Regional chronic pain

At the Regional Chronic Pain Clinic, a wide range of specialized services is provided to help manage chronic pain and improve function. The services include:

Allied health support

• One-on-one consultations with an interdisciplinary team member
• Group-based self-management programs to support long-term wellness

Image-guided injections

• Joint and nerve injections
• Spine injections

These procedures are performed with imaging technology to ensure precision and effectiveness.

Radiofrequency ablation

• A minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to reduce pain signals from specific nerves.

Neuromodulation program

• For eligible patients, we offer advanced neuromodulation treatments, including intrathecal pump therapy.

For more information, access the UHNBC pain clinic orientation video.

The Regional Chronic Pain Clinic does not prescribe opioids.

Group self-management focuses on building the skills and habits that help patients live well with chronic pain. Participating in one of these programs can empower the patient to take a more active role in their care and improve their overall well-being.

Through the Regional Chronic Pain self-management programs, you will learn how to:

• Develop a healthier lifestyle
• Increase your ability to perform everyday activities
• Manage stress and body tension
• Gain tools to become more confident in managing pain independently
• Navigate and cope with pain flares

How to attend group self-management sessions

A referral to the Northern Health Chronic Pain Program is required to attend a group session. Once the referral is accepted, a clinician will contact the patient and enroll them in the most appropriate session.

The group sessions are offered both virtually and in-person and include:

Making Sense of Pain

• Understand the science of pain and how to manage it effectively.

Making Peace with Sleep

• Learn strategies to improve sleep quality and reduce pain-related sleep disruptions.

Gentle Movement and Relaxation

• Explore safe, guided movement and relaxation techniques to ease tension and improve mobility.

Pain Reprocessing Therapy

• A mind-body approach to help retrain the brain’s response to pain.

Hydrotherapy (in-person only)

• Water-based therapy to support gentle movement and pain relief.

For a wide range of helpful materials, including:

• A clear explanation of what chronic pain is and how it can impact your daily life
• Trusted web links to reputable organizations and tools that support pain management and self-care

These resources are free to access and designed to help you better understand your condition and take an active role in your care.

• Arthritis Society of BC is a health charity with the purpose of embracing and empowering people living with arthritis. Their website provides online learning, webinars, information on workshops and events happening in local communities, and a Helpline for those living with arthritis.
• Bounce Back is a program to help you to manage your stress, anxiety and depression. Requires referral from your Family doctor for individual telephone coaching. However there are DVD’s, workbooks, and online resources which doesn’t require a referral.
• Know Your Medications is a Northern Health site that provides valuable information about keeping track of your medication. It also links to a free app for your cellphone that helps track medications and immunizations.
• MYCAREPATH is a website geared towards youth and their care providers. It provides information on understanding pain and provides realistic tools that are beneficial in managing chronic pain.
• Pain BC is a registered charity with the mission of improving the lives of people with pain. The organization provides a call-in support line, phone-based pain management coaching, face-to-face Pain Support & Wellness Groups, and links to pain resources in your community.
• Power Over Pain is a website created as a direct response to Health Canada’s action plan for pain in Canada. It is a free website that provides access to resources, courses, and peer support.