Wooden mannequin with lightening bolts signifying pain in lower back

Chronic Pain: A common but invisible disease

Chronic pain, often called an 'invisible disease', is a complex and often misunderstood condition affecting nearly 8 million people in Canada. In this webinar recording, chronic pain expert Dr. Norman Buckley explores its causes, impacts, and management strategies and debunks misinformation about bogus remedies. Learn more about evidence-based approaches to managing chronic pain and helpful resources.

 

 

Learn the answers to the following questions:

  • 01:18 What is pain?
  • 06:14 Types and sources of pain
  • 08:07 Acute vs. chronic pain
  • 10:00 Prevalence and impact of chronic pain
  • 12:16 The spiral of chronic pain
  • 15:30 Physiological pathways of pain
  • 19:03 Medication approaches to treat pain
  • 23:45 Non-medication approaches to manage pain
  • 25:51 The 'invisible disease' and interdisciplinary care
  • 28:47 Pain information and the Internet
  • 38:24 What is functional restoration?
  • 43:38 The goal: A function-centred life
  • 44:23 Helpful resources
  • 44:34 Pain tolerance
  • 52:04 Managing chronic joint pain with non-medication strategies
  • 54:13 Managing neuropathic pain

Download a transcript of this video.

Download this one-page summary of helpful resources.

Test your knowledge of chronic pain with this 5-question quiz.

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Featured Resources

Website: Power Over Pain Portal

Topic: Pain Management

Topic: Back Pain

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References

  1. Raja S, Carr D, Cohen M, et al. The revised International Association for the Study of Pain definition of pain: concepts, challenges, and compromises. PAIN 161(9):p 1976-1982, September 2020. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001939
  2. Canadian Pain Task Force Report: March 2021. An Action Plan for Pain in Canada. Accessed September 23, 2024. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/canadian-pain-task-force/report-2021.html
  3. Lavand'homme P. The progression from acute to chronic pain. Curt Anaesthesiol. 2011 Oct;24(5):545-50. doi: 10.1097/ACO.0b013e32834a4f74. PMID: 21772141.

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).