Chronic pain is a challenging condition to live with on its own – unfortunately, many people living with pain also face mental health challenges. On this episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Tristen Wybou, Pain BC’s Coaching for Health lead, who has lived and professional experience facing chronic pain and mental health concerns. He shares with us the correlation between pain and mental health as well as steps those who are living with both can take to better understand their conditions. Listener discretion is advised.

Not long ago, researchers would only involve people with lived experience in their work as research participants. Nowadays, patient engagement has become an essential part of the research process, but many researchers are unfamiliar with how to incorporate the patient perspective.  On this episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Dawn Richards, the Director of Patient and Public Engagement at Clinical Trials Ontario, and Linda Hunter, a semi-retired nurse and health care executive. Both live with chronic pain and are involved in patient engagement in research. With a panel of patient partners and the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, they have developed a course breaking down how to do patient engagement in research.  You can learn more about the course here: cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/27297.html#a2

Living with chronic pain can be an overwhelming experience. While no two bodies are the same, self-management is an invaluable tool many people living with pain find empowering and effective at improving their quality of life. Pain Canada’s new program, LivePlanBe+, is a free, virtual and self-paced tool aimed at people living with pain who are interested in developing their self-management skills. On this episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by David Hyldig and Ari Spence, two people who contributed their lived and professional experiences to the creation of LivePlanBe+.LivePlanBe+ is now available in both English and French. To learn more, visit: liveplanbeplus.ca.

Our understanding of opioids has changed dramatically in the past decade. The pendulum swing of policy guidelines and best practice has left many health care providers unsure how to best support patients with chronic pain. Pain Canada’s new program, Effective Prescribing of Opioids for Chronic Pain (EPOCH), aims to bridge that gap. This month on the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Kathleen Doukas, a family physician, lecturer and a faculty member for this program.To learn more about EPOCH, visit: painbc.ca/health-professionals/education/epoch

What does the future of pain care look like in Canada? This National Pain Awareness Week, we’re joined by Natasha Trehan of Take a Pain Check, a podcast, non-profit organization and virtual community for youth and young adults living with rheumatic diseases. She tells us about the inspiration for Take a Pain Check, her work with Pain Canada, and the importance of raising awareness of chronic pain during weeks like NPAW. To learn more about Take a Pain Check, visit: takeapaincheck.com

Eight million people in Canada live with pain, an experience that can be isolating. One of the goals of the brand new Putting the Pieces Together conference – designed by people living with pain, for people living with pain – is to create new connections and community. This month on the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Jenny Lorca, a somatic therapist, Pain BC volunteer, and a member of the steering committee for Putting the Pieces together. To learn more about Putting the Pieces Together, running from November 7-10, 2022, visit: paincanada.ca/events/putting-the-pieces-together

As many as twenty percent of British Columbians live with pain from a condition known as IBS – irritable bowel syndrome. While heavily stigmatized, raising awareness of IBS and similar conditions can help increase funding for more research and future treatments. This month on the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Gail Attara, the president of the GI society, who talks to us about what IBS is, resources for living with it and supporting loved ones. We hope no one’s sensitive to poop talk.

Providing appropriate care for chronic pain, mental health and substance use can be challenging to health care providers. That’s where programs like the BC Adaptive Mentorship Network come in, pairing experienced health care Mentors with Mentees in order to build their capacity to better support British Columbians with complex health concerns. On this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Sean Ebert and Brenda Poulton, the co-directors of this new initiative.

On January 1st of 2022, the World Health Organization unveiled their new classification standards for diseases. For the first time ever, they have recognized chronic pain as a condition. In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Maria Hudspith, the co-chair of the Canadian Pain Task Force, and Rolf Detlef-Treede, who lead the work on the WHO recognition of chronic pain. They explain what the ICD-11 is and how it could improve care for those living with chronic pain.

From cold weather to social stress, winter and the holidays often present challenges for people living with pain. Are there tips and tricks to make it easier? In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Danielle Harrison, a registered social worker and the Pain Support Line lead at Pain BC. She talks to us about how to stay connected to loved ones, set boundaries with friends and family, and gives advice on how to avoid seasonal depression.

Research into chronic pain is, relatively speaking, quite young – there’s a lot science still doesn’t understand. Could there be a connection between where you are on the globe, circadian rhythms, and pain? In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Nader Ghasemlou, the principle investigator for the upcoming national Circa Pain study, as well as Hailey Gowdy, the graduate student leading this work. They talk to us about what we already know about pain and circadian rhythms, what they still hope to learn, and how people with lived experience can improve researchers’ understanding of pain.

An important part of pain research is patient partnership, where researchers work with people with lived experience to understand their perspectives. While patient partners are invaluable to research projects, some feel tokenized -- like their voices are included but largely ignored. How can we change this? In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Dawn Richards, a researcher, patient partner, and patient engagement expert. She talks to us about a recent blog post she co-authored on the topic of Tokenism in Patient Engagement and offers advice on how to overcome it. Read the blog post here: https://bit.ly/315muJ6

Studies have shown that men in the Western world are less likely to seek help for medical conditions, leading to poorer health and higher mortality rates. When it comes to men who live with pain, how does masculinity impact getting the help they need? In this month’s episode of the Painwaves Podcast, we’re joined by the new host, Leah Smith, and Dwayne Patmore, a patient advocate, veteran and man who lives with chronic pain. He shares his personal experiences and talks about the impact of masculinity on pain, the social challenges men often experience accessing healthcare, and his hope for the future of the Canadian Healthcare system.

Children can form memories of pain from as early as birth and, once formed, these memories can play a powerful role in shaping future pain and health care experiences.In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Melanie Noel, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary. She talks to us about her latest research on children’s memories of pain and how she is teaching parents to talk to their kids differently about pain in order to foster more positive memories. She also shares what’s next for her research on children’s pain and how her recent appointment as the first-ever Killam Memorial Emerging Leader Chair will enable her to take her research and work to new heights.Learn more about Melanie's recent appointment and work here: https://news.ucalgary.ca/news/ucalgary-clinical-psychologist-melanie-noel-emerges-leader-field-pediatric-pain

The Canadian Pain Task Force (CPTF) is an external advisory body that has been helping the Government of Canada better understand and address the needs of people living with chronic pain since its inception in March of 2019. The final report from the Task Force, An Action Plan for Pain in Canada, was released to the public on May 5, 2021. The plan lays out recommendations for targeted actions necessary to improve outcomes for the nearly eight million Canadians living with chronic pain and to reduce pain’s impact on families, communities, and society.In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined once again by Task Force members Maria Hudspith and Linda Wilhelm. They provide an overview on the report and its six priority goals, talk about what comes next for advancing change on pain in Canada, and outline ways people can help make sure pain is a priority in their communities.Maria and Linda first joined us in November 2020 to share the findings from the Task Force’s second report. Listen to that episode here: https://www.spreaker.com/user/painwaves/canadian-pain-task-force-latest-on-best-practicesYou can also learn more about the Task Force in an earlier episode here: https://www.spreaker.com/user/painwaves/canadian-pain-task-force-pain-talkResources mentioned in this episode:- Read An Action Plan for Pain in Canada: https://tinyurl.com/3ms5nr4s- Learn more about and participate in the #PrioritizePain campaign: https://www.paincanada.ca/

Musculoskeletal injuries – from car accidents, workplace injuries, sports injuries, and more – are a leading cause of chronic pain, with an estimated 15-50% of people reporting experiencing pain 12 months following a musculoskeletal injury.On this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by two guests to learn more about the SYMBIOME Project. Dave Walton, Lead Researcher and Director of the Pain and Quality of Life Integrative Research Lab, tells us about the project, how it aims to predict and explain recovery from musculoskeletal trauma, as well as next steps in the project and what his hopes are for how the results of this research can inform positive change to the Canadian health care system. Curtis May, a person living with pain, shares his experiences with participating in this project and provides insight into why it’s important to include people with lived experience in research.Notes:- Musculoskeletal pain refers to pain originating in the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and/or joints.- The SYMBIOME Project stands for the Systematic Merging of Biology, Mental Heath, and Environment.Resources mentioned in this episode:- The Pain and Quality of Life Integrative Research Lab (PIRL): https://www.pirlresearch.com- The SYMBIOME Project: https://www.pirlresearch.com/symbiome

It’s well known that practicing yoga can provide many benefits to both the body and mind, but did you know research suggests that yoga therapy can be an especially helpful tool for managing pain?In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by two guests to learn more about the benefits of yoga therapy for managing chronic pain. Neil Pearson, Physiotherapist, Yoga Therapist and UBC Clinical Assistant Professor, talks about the recent paper he co-authored summarizing the current research on the value of yoga therapy in a comprehensive integrative pain management plan, and explores areas of research that still need to be investigated further. Gail Goodjohn, a person living with pain, also joins us to share how yoga therapy has personally helped her manage pain and its many impacts on daily life.Resources mentioned in this episode:- Yoga therapy and pain - How yoga therapy serves in comprehensive integrative pain management, and how it can do more: https://paincareu.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/IJYT2020_Pearson_yoga_therapy_pain.pdf- Learn more about Neil's work: http://paincareu.com/

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are thirteen subtypes of rare connective tissue disorders characterized by numerous debilitating symptoms, including chronic pain. Sadly, current gaps in dedicated health care and research for EDS leave many Canadians living with these chronic illnesses undiagnosed or undertreated. On this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by three guests to learn more about these chronic illnesses. Dr. Nimish Mittal tells us about what Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are, the current gaps in health care and research, and what changes need to be made in the Canadian health care system to better support people living with EDS. We’re also joined by Kathleen Eubanks from EDS Canada, who shares her firsthand experience of living with the illness, and Sandy Smeenk from the ILC Foundation, who shares her professional and personal experiences as a mother to a child with EDS. Resources mentioned in this episode:- EDS Society: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/- EDS Canada: https://ehlers-danlossyndromecanada.org/- The ILC Foundation: https://www.theilcfoundation.org/- GoodHope EDS Clinic: https://www.uhn.ca/MCC/Clinics/Ehlers-Danlos_Syndrome_Clinic

Canadian Armed Forces members devote their lives to serving their country, often at great costs to their personal health and well-being. Research from Veteran Affairs Canada indicates veterans are twice as likely to experience chronic pain when compared to the general population.In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Tom Hoppe, a patient advocate and veteran who lives with chronic pain. He shares his personal experiences and talks about the impacts of military culture on pain, the challenges veterans often experience with accessing health care following military service, and his hopes for how organizations like the recently established Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCOE) will improve the lives of the 41% of veterans who live with pain.Resources mentioned in this episode:- Research on chronic pain among Canadian veterans: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-vac/research/research-directorate/info-briefs/chronic-pain- Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCOE): https://www.veteranschronicpain.ca

Research shows that Black people are disproportionately impacted by pain and less likely to receive appropriate care when compared to white people.In this month’s episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by researcher Dr. Kimberley Kaseweter and pain advocate Desmond Williams to learn about how racism and discrimination affect Black Canadians when accessing health care for pain management. Kimberley shares findings from her research and Desmond shares his personal experiences with accessing care for pain in BC as a person of colour.Desmond is 33 and has been living with pain as a result of arthritis since he was an adolescent. He’s of mixed African, European and First Nations ancestry but says that regardless of how he identifies, people see him as a Black man. Kimberley is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus. She conducts psychological pain research at the Bill Nelems Pain and Research Centre in Kelowna.Resources mentioned in this episode:- Kimberley's research on "Racial differences in pain treatment and empathy in a Canadian sample": https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/prm/2012/803474.pdf- Desmond's website on accessing Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®): https://www.vibestre.ca/- A sample of Desmond's comedy: https://youtu.be/qY1nKlvue6E