For one in five British Columbians, living with chronic pain is a daily experience. The experience of pain varies with each person and can be divided into two main types: acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain is usually the result of tissue damage, and usually subsides within a few weeks.

If pain persists for three months or longer, it is known as chronic pain.

Whether it’s a back injury or a broken toe, everyone experiences acute pain at some point of their lives. They endure the pain with the knowledge that healing will eventually take place and the pain will disappear.

Living with chronic pain can be draining and overwhelming as the injury is not visible to the eye and it doesn’t come with an instruction manual explaining how to live your life in order to lessen the pain. People with chronic pain need long-term treatment and therapy to manage their pain. The way they feel and process pain is different from those people with acute pain because of their long experience with pain.

There is so much more we can do than ignore the pain. And ignoring isn’t usually the best long-term
plan. It is our body’s warning signal that there is damage and action is required. It is possible that pain may be amplified by certain beliefs about pain, and past experiences of pain. Therefore, it is important to treat both your body and mind.

Next week we will discuss strategies you could try for managing your pain. Are you living with chronic pain? Whether you are personally living with chronic pain, or are the caregiver of someone living with chronic pain, the following two free pain seminars will be held in the South Okanagan:

Osoyoos: Tuesday September 19th 2017, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Osoyoos Seniors’ Centre (17 Park Place, Osoyoos)

Keremeos: Tuesday September 26th 2017, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Legion Hall (510 Veterans Avenue, Keremeos)

Local chronic pain experts, including a physician, pharmacist and physiotherapist, will be leading the
discussions and will be available to answer any questions you may have.

For more information about these free chronic pain seminars, please contact:
Renate.Hayden@sosdivision.ca or call 778-476-1878.

Brought to you by:
South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice
Joint Standing Committee on Rural Initiatives