May 2024 Pain BC Newsletter
Preparing for surgery: actions you can take before and after to manage your pain
New free course from Pain Canada for people preparing for surgery
Preparing for an operation can be daunting process, physically and psychologically. It can be difficult to anticipate what to expect after surgery, which can be a source of stress for a person awaiting surgery and their loved ones. Thankfully, you can take steps before surgery to make recovery smoother. Evidence shows learning about pain before an operation helps people undergoing surgery have an easier recovery.

Knowledge plays an important role in creating a sense of control, even in overwhelming circumstances. It also helps those recovering from surgery use prescribed medications safely and effectively and learn strategies to make pre and post-surgical pain far more manageable.

Family and friends supporting someone undergoing surgery also benefit from an improved understanding of pain, as it will help them better anticipate their loved ones needs and experiences.

If you or someone you know is about to undergo an operation, check out Pain Canada's new free online course, Managing Pain Before and After Surgery. The brief course is self-paced, with each of the modules taking 30 - 45 minutes to complete. There's an additional module for people who are already living with persistent pain prior to surgery, who may need to tailor their approach to create a personalized strategy.

Interested in learning more? Visit the link below.
Pain BC programs, resources and updates
BC Adaptive Mentorship Network recruiting Mentees
Are you a health care professional looking for better ways to support patients living with complex pain, mental health conditions and substance use?

Our BC Adaptive Mentorship Network for Pain, Mental Health and Substance Use (BCAMN) for community-based primary care providers and allied health care professionals connects Mentees with Mentors in a safe, non-judgmental community for group-based mentoring, learning opportunities, and on-demand one-to-one mentoring conversations.

BCAMN is currently recruiting Mentees for the program. If you are a practicing health care professional and would like to apply to become a Mentee, please complete an application form.
Our supports for people with pain
LivePlanBe+ logo
Knowledge is power. Learn to manage pain and improve well-being though our library of evidence-based articles on LivePlanBe or start a customized program on LivePlanBe+.
Connect with Pain Support Line staff to talk about your pain, find information on community resources, learn about pain and self-management, and much more.
Join an online group and build a community of support while learning about pain, pain management and coping strategies.
Receive one-on-one phone support and mentorship from a coach who will help you learn about self-management, regaining function and improving your well-being.
Gentle Movement @ Home: Guided movement and relaxation for pain
Gentle Movement @ Home free online videos provide guided movement and relaxation designed to help people with persistent pain learn to feel safe to move again. Topics include breath awareness and regulation, body tension regulation, and movement and relaxation techniques in both seated and standing positions.

The full collection of Gentle Movement @ Home videos are available to view for free via our YouTube channel.
Professional education for health care providers from Pain BC and our partners
Chronic Pain Insights: A free course for health care providers
Chronic Pain Insights is Pain Canada's new free, self-paced online program for health care providers who want to build skills and knowledge of pain in the perioperative context. The free online program covers clinically relevant strategies for managing pain before and after surgery, with an emphasis on self-management strategies patients can use.

National Pain Rounds - June 21, 2024 at 9:00AM PST
Join the Canadian Pain Society on the last Friday of every month for an online discussion between scientists, health professionals, educators, and pain advocates on a myriad of topics related to chronic pain. Upcoming National Pain Rounds sessions are June 21 and September 27.

Pain Foundations
Pain Foundations is an online program from Pain Canada designed for health care providers to improve their understanding of chronic pain and how to address the challenges of pain assessment and treatment. This practical, compact course allows learners to develop clinically relevant approaches to chronic pain management and develop a strong grounding in pain science to support further exploration.

Moving Through Pain: A free course for health care providers
Moving Through Pain is Pain Canada's new free, self-paced online program for health care providers who want to support people living with pain to move with more ease. Learners who complete Moving Through Pain will be equipped with the practical knowledge and teaching resources to support people living with pain to engage in gentle movement and relaxation as part of a supported self-management plan.

Pain BC relies on the generosity of our donors to deliver our programs and services. We gratefully acknowledge that many of our programs and services receive partial financial support from the Province of British Columbia, including Coaching for Health, the Pain Support Line, Pain Support and Wellness Groups, LivePlanBe, Making Sense of Pain, and the Pain Waves podcast.
Other programs, opportunities and resources
Resources for Canadians living with arthritis
List of evidence-based resources for Canadians living with rheumatic conditions

Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH) has compiled a list of free resources for people living with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. Topics covered include managing pain flares and arthritis, navigating the health care system, mental health and RA, and many more.
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Navigating substance use in chronic pain management
Free webinar from Power Over Pain Portal on June 6, 2024 at 10:00AM PST
Power Over Pain Portal is offering a free webinar on June 6, 2024 at 10:00AM PST on how pain can safely and effectively be treated for those using substances outside of a medical plan.

Recordings of the webinar will be available for those who cannot attend the live session. To check out other upcoming webinars from Power Over Pain Portal, visit: portal.poweroverpain.ca/events
Mental health and chronic pain: Two sides of the same coin
Free webinar from The Chronic Pain Center of Excellence for Canadian Veterans on June 12, 2024 at 9:00AM PST

The Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE) and The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families (Atlas) are offering a free webinar on June 12, 2024 at 9:00AM PST on the intersection of chronic pain and mental health for Veterans. This webinar will explore the impacts of chronic pain on mental health and well-being and vice versa, sharing the latest research, treatment strategies and the importance of a holistic approach to care.
Research and engagement opportunities
Study: Chronic Pain Group Peer Support (GPS) for Adolescents
Researchers at the University of Guelph are conducting a study to better understand the perspectives of adolescents (12-18) with chronic pain as they design a Chronic Pain Group Peer Support (GPS) for Adolescents program. Caregivers and health care providers of adolescents with chronic pain are also encouraged to reach out. To participate, please email Delane Linkiewich (PhD student living with pain) at pphc.res@uoguelph.ca.
University of Guelph logo
Study: Power Over Pain Portal for Youth
The Power Over Pain Portal for Youth is an online tool designed to help young people manage their pain. Researchers are seeking participants aged 12-18 who have been experiencing pain for three months or longer. Participation will involve answering online questionnaires, using the Power Over Pain Portal for eight weeks, and optionally completing a feedback interview. All participants will receive volunteer hours and a gift card.
Power Over Pain portal for youth logo
In the news
Podcast episode: The importance of exercise for people living with arthritis
Cheryl Koehn, president of Arthritis Consumer Experts, interviews physiotherapy-health literacy PhD student Ellen Wang on the importance of exercise for people living with arthritis on this episode of Arthritis at Home.
BC helicopter charity delivers health care access to remote areas of Canada
Helicopters Without Borders specializes in bringing health care professionals to remote communities with limited access to medical care.
Are non-BC patients jumping the health care queue?
In this article from Global News, reporters investigate claims that patients from other provinces and territories are jumping health care queues in BC because their governments are buying spots on the waiting lists.
Perspectives from women living with chronic pain: A panel discussion
In case you missed Power Over Pain Portal's panel discussion on women living with chronic pain, the recording is available now.
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