During COVID-19, Pain BC continues to operate at full capacity and is rapidly mobilizing to address the emerging needs of people with pain. Our work in education, support services, research and advocacy have and will continue to pivot to meet the unprecedented challenges of this time. We’re in this with you.
Support and education for people with pain
Pain Support and Wellness Groups
To support physical distancing efforts, we have moved our Pain Support and Wellness Groups online. Groups meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month via Zoom and are free for all British Columbians with pain. We’re also offering a new, first-of-its-kind online group for self-identified men who live with pain. Find out more and register here.
Our new @ Home live-streaming series
Pain BC has launched a new series of free live-stream events to provide people living with persistent pain with accessible and safe options for movement, empowerment and connection during COVID-19. @ Home offerings are delivered live through Zoom and are available for free to anyone living with persistent pain.
- Gentle Movement @ Home sessions provide guided movement and relaxation for people living with pain from the comfort of their homes. Sessions are led by physiotherapists and other therapeutic movement professionals and are designed to help people with persistent pain learn to feel safe to move again. An archive of 37 session recordings are free to access on our YouTube channel . Find out more and access past recordings here.
- Mindful Hand Drumming @ Home sessions provide a safe and fun way for our community of people in pain to connect and reduce stress through mindful hand drumming sessions. Sessions have been facilitated by Alexandra Jai, a drumming and yoga teacher, and no drum or musical experience are required to participate. Access past recordings here.
Webinar: Coping with anxiety during COVID-19
In this free webinar recording, psychologist Dr. Angie Ji discusses the relationship between anxiety and pain and shares several coping strategies that people in pain can utilize to manage anxiety, and in turn pain, during this time of uncertainty. This webinar is open to both people with lived experience of pain and health care providers interested in learning more about coping strategies to share with clients. Watch the recording here or access a full list of resources shared during the presentation.
Pain Support Line
Our Pain Support Line remains open to provide support, resources and a listening ear to people with pain during this challenging time. Call the Pain Support Line at 1-844-880-PAIN (toll-free) or email supportline@painbc.ca from Monday to Friday between 9:00AM and 4:00PM.
Coaching for Health
As a telephone-based service, our Coaching for Health program is not impacted by physical distancing measures and is continuing to operate as usual. Coaching for Health provides one-to-one based coaching and support and requires a referral from a health care provider. During COVID, referrals can be accessed by connecting with your health care provider by telehealth (appointments that take place on the phone or videoconference). Find out more.
Education for health care providers
Online workshops: Chronic Pain Management for Registered Massage Therapists
To support physical distancing, our September and November 2020 workshops will be now be offered online via Zoom, making it accessible to RMTs from any region of the province. The workshop provides an opportunity to learn how modifications of traditional massage therapy practices can increase success and improve outcomes for clients with pain. In its new online format, the workshop will be broken up into two-hour blocks and will be held over three days. Participants must attend all three sessions in order to receive credit for this workshop. Find out more and register.
Research
We recently collaborated with a renowned pan-Canadian research team to launch a national study on the impact of COVID-19 and related restrictions on people living with pain in Canada. Canadians living with chronic pain were encouraged to take this online survey to share how the pandemic and associated restrictions have impacted your pain experience, treatment, daily living and well-being. The survey has now closed.
Advocacy
We’re working with federal and provincial policy makers to address emerging issues, including working through the Canadian Pain Task Force to secure an exemption to the Controlled Substances Act to ensure people living with pain can access needed medications during the pandemic.
Additional resources and supports for people in pain
We’ve created a list of news, information and resources specifically relevant for people in pain during COVID. This list is updated regularly as more information and resources become available. Read more.