About chronic pain
About chronic pain, options to help people manage their pain, and the Government of Canada's role in supporting people living with pain.
On this page
- About chronic pain
- Living with chronic pain
- Treatments and therapies
- Chronic pain and opioids
- Related links
- Contact us
About chronic pain
Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience typically associated with physical damage to the body. Chronic pain is when the pain lasts longer than 3 months. Sometimes chronic pain can occur:
- without a known cause
- after an injury has healed
- after a condition has been treated
The World Health Organization now recognizes chronic pain as a disease and not just a symptom of something else.
There are 2 types of chronic pain:
Chronic primary pain
Chronic primary pain occurs when:
- pain persists after the body has completely healed
- the pain has no identifiable cause, such as:
- fibromyalgia
- pelvic pain
- musculoskeletal pain
- lower back pain
Chronic secondary pain
Chronic secondary pain occurs together with underlying diseases or issues, such as
- cancer treatment
- post-surgical pain
- rheumatoid arthritis
Acute Pain
Acute pain lasts less than 3 months and usually decreases as a person heals. Acute pain warns you that something has caused or may cause damage to your body.
Living with chronic pain
Nearly 8 million Canadians live with chronic pain. People who experience chronic pain face a wide range of physical, emotional and social challenges.
Pain is a unique and personal experience that can vary widely from person to person. Your experience of pain is influenced by:
- biology
- psychology
- spiritual factors
- social factors
- emotional factors
Social barriers
Since pain is an invisible condition, other people:
- may not understand the pain
- may not believe the pain is real
People who experience pain can often feel isolated. This can lead to:
- trouble accessing health services
- a lack of treatment and support
- them not seeking support
Chronic pain can have major impacts on a person's:
- physical health
- mental and emotional health
- finances and job security
- social interactions
- sense of self and spirituality
- ability to take part in everyday activities
Treatments and therapies
Talk to your health care provider to find out what treatment options may be available and best for you and your situation.
Treatment options are most effective as part of a pain management plan that could involve different types of therapies and treatments to help manage your pain. Treatment goals may include a reduction in pain and (or) improvements in:
- cognitive health
- psychological health
- social function
- physical function
- all of the above
People with chronic pain should choose and use treatments based on their own needs. Examples of treatment options include:
Pharmaceuticals
Medications and substances that have an effect on the body, such as:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- acetaminophen
- opioids
- cannabinoids
- anticonvulsants
- antidepressants
- muscle relaxants
Psychological interventions
Interventions that aim to change thoughts, emotions, or behaviours, such as:
- cognitive behavioural therapy
- acceptance and commitment therapy
- support groups
- education sessions
- individual and group psychotherapy
- mindfulness-based interventions
- problem adaptation therapy for pain (PATH)
Physical and rehabilitation interventions
A process that enables people to reach or maintain optimal physical function, such as:
- exercise, movement, and physical activity
- activity modification
- Yoga and Tai Chi
- graded motor imagery
- graded activity participation and exposure
Medical devices or interventional pain procedures
Procedures or applications of medical devices that can treat or manage pain, such as:
- dental splint
- low-level laser therapy
- shock wave therapy
- deep brain stimulation
- spinal cord stimulation
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- nerve blocks, steroid injections, trigger point injections, or prolotherapy
Practitioner administered or manual therapy
Therapeutic activities administered by a health professional, such as:
- acupuncture
- massage therapy
- physical therapies
- spinal mobilization
- spinal manipulation
- osteopathic treatments
Self-management
Individual-led strategies focused on coping mechanisms or cognitive and behavioural factors, such as:
- meditation
- support groups
- dietary practices
- pain neuroscience education
- relaxation and breathing exercises
- life skills and self-efficacy programs
Chronic pain and opioids
Opioids are medications that are sometimes prescribed to treat pain. As with all medications, opioids have benefits and risks, and sometimes potentially serious side effects. The opioid overdose crisis is very complex, and untreated pain is a contributing factor. Health Canada firmly believes the medical needs of patients, including which prescription medications they should be taking, are best determined through shared decision-making between the patient and their health provider based on the unique needs of the individual.
Information on talking to your doctor about prescribed opioids.
Health Canada's Statement on Opioids and Pain Management (November 2022)
Related links
- Pain Canada
- Power over Pain Portal
- McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Centre (includes a listing of Canadian pain clinics)
- Canadian Pain Society
- Chronic Pain Network
- Arthritis Society: Arthritis Pain Management Guide
- Solutions for Kids in Pain
- Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans
- Aboriginal Children's Hurt and Healing Initiative
- Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health: Evidence on pain management
- The College of Family Physicians of Canada: Chronic non-cancer pain management and opioid resources
- International Association for the Study of Pain
Contact us
Chronic Pain Policy Team
Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch
Health Canada
Postal Locator: 0301A
Ottawa, ON
Canada
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