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Long-term pain can negatively affect many aspects of our lives. Help is available.

What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is pain that lasts for at least three to six months. It is unfortunately a common condition, but treatment needs to be tailored to the person affected. Chronic pain may be associated with a disease, but it can also be a condition in its own right.

Chronic pain can be hard to predict. You may have pain signals that react to stimuli that were not previously painful for you. Long-term pain can be debilitating and significantly affect your quality of life.

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What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?

In acute pain, you get signals that something is not right in your body. The pain comes on suddenly and can last for up to a few months but then passes. Alternatively, chronic pain is pain lasting for over three months that may or may not accompany a chronic health condition.

Chronic pain in different conditions

Chronic pain can develop as a consequence of various physical and psychological conditions. It can also lead to the development of conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Diseases and conditions where chronic pain can develop include spinal problems, joint problems, neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), cancer, migraines, fibromyalgia and inflammatory diseases. Psychological factors can also have an impact, such as depression and anxiety, which can make pain more severe.


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Treatment for people living with chronic pain

Being in pain can be very difficult and frustrating. If it affects your daily life, it is important to get help and support. Treatment usually depends on the type and cause of your pain, and may include referrals to a pain specialist, physiotherapist, or counsellor.

Symptoms of chronic pain

The symptoms of chronic pain vary between individuals. Pain signals are received in the brain, and can be linked to our nervous system, but can also lead to cognitive and emotional effects.

If you have had pain for a long time, you may become very aware of all the signals that remind you of the pain, which can in turn make recovery more difficult. This can lead to symptoms that may not be related to the initial pain such as numbness. Symptoms that are common in chronic pain are:

  1. Constant pain: Pain lasts longer than expected, for months or years. The pain may be constant or intermittent.
  2. Disability: It can affect the ability to perform daily activities and function normally.
  3. Psychological symptoms: People with chronic pain may experience psychological and emotional symptoms, including depression, anxiety, irritability and sleep problems.
  4. Changes in appetite and weight: Chronic pain can affect appetite and lead to weight gain or loss.
  5. Impaired concentration and memory: Chronic pain can affect cognitive functions and lead to difficulty concentrating and memory problems.
  6. Changes in mood: Pain can affect mood, ranging from frustration and anger to boredom and hopelessness.
  7. Social isolation: Because of the pain, people may withdraw from social activities.
  8. Increased sensitivity: Some people with chronic pain may experience increased sensitivity to stimuli such as light, sound or touch, known as allodynia or hyperalgesia.

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What happens psychologically?

The root cause of the pain is often not psychological, but can have psychological influences. It is possible to get treatment to uncover and work on these psychological factors. If you have chronic pain, you can also develop psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Treatment can also help with this.

What can you do about chronic pain?

If you have chronic pain, help is available. Treatment should be individualized to your unique situation, and may include working with various specialists in addition to modifying different lifestyle factors. It is possible to feel better.

Chronic pain treatment

The treatment of chronic pain is usually multimodal based on a biopsychosocial model, which means that biological, psychological and social factors are taken into account in the treatment. This may involve treatment with medication, physiotherapy, psychological treatment and lifestyle changes. If necessary, surgery may also be required. The team works together to provide a holistic approach. Treatment is tailored to the individual’s needs and is often provided in clinics specializing in pain management. To receive treatment, you can get a referral from your family doctor or local clinic.


12 common questions and answers about chronic pain

What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is pain that lasts for at least three to six months.

Is it a diagnosis?

Chronic pain is now a single diagnosis that does not have to be linked to a specific event or other medical condition.

What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?

In acute pain, you get signals that something is not right in your body. The pain comes on suddenly and can last for up to a few months but then passes, unlike chronic pain which lasts for at least three months.

What diseases and conditions can cause pain?

Pain can develop from spinal problems, joint problems, neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), cancer, migraines, fibromyalgia and inflammatory diseases, among others. Psychological factors can also have an impact where, for example, depression and anxiety can cause pain to continue or worsen.

What are the symptoms of chronic pain?

Chronic pain affects several different aspects of one’s life, including, relationships, cognition and emotion. For example, it can cause isolation, loss of appetite and sleep problems. It is important to get help if you experience this.

What treatments are available for chronic pain?

The treatment of chronic pain is usually multimodal, based on a biopsychosocial model, which means that biological, psychological and social factors are taken into account in the treatment. It is possible to get a referral from your family doctor. For milder pain, we here at Lavendla can help you.

Can you live with chronic pain?

Many people with long-term pain feel that it takes over their everyday life, so it is important to seek treatment and rehabilitation. It is possible to feel better.

What should I consider if I have chronic pain?

Everyone is deserving of help and support. If you have chronic pain, consider reaching out for help. This may start with your family doctor, or talking to a counsellor.

Can you have other problems while suffering from chronic pain?

Yes, chronic pain can be caused by or co-exist with other medical conditions.

How can I support someone close to me who is suffering from chronic pain?

Listen, try to be patient and encourage them to seek professional help.

How much does therapy at Lavendla cost?

At Lavendla, the therapists and coaches set the price themselves. A therapy session normally lasts 45 minutes and costs between 100-200 CAD. How many therapy sessions are needed is decided by you in consultation with the therapist. The first therapy session usually focuses on getting to know each other, defining the challenges that exist and then setting up a plan for how you will work together to achieve your goals.

Where can I go if I need help?

At Lavendla, we have experienced psychologists and therapists who work with CBT and can help you feel better if you have mild chronic pain symptoms. If you have more severe symptoms, you can contact your family doctor or health clinic to get a referral to a specialist. If you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call 911, call or text the national suicide hotline at 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Living with chronic pain

Many people with long-term pain feel that it takes over their everyday life. It is important to seek treatment and rehabilitation. Help is available.

How therapy can help with chronic pain

Talking to a licensed psychologist can give you tools to understand and manage your symptoms. It can also significantly increase your quality of life and make it easier to manage emotions in everyday life. At Lavendla we can help with mild to moderate chronic pain, but for more severe pain it is better to seek specialized care.

The benefits of seeking help

By going to treatment, you can get concrete methods and steps to help improve your situation. Our therapists uphold professional standards and confidentiality, and are here to help.

Your next step

By seeking help, you are not showing signs of weakness, but of strength. Professional help is available. Even if you are not ready to take the step today, you can always book a 20- or 45-minute session with our therapists and psychologists when you are ready. Before starting a treatment, a 20-minute conversation can be a good start to feel what it’s like to see a licensed psychologist. We are here, ready to make the difficult easier.


Written by Sophia Coulter

Sophia is a registered nurse with experience in inpatient, emergency and community mental health care. She has a passion for providing emergency support for those experiencing mental health crises.