Chronic and Acute Body Pain

Chronic and Acute Body Pain refers to pain that is disruptive and may require support from a number of professionals to help manage including Medical Doctors, Surgeons, Registered Massage Therapists, Social Workers, Registered Dietitians and Holistic Practitioners. It can have long lasting impacts on a person’s biological, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic Pain is a pain that lasts for a long time, often for months or even years. Some health conditions that involve chronic pain include arthritis, cancer, back issues, migraines, cluster headaches, and pain disorders. It can continue to impact a person even after their illness or injury has healed. Chronic pain can impact all aspect of a persons life, and often requires support from a variety of sources and professionals to diagnose and manage. In Canada 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 experience chronic pain, and 1 in 5 people (an estimated 7.6 million) across all ages report living with chronic pain. Sometimes this pain can cause such a disruption in a persons life that it can trigger experiences of insomnia, anxiety and depression. It can result in a decrease in quality of life, difficulty maintaining social obligations, loss of income, and trauma. Coping with it on your own can be difficult and that’s something our team members understand.

What is Acute Pain?

Acute Pain is pain that is new, can usually be connected to an event or illness, and disappears once that event or illness has been addressed or healed. It can include pain that comes from surgery or after an injury. It can be upsetting and uncomfortable and is usually resolved within 6 months. Acute pain can result in people noticing a dip in mood, difficulties in joining community and social events, difficulty sleeping and eating, and an increase in stress hormones released in your body. If the acute pain continues after the issue has been resolved and continues for a prolonged period of time, it may shift into a chronic pain.

Types of Therapy and Support

Support for chronic and acute pain can take the form of a number of physical, mental and spiritual therapies. Some people may prefer to seek out support on an individual basis, while others find group options work better for them and help them feel less isolated. Each practitioner will have their own approach to dealing with chronic and acute pain, but some of the interventions you might find helpful at The Growth & Wellness Therapy Centre include:

Working with a Practitioner

Our office has a number of practitioners who work with chronic and acute physical pain, all of whom you can view below. Once your professional has met with you and gotten to know about your experiences of pain, they will make a plan with you to address the reactions, symptoms or causes that may be negatively impacting your life. Support is most effective when there is a strong connection between the practitioner and client, and because of that we encourage you to connect with as many practitioners as you need to ensure the best fit.