diseases, and conditions like osteoporosis or sciatica.
- Know that chronic pain often requires a multi-faceted approach, combining medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and emotional support to achieve long-term relief.
- Learn more about chronic pain from Healthlink BC.
- Learn about resources for chronic pain from the Division of Family Practice.
Things You Can Do
- Talk to your physician or nurse practitioner about all aspects of your pain including the frequency and intensity of the pain.
- Keep a record of your pain on your health calendar (print or phone), or notes app, or in a pain diary. Include when it started, description and location of the pain, time of day, any connection to food or activities, and impact on your sleep. A good description can help health care providers find the source and plan treatment.
- Be familiar about your patient rights and know how to communicate your personal boundaries and needs to others.
- Keep your medication list updated including any over the counter medications (OTC), side effects and or allergies.
- Let your physician or nurse practitioner know about any therapies you try and any results and/or side effects you experience.
Find Support
- Learn ways to get help, support, and resources from Pain BC. Contact their Pain Support Line at 1-884-880-PAIN.
- Learn from others on ways to deal with pain from personal testimonials and stories at LivePlanBe.
- Explore therapies such as massage, physiotherapy, exercise, and acupuncture to help relieve pain and help to improve the quality of your life.
- See if your health benefits, medical services plan coverage (MSP), and/or supplementary benefits coverage the cost of the treatments you choose.
- Be aware that different cultures experience and treat chronic pain differently. Learn about Indigenous peoples’ experiences with chronic pain from Pain BC.