Chronic Pain Counselling in Vancouver

The Hidden Struggles of Living with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is more than just physical discomfort—it can take over every aspect of your life. If you're living with persistent pain, you may recognize these struggles:

The Endless Search for Answers – Doctor visits, tests, and treatments that don’t provide lasting relief, leaving you frustrated and unheard.
Feeling Misunderstood – Friends and family may not grasp why you’re still in pain, leading to isolation or self-doubt.
Fear of Movement – Avoiding activities you love because you worry they’ll make the pain worse, shrinking your world over time.
Mental and Emotional Exhaustion – Anxiety, depression, and sleepless nights as pain becomes a constant, unwelcome companion.
Lost Identity – When pain dictates your life, it’s easy to forget who you were before it took over.

You’re not alone—and recovery is possible. Chronic pain counselling can help you break free from the pain cycle and reclaim your life.

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Chronic Pain Counselling in British Columbia

Find Relief from Chronic Pain with Evidence-Based Therapy

Living with chronic pain can be isolating and exhausting. If you're in British Columbia and struggling with persistent pain, you're not alone. Chronic pain counselling, including Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), can help you rewire your brain's response to pain and regain control of your life.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is persistent pain that lasts beyond the typical healing time of an injury—usually **three months or more**. Unlike acute pain, which signals tissue damage, chronic pain often continues due to changes in the nervous system. Common types include:
- Back pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraines
- Arthritis
- Neuropathic pain

What is Neuroplastic Pain?

Neuroplastic pain occurs when the brain misinterprets safe signals as danger, creating a learned pain response. This type of pain is not due to ongoing tissue damage but rather from neural pathways stuck in a pain loop. The good news? Because it's learned, it can be unlearned through therapeutic techniques like Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT).

Can I Live Pain-Free?

Yes! Research shows that many people with chronic pain can significantly reduce or eliminate their pain by addressing the brain's role in pain perception. Techniques like PRT, mindfulness, and somatic tracking help retrain the brain to stop sending unnecessary pain signals.

What Can I Do to Reduce My Pain?

1. Understand Pain Science – Learning how pain works can reduce fear and anxiety around it.
2. Practice Mindfulness & Relaxation – Stress exacerbates pain; deep breathing and meditation can help calm the nervous system.
3. Gradual Movement – Gentle exercises like yoga or walking can help rebuild confidence in movement.
4. Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies – Challenge negative thoughts that amplify pain.
5. Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) – A structured approach to rewiring the brain’s pain response.

What is Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)?

PRT is an evidence-based therapy designed to retrain the brain to interpret pain signals correctly. It combines:
- Somatic Tracking – Mindfully observing pain without fear to reduce its intensity.
- Cognitive Reframing – Changing beliefs about pain from threatening to safe.
- Graded Exposure – Slowly reintroducing activities without fear of pain.

Studies show that PRT can lead to significant pain reduction or complete recovery for many individuals with chronic pain. Read more here.

Chronic Pain Counselling in British Columbia FAQs

What qualifies as chronic pain?

Chronic pain is any pain lasting more than 3 months, persisting beyond normal healing time. It can stem from an initial injury or have no clear physical cause (aka neuroplastic pain).

Can chronic pain ever go away?

Yes! Many people recover fully or greatly reduce pain by addressing brain-body connections through therapies like PRT, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation.

How does chronic pain make you feel?

Chronic pain can cause, amongst other symptoms:

Fatigue
Anxiety or depression
Sleep disturbances
Reduced mobility and social withdrawal

What is the best treatment for chronic pain?

A mind-body approach is most effective, including:

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness & meditation
Gentle movement (yoga, tai chi)

What are the 5 coping skills every chronic pain patient needs?

Pacing – Balance activity and rest to avoid flare-ups.
Mindfulness & Relaxation – Deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation to calm the nervous system.
Cognitive Reframing – Challenge catastrophic thoughts about pain.
Gentle Movement – Walking, swimming, or yoga to maintain mobility without overexertion.
Social Connection – Combat isolation by staying engaged with supportive communities.

How to support someone with chronic pain?

Listen without judgment – Avoid dismissive phrases like “Just push through it.”
Offer practical help – Assist with chores or errands on high-pain days.
Educate yourself – Learn about pain science to better understand their experience.
Encourage professional help – Gently suggest counselling therapy or pain management programs.

How does chronic pain affect your mental health?

Chronic pain often leads to:

Anxiety (fear of pain worsening)
Depression (from loss of mobility or identity)
Irritability (due to constant discomfort)
Feelings of hopelessness (if treatments haven’t worked)

Therapy can address these emotional impacts alongside physical symptoms.

What is the mind-body connection in pain?

The mind and body are deeply linked—stress, emotions, and beliefs can amplify pain signals. By calming the nervous system and changing pain-related thoughts, many people experience relief.