Chronic Pain Management Program
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Overview
Over a decade of outcome data shows that the Chronic Pain Management Program helps improve physical function and emotional health.
Chronic pain is pain that lasts beyond the usual time of healing—typically more than three to six months—and continues despite medical treatment.
The Chronic Pain Management Program at The Ottawa Hospital helps people learn to manage persistent pain and improve their quality of life. It is a four-week, group-based outpatient program that focuses on education, support and practical skills for self-management.
Our goals are to help participants:
Understand chronic pain
and how to manage it
Learn practical strategies
like pacing, planning, relaxation, goal setting and assertive communication
Stay active
and take part in meaningful activities at home, work and in the community
Improve posture
and physical fitness
Support emotional well-being
and overall quality of life
Program outline
Important reminder
The program does not aim to eliminate or cure pain, but to help participants better manage it and gradually increase their activity levels at home and in the community.
Information session
Before joining the program, referred participants attend a 90-minute session that explains chronic pain, the program itself and the self-management approach. This helps individuals decide if the program is a good fit. Those interested will receive a Pain History Questionnaire to complete and return before their medical assessment.
Medical assessment
Each participant is assessed by a physiatrist (a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation) and a nurse. If the program is a good match, participants move on to week 1.
Week 1: Assessment and education
This phase runs over four half-days, Monday to Thursday, from 1to 4 p.m. On the first day, participants arrive at noon.
Sessions are held in small groups of up to five people. During this week, the team assesses each person’s suitability and readiness for self-management and provides education about chronic pain. It’s also a chance for participants to connect with others living with persistent pain. At the end of the week, participants and the team decide together whether to continue to the next phase.
Weeks 2 to 4: Treatment
This phase runs for three weeks in a group format, with up to 12 participants.
Sessions take place Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Participants take part in education, group discussions and practical sessions led by the interdisciplinary team. Individual feedback is provided each week.
Follow-up sessions
Two follow-up group sessions are offered at three months and 12 months after the treatment phase. These sessions help monitor progress and provide ongoing support. They are usually held on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Referrals
To join the Chronic Pain Management Program, a referral from a family doctor or specialist is required.
Once the referral is received, a triage nurse will contact the patient to talk about the program and assess their interest and ability to take part. If the program seems like a good fit, the patient will be booked for an information session.
Contact us
The Chronic Pain Management Program
613-737-7350, ext. 75673
613-733-8336
The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre
Box 968
505 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M2