Check on the website to determine the groups location, day, and time of the group you are interested in attending. Learn More
what happens at a pain self-management group?
Guidelines - group guidelines are provided.
Check-in - typically in the past month what has worked for you.
Education topic - Healthcare provider, video, presentation to the group on subject relating to the needs of the group, often based on the Canadian Pain ToolKit a copy of which is available on our website. Click Here for Your Pain ToolKit (free). We suggest our leaders provide a couple of meetings during the year where open discussion about pain is encouraged.
Discussion on the topic
Check-out - how do you see using the information from today topic over the next month
5 to 10 minute meditation, relaxation session
Group members choose the educational topics that meet their needs, based on the Canadian Pain ToolKit. We ask this question at least once a year, if the group is dynamic this could occur more frequently.
your first meeting
At your first meeting you will be asked for your contact information this includes first name, last name, address, postal code, email address and phone number. Your information is protected by MailChimp.
if i miss a meeting how does affect the process?
Not a problem as this is a self-management program each person moves along at their pace.
is there a cost to attend a pain self-management group?
No. Our meetings are free.
Support person
We recommend that you bring your support person with you to meetings.
our meetings
Meetings are typically:
Once a month
Two hours in length, during the meeting you can sit, stand, walk around, lay down or whatever makes you comfortable.
We send out email reminders ahead of each meeting.
We encourage you to bring a support person (someone who helps you with your daily activities) with you. It's not mandatory however the option is there should you want to.
We encourage pain self-management.
We discourage sitting around and complaining about one's pain.
There is no cost to attend our meetings.
You can also attend any of our groups for example in a location where we have more than one group you can also attend the other meeting.
our group leaders
Our leaders are all people with persistent pain so a real understanding of what you're facing. Trained in meeting facilitation, Brief Action Planning, SMART goal setting.
Our Board
Our board is made up of 80% people with persistent pain. Ensuring our pain self-management group members are provided with a safe environment to: ◦ Encouraging growth ◦ Education. ◦ Opportunities to have social activities. ◦ A place to share your struggles and successes. ◦ A place to help build your new normal.
WHAT IS A PEER LEADER ?
Peer leaders are volunteers who coordinate regular scheduled meetings for those who live with persistent pain.
Peer leaders will strive to provide positive meetings that create connections, provide a welcoming, comfortable environment, and promote networking and learning. Peer leaders will strive to communicate with empathy, honesty and compassion.
Is this similar to a six week course?
No, a Pain Self-Management Group Meeting is not a time-limited course. It is an on-going (monthly meetings) educational opportunity for people with persistent (chronic) pain to learn how to rebuild their life and successfully manage the pain. The group will help you to find ways:
greater understanding how to manage your pain
benefits of practicing mindfulness techniques in pain management
Brief Action Planning techniques
reduce your isolation
increase your activities levels
help you to communicate with your medical team, family, and friends etc
HOW CAN I BECOME A PEER LEADER ?
Email VirginiaMcI@Pipain.com for application form. Form, peer leaders guidelines and information on peer leaders training will be forwarded.