Living Well with Chronic Pain

This is a 6-week class, once a week on Thursdays, September 12 to October 17, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:30pm EST.

It will be offered in-person only at the Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre at 161 Bridge Street West in Belleville, Ontario. Registration is required and participants are expected to attend all 6 sessions.

Priority will be given to those living in Southeastern Ontario.

The Living Well with Chronic Pain Workshop provides information and skills to those living with chronic pain, helping them better manage their condition and achieve their best health and wellness.

This FREE workshop is for adults of all ages experiencing a wide range of chronic pain conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, repetitive strain injury, chronic regional pain syndrome, post stroke or central pain, neuropathic pain, among others. These workshops are also open to family members and caregivers.

Participants meet for 2.5 hours, once a week for 6 weeks, and will also receive a free copy of the book Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain and the audio file "Relaxation for Mind and Body". The workshops are led by two trained leaders who are trained volunteers with chronic pain themselves.

Participants report improvement in their lifestyle and general health, as well as improved symptom management and better communication with their doctors. They also spend less time in the hospital compared to those who have not taken the workshop.

This workshop is an evidence-based self-management program originally developed at Stanford University and currently supported by the Self-Management Resource Center.

Session 1

• Overview of self-management
• Debunking myths
• What is chronic pain?
• Making action plans (all sessions)

Session 2

• Feedback/problem solving
• Fitness/exercise
• Pacing activity and rest
• Using your mind to manage symptoms

Session 3

• Feedback/problem solving
• Using your mind to manage symptoms
• Difficult emotions
• Fatigue/sleep

Session 4

• Communication
• Healthy Eating

Session 5

• Using your mind to manage symptoms
• Medications
• Depression

Session 6

• Using your mind to manage symptoms
• Communication
• Making treatment decisions
• Working with your health care professional
• Future plans

Host or Publisher Self-Management Program of Southeastern Ontario