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.
We offer virtual and in-person sessions. Those in virtual sessions must have access to a smartphone, tablet or computer so they can participate fully.
Please note
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.
This program does not prescribe medications or medication interventions, such as injections or nerve blocks.
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
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 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by a short meeting with a team member on Friday to determine if this program is right for you..
Sessions are held in small groups of up to three 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
Sessions take place Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Participants take part in education, group discussions and practical sessions led by the Chronic Pain Team. They provide individual feedback each week.
Eligibility
All participants in this program must:
- Be 18 years of age and older
- Have continuous pain for at least three months that has been fully investigated and persists despite medical interventions.
- Have difficulty maintaining physical fitness, difficulty coping with role changes, poor self-esteem, sleep difficulties, emotional distress, uncertainty about their work, or interpersonal difficulties.
- Be willing to making lifestyle changes through a self-management approach.
People whose main pain symptoms are headaches, gastro-intestinal problems, urinary, pelvic or gynecological difficulties are not eligible for this program.
Team
The Chronic Pain Team includes professionals from physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy and more. They work out of The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre.
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 a medical assessment.
We also accept eReferrals via the OceanMD platform.
Contact us
The Chronic Pain Management Program
613-737-7350, ext. 75673
613-733-8336
The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre,
Admission Department
505 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M2