PrintBetween 10 and 17 per cent of Canadians experience chronic pain from a range of causes, including strokes, spinal cord injuries, migraines, arthritis and other conditions and injuries. Pain can have an enormous impact on an individual’s well-being, making it difficult to work or enjoy everyday activities.
Diagnosing and treating pain usually requires an in-depth assessment, including a physical exam and a variety of tests. Treatment for pain syndromes may include a combination of approaches, such as drug therapy, physical exercises, and psychological treatment . Other techniques, such as nerve blocks (injections that prevent nerves from sending pain messages) or neurosurgery may also be used.
UHN’s Comprehensive Pain Program
Nationally and internationally known for our clinical research and expertise, our pain program has specialized in chronic non-malignant (not cancer-related) pain for more than 20 years. We take a "whole person” approach to treating pain, focusing on how pain is affected by other parts of our lives, such as our living situation, emotions and unique internal “wiring.”
Patients are referred to our program by their family physicians or specialists. After we have established the correct diagnosis/diagnoses, we develop a treatment or pain management plan that best meets the needs of the patient. Many of our services are offered on an outpatient basis. Some of these services are provided at Toronto Western Hospital and others are offered through centres in the community. In more complex cases, patients may be admitted for a stay in hospital in our inpatient unit.
Working together to bring pain research to the patient bedside
Our core team of pain physicians, fellows, a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinic coordinator, research coordinator and support staff provide dedicated care in both our inpatient investigation unit and our outpatient facility. The team is also closely linked to anaesthetists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, rheumatologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other health providers, who assist in patient care when necessary.
UHN’s Pain care area conducts many research projects to better understand pain mechanisms and their impact on physical and emotional well-being. This research is closely connected to patient care, so patients can benefit from the latest findings about understanding and treating pain. In addition, our team helps educate other medical and allied health professionals at all levels, sharing research findings, resources and knowledge.
