Welcome to our Chronic Pain Group Therapy, a transformative interdisciplinary program designed to support individuals self-manage chronic pain effectively and regain control over their lives. Our holistic approach combines education, therapy, and support, tailored to meet the unique needs of each participant. This program offers a comprehensive path to understanding and managing pain, improving quality of life through expert guidance and peer support. Our program includes collaborative work with occupational therapists, yoga therapists, kinesiologists, psychotherapists, and nurse practitioners.
Who Would Benefit?
This program is ideal for individuals experiencing chronic pain that persists beyond the expected healing period, typically more than 3 to 6 months. Whether your pain stems from injury, illness, or other causes, our group therapy program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage pain and enhance your overall well-being.
Program Overview
Our structured 11-week program is designed to address various aspects of chronic pain management through the following modules:
Week 1: Understanding Pain and Energy Conservation
• All About Pain: Led by an occupational therapist, this session introduces how pain works in the brain and explores the biopsychosocial model of pain.
• Pacing and Planning: Led by an occupational therapist, learn energy conservation strategies, including pacing, planning, prioritizing, and positioning, to better manage daily activities and reduce fatigue.
Week 2: Guided Exercise
• Yoga Sessions: Let by a yoga therapist, engage in gentle yoga exercises that promote flexibility and relaxation, helping to alleviate tension and enhance well-being.
• Physical Activity: Led by a kinesiologist, learn about the positive effects of movement and engage in guided exercises.
Week 3: Goal Setting
• Goal Setting: Led by an occupational therapist, learn about SMART goals and begin setting goals to support self-management of pain.
• Yoga Sessions: Led by a yoga therapist, continue practicing yoga to enhance physical flexibility and mental calm, focusing on exercises that reduce pain and promote healing.
Week 4: Emotional Regulation
• Pain and Emotions: Led by an occupational therapist, explore the link between pain and emotions, learning stress management and mindfulness techniques to reduce emotional distress.
Week 5: Emotional Regulation, continued
• Thoughts and Feelings: Led by a psychotherapist, explore the thoughts and feelings about pain, engaging in therapeutic arts.
Week 6: Lifestyle
• Sleep Hygiene: Led by an occupational therapist, discover strategies to improve sleep quality and understand the connection between sleep and chronic pain.
• Exercise: Led by a kinesiologist, continue with a guided exercise program.
Week 7: Coping Strategies
• Ruminating Thoughts: Led by a psychotherapist, explore coping strategies to manage anxious and ruminating thoughts.
• Yoga Sessions: Led by a yoga therapist, continue practicing yoga to enhance physical flexibility and mental calm, focusing on exercises that reduce pain and promote healing.
Week 8: Social Activity
• Communication Skills: Let by an occupational therapist, develop assertiveness and effective communication techniques to navigate personal and professional relationships while managing pain.
• Friends and Family: Led by a psychotherapist, explore strategies for managing emotions in social situations.
Week 9: Lifestyle, continued
• Healthy Eating for Chronic Pain: A session led by a dietician/nurse practitioner, highlighting the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet and offering practical dietary guidance.
• Personalized Yoga Sessions: Led by a yoga therapist, benefit from customized yoga practices that address specific pain points and enhance overall well-being.
Week 10: Building a Pain Management Toolbox
• Managing Flare-Ups: Led by an occupational therapist, learn how to identify and manage pain flare-ups with coping tools and relaxation techniques.
• Yoga Sessions: Led by a yoga therapist, continue yoga practice and mindfulness, implementing these practices for flare-up management.
• Exploring Treatment Options: Led by a nurse practitioner, this module covers medication management, medical interventions, and alternative therapies.
Week 11: Summary
• Pain Toolbox: Led by an occupational therapist, create a personalized toolkit of strategies to manage chronic pain effectively in daily life.
• Program Reflection and Planning: Review progress and achievements, setting a plan for continued success beyond the program.