TYPES OF CHRONIC PAIN

Gift #1 Migraines are chronic headaches that can last from hours up to days. Symptoms can be very intense and quite painful. Symptoms may include light and sound sensitivity, nausea and vomiting.

There is no cure for migraines but medications can help reduce the intensity and frequency.

Treatment of migraines includes various approaches. These include preventative treatments like trigger-avoidance and prescription drugs. Symptom management options include medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (e.g., aspirin and ibuprofen).
Gift #2 Nearly everyone at some point in their lives suffers from low back pain. It can be acute (short term) or chronic, lasting more than six months.

Symptoms can range from shooting to stabbing pain, muscle aches, limited flexibility, or inability to stand up straight.

Low back pain is usually diagnosed by a physician. Treatment for acute low back pain may range from pain medications, exercise, muscle relaxants to physiotherapy. Treatment options for chronic low back pain are similar to those of acute low back pain and may also include surgery.
Gift #3 Bone pain is a pain felt within the bone. Bone pain is not the same as joint pain (arthritis) or muscle pain.

Symptoms may include aching, tenderness or discomfort within the bone.

It is most commonly associated with an injury to the bone (i.e., fracture) but can also be a result of cancer or infection.
Gift #4 Fibromyalgia is a widespread pain felt throughout the body. The pain includes muscles, tendons and ligaments. Symptoms may also include joint stiffness, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia is much more common in women (ratio of 4 to 1).

There is no cure for fibromyalgia and treatments aim at symptom management.

These range from pain medications to exercise to complementary and alternative therapies.
Gift #5 Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and affects 1 in 10 Canadians. It affects the joints in the body, most commonly hands and weight-bearing joints (e.g., hips, knees and feet).

Symptoms may include swelling, stiffness and pain in the joint.

Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are many treatment options. Treatment options include pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, exercise, hot/cold treatments, and surgery.
Gift #6 Neuropathic pain is induced by trauma to the primary or central nervous system, which damage its structure and function. It may result from disorders of the peripheral nervous system or the central nervous system (e.g., multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, fibromyalgia, and cancer).

People with neuropathic pain may experience burning, shooting, stabbing, and numbness among other symptoms.

Dealing with chronic neuropathic pain is an ongoing and multi-faceted process. Treatment usually includes pain medications, exercise and complementary and alternative therapies.
Gift #7 Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that causes joint pain and damage. It more commonly appears in women between the ages of 25 and 50.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms vary from person to person. At onset it may include flu-like symptoms and periods of joint inflammation (flare-up). During a flare up there may be a swelling, pain, difficulty sleeping, and a fever.

Treatment options include exercise, surgery and medications (e.g., ibuprofen, NSAIDs disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, COX-2 inhibitors, corticosteroids, and biologics).
Gift #1 Gift #2 Gift #3 Gift #4 Gift #5 Gift #6 Gift #7

Burlington Support Group Meeting – July 13th

Location:
Royal Botanical Gardens
680 Plains Road, Burlington
Time: 6:30PM

Dr. Thea Rusthoven, “Techniques for Self-Management”

Tai Chi

GUEST SPEAKER
ACTIVITY
All those who were previously attending saturday morning painting classes are welcome to come to the regular support group meeting an hour early around 5:30 to paint. Saturday painting classes will no longer be held.

Guelph Support Group meeting – June 15th @ 6:30pm

Dr. Pradeep Kumar, Paediatrician and Acupuncturist, ” Mindful medicine to conquer pain” / Laughter yoga

2010 Guelph Support Group Calendar

Location:
Guelph Best Western
716 Gordon Street, Guelph
Time: 6:30PM
Dates:
• Tuesday, 16th March  - Organisational meeting – Round table discussio, “Together we can make a difference”
• Thursday, 22nd April – Dr. Angelica Fargas-Babjak, Paediatrician and Acupuncturist, “Coping with pain – acupuncture, hydrotherapy, music therapy and other gentle excercises” / Pressure-point stimulation
• Tuesday, 19th May – Rozanna Russo, “Vistory over pain through nutrition” [...]

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  • June 8th, 2010 by Kiran Yashpal

Pain Related Websites

List of helpful pain related websites:
Action Ontario
Canadian Pain Coalition
Pain.com
CM-CFS Canada
National Pain Foundation
RSD Canada
Multidisciplinary Pain Centre – University of Alberta
Public Health Agency of Canada
International Association for the Study of Pain
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Pain Speaking
American Pain Foundation
Womens Health Matters

2010 Hamilton/Burlington Support Group Calendar

Location:
Royal Botanical Gardens
680 Plains Road, Burlington
Time: 6:30PM
Dates:
• Tuesday, 9th February  - Carolyn Whiskin, Pharmacist, “Dramatic importance of sleep”/ Tai Chi
• Tuesday, 9th March – Round table discussion, “What have you found to cope better with your pain?”/ Tai Chi
• Tuesday, 27th April (Café Annexe at RBG) – Dr. Pradeep Kumar , Pediatrician and Acupuncturist,”Mind-body medicine for pain” / Laughing [...]

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  • April 20th, 2010 by James Henry

Documentary

Normal means different
We are currently working on the making of a documentary about invisible disabilities. We all know that on the outside we look “normal”. It presents us with many challenges in all aspects of daily living. This documentary hopes to challenge stereo-typical thinking, share openly what our challenges are, and hopefully encourage and motivate [...]