Persistent pain impacts every part of your life. As you may have already experienced, persistent pain is sometimes misunderstood and mistreated. Sometimes health care professionals, friends, and family contribute to the feelings of uncertainty with how to move forward.

The USask Chronic Pain Clinic offers a variety of education sessions. Pain Education 101 and 102 are only availble for current clients of UCPC.  All other pain education sessions are available to current and former UCPC clients.

Pain Education 101

Pain System 101 is a two-part series led by one of our Medical Social Workers and aims to provide: information about how pain is communicated between your body and brain, your nervous system's protective and restorative mechanisms, the connection between stress and pain, and practical ways that you can influence your own pain system. 

Pain Education 102

Pain System 102: thinking on purpose is a two-part series led by one of our Medical Social Workers, and provides: information about how pain is communicated between your body and brain, the impact of pain on our thoughts and practical ways that you can influence your pain pathways through changing patterns of thinking. 

mEducation

mEducation: a client education seminar to discuss medications commonly used in chronic pain. This session will cover both general tips as well as some specific information important when pursuing appropriate therapy. The focus will be on information and common questions relevant to most clients. It will not discuss specific client issues which are better served by an individual consultation with your pharmacist.

Restore

Restore is a 30 min virtual group offered to clients of UCPC.  Join a medical social worker and physical therapist for a short “reset” in your day where we take some time to practice relaxation exercises, encourage gentle movement and discuss some tips for general health and well-being. 

Chronic Pain and Intimacy

Chronic pain commonly affects relationships and intimacy. In this workshop you will understand how chronic pain affects intimacy (medication, movement, and mind) and what steps you can take to overcome this. The session will be led by a SW and PT who will also provide basic information about medication impact on intimacy. We would encourage you to discuss this with your partner and invite them to join this session to better understand what is happening and how to begin discussions for potential change.

Grief and Pain

Grief is a natural part of the human experience.  It's our reaction to a loss.  We often think of it as something we go through when someone we care about dies or we experience a major change in our lives like moving away or going through a divorce.  But one of the changes we don't talk about enough is the grief people often experience with a chronic pain diagnosis.  Research has shown the people with chronic pain often experience considerable loss as a result of the multiple impacts it has on their lives.  Join us for a 2 part series that takes an honest look at grief and chronic pain - acknowledging it, how it affects us, and knowing how to take care of ourselves and others going through it.  As always, no microphones and cameras are optional.  Please note this is not a therapeutic group and we will not be offering individual grief counselling during this seminar - but we will share general information on how to access your own grief support if needed.

Flare Up Planning

In our flare-up planning session, we will share tools and skills for you to use when your typical day-to-day pain becomes worse. This increase in pain can be called a flare or flare-up. We look forward to you joining us to learn what a flare is, what are some of the flare up triggers and warning signs you may experience and for you to learn helpful tips and tricks when you are in a flare.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Tiptoe Through the Tulips focuses on moving gently into all things spring.  Spring is far more than just a changing of the seasons, it’s a season of rebirth and renewal.  Spring brings with it the coming new growth of everything green - Gardening: plant buying, seeding, raking, digging, lifting, bending, kneeling etc. Spring also brings with it the spring cleaning and house tasks: windows, house cleaning, closet purging, painting, staining.  This session is focused on how to move into this beautiful season and all its tasks with intention and gentleness.

Sink or Swim: Thriving the Summer Season

A new season of Summer is on its way! For people living with chronic pain, this time of year can be filled with change and add more complications or challenges.  Some common changes that affect those living with chronic pain during summer can be – change of schedule, yard maintenance and new chores, temperature fluctuations, road trips, family gatherings/family dynamics , expectations of self, overwhelm and many others.  However, be hopeful.  The goal of this class is to provide some practical tips and helpful ways for you to navigate summer well.   The seminar is run by UCPC staff which include social workers, physical therapists, and pharmacists. 

Thriving The Holidays: December Session

For many people this is a very busy time of year, whether you celebrate holidays or not. For people living with chronic pain this time of year often adds more pressure.  The most common stressors during the holidays include family gatherings, expectations of self, loneliness, finances, overwhelm, health/pain management, and many others.  It’s no wonder a time that should be the most wonderful time of the year is often filled with overwhelm and dread. This goal of this class is to provide some practical tips and ways to help navigate this complicated season.

Moving with Pain

Regular physical activity can be an important part of the management of chronic pain, yet there may be many barriers preventing someone from starting or getting back to activity. In this seminar, led by one of our Physical Therapists, we will discuss the role of movement in the management of pain and improvement in quality of life, strategies to be active and to stay active when living with chronic pain, and finding safety in movement. We will also discuss the role of Physical Therapy in the management of chronic pain and introduce community programs and resources to support regular movement. This goal of this class is to provide some practical tips and ways to help navigate this complicated season.