More Treatment Groups and Group Resources

Next Steps

Groups are not suitable for people with severe anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. We recommend that you ask to see a psychologist at the Chronic Pain Centre. Please speak with a group leader or a team member who can make a referral for you.

The next five treatment groups offer essential evidence-based information and strategies with the goal of reducing pain and improving quality of life. These groups are a key to success in this program. The majority of people are suitable for and can benefit from attending these groups:


Active Pain Coping: Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT) for Chronic Pain

(Formerly known as Self-Management Essentials)

When: 8 Weeks, 2 hour session each week

Taught by: Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, or Social Worker

Content Goals:

  1. Improve understanding of self-management of chronic pain
  2. Learn cognitive-behavioural treatment strategies for managing chronic pain
  3. Practice the Big 5 Skills: Self-monitoring, pacing, relaxation, self-talk, and communication
  4. Develop a daily coping plan and a flare-up plan for pain

Explore these other two very important resources:

Sleep Essentials: Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for Insomnia

When: 4 weeks, 2 hour session each week

Taught by: Psychologist

Content Goals:

  1. Learn about sleep stages, sleep drive, and causes of poor sleep
  2. Explore strategies for improving sleep including stimulus control, time-in-bed restriction, lifestyle habits, relaxation and cognitive skills
  3. Learn how to use a daily sleep diary. Develop a daily sleep plan and relapse plan.

Nutrition Essentials

When: 4 weeks, 2 hour session each week

Taught by: Dietitian

Content Goals:

  1. Learn dietary strategies for managing fatigue, poor appetite, and meal skipping
  2. Learn about bowel health (i.e., constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome)
  3. Improve understanding of hydration, glycemic control, food triggers and headaches
  4. Educate about anti-inflammatory nutrition
  5. Develop skills for food preparation and meal planning
  6. Provide community resources for food security and weight management

Medication Essentials

When: 2 weeks, 2 hour sessions each week

Taught by: Pharmacist

Content Goals:

  1. Describe the role of medications in the overall management of chronic pain
  2. Explain why it is important to establish goals, create a plan for monitoring, and weigh pros and cons when starting, continuing, or stopping medications to manage chronic pain
  3. Learn about medications used to manage chronic pain including common or serious side effects
  4. Define and discuss the following medication terms: physical dependence, tolerance, addiction, opioid use disorder, withdrawal, and overdose or opioid poisoning

The following groups offer a specialized focus and may appeal to a smaller number of clients:

Improving Function and Independence

When: 4 weeks, 2 hour session each week

Taught by: Occupational Therapist

Prerequisite: When registering for this group, you will also book a 30 minute telephone appointment with an Occupational Therapist to discuss your goals for this group

Content Goals:

  1. Learn about safe movement, posture and positioning options for chronic pain and apply these to your self-care, household management (e.g., cooking, cleaning, etc.) and work
  2. Develop strategies to manage your energy better (i.e., fatigue management) for your self-care, household management and work life, and help you find balance between your daily activities

Review adaptive tools, equipment options, and pacing strategies to help make your home more accessible and keep it accessible for the long-term

Intimacy Group for Women: Cognitive Behavioural Strategies for Chronic Pain and Sexual Function

When: 4 Weeks, 2 hour session each week

Taught by: Psychologist and Physical Therapist or Kinesiologist

Please Note: This group is not intended to address other concerns that may affect sexual function such as unresolved past sexual abuse/assault, domestic violence including verbal/emotional abuse, and significant marital conflict.

Content Goals:

  1. Improve understanding of the impact of pain on sexual function
  2. Learn cognitive-behavioural strategies and sex therapy strategies for managing the impact of chronic pain on sexual function

Yoga Group

When: 4 Weeks, 1 hour session each week

Taught By: Physical Therapist

Prerequisite: Call reception at 403-943-9925 to request the “Yoga Group Screening Appointment” if you have not already had an initial physiotherapy assessment with your team physiotherapist.

Content Goals:

  1. Learn a sequence of yoga poses and any necessary modifications

The following groups are being developed at the Chronic Pain Centre. These groups may change as they continue to be refined.

Know Pain: Unpacking Pain Neuroscience

When:  Every third Wednesday of the month, 1 hour session, rotating through 5 topics

Taught By: Pharmacist, physiotherapist, psychologist

What to do:

  1. Find out which topic we will be discussing this month
  2. Watch the original video if you haven't already
  3. Watch a few short mini-activity videos related to the topic to explore the concepts
  4. Click the Zoom link to join our meeting!

Content Goals:

  1. Increase understanding of essential pain concepts
  2. Practice exercises that demonstrate these concepts
  3. Learn to identify opportunities to change your pain experience
  4. Have an opportunity to dive deeper into the concept and how it applies, or does not apply to you

 

 

 

 

Zoom Meeting ID: 685 2280 4594

Passcode: 354682 

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