Take Charge! Chronic Pain Workshop
Take Charge! Chronic Pain is a free 6- week program that was developed for people who experience a wide range of persistent or chronic pain. This program is not meant to replace your current treatment plan through your healthcare team. Take Charge! Chronic Pain will help you develop skills, confidence and motivation to better manage your symptoms and the tasks of daily life.
During this peer- led workshop, you will meet indivduals who share similar experiences. Take Charge! Chronic Pain is not a cure, but it can help you create connections and empower your life.
Some of the skills you will learn are:
- how to pace activity and rest
- how to deal with frustration, fatigure and difficulty sleeping
- how to include exercise options to maintain and improve strength, flexibility and endurance
- how to communicate with your healthcare team and family members
Is this workshop right for me?
If you are 18 years or older, and experience chronic or long term pain, you should consider registering for a workshop. Some examples of conditions that can cause chronic pain are:
- persistent musculo-skeletal pain (such as chronic neck, shoulder, back pain)
- fibromyalgia
- whiplash injuries
- chronic regional pain syndromes
- repetitive strain injury
- chronic pelvic pain
- post-surgical pain that lasts beyond 6 months
- neuropathy pain (caused by trauma or diabetes)
- neuralgias (such as post-herpetic pain and trigeminal neuralgia)
- post-stroke or central pain
- persistent headache
- Chrohn's disease
- Irritable bowel
- severe muscular pain due to conditions such as multiple sclerosis
*Please note: this workshop is held in a highly interactive group setting and requires participation in activities and discussions. All participants (including family members and caregivers) must pre-register for a workshop.
Take Charge! Chronic Pain Workshop: Resources
Click Here to listen to the Moving Easy Program for the Chronic Pain and Chronic Disease Program
To register for a Take Charge! Chronic Pain workshop, Click Here
Session 1:
- Introductions
- What is pain?
- The Mind-Body Connection/Distraction
- Getting a Good Night's Sleep
- Introduction to Action Plans
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Session 4:
- Practice Moving Easy Program
- Healthy Eating
- Communication Skills (Using “I” Messages)
- Problem-Solving
- Making an Action Plan
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Session 2:
Feedback and Problem-Solving
Dealing with Difficult Emotions
Introduction to Physical Activity and Exercise
Better Breathing and Relaxation Body Scan
Fatigue Management
Making an Action Plan
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Session 5:
- Feedback and Problem-Solving
- Practice Moving Easy Program
- Medications for Chronic Pain
- Dealing with Depression
- Positive Thinking
- Stress and Guided Imagery Relaxation
- Making an Action Plan
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Session 3:
- Feedback and Problem-Solving
- Moving Easy Program (10 minute exercise program done sitting down or standing up with a chair)
- Pacing and Planning
- Evaluating Treatments
- Making Decisions
- Making an Action Plan
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Session 6:
- Feedback
- Working with Your Health Care Professional and Health Care Organization
- Communicating about Pain
- Weight Management
- Looking Back and Planning for the Future
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To register for a Take Charge! Chronic Pain workshop, Click Here