Pain Clinic
ABOUT THE PROVINCIAL PAIN PROGRAM
The Provincial Pain Program operates pain clinics across Manitoba, including in Brandon, Selkirk, HSC, and Pan Am. These clinics provide care for patients enrolled in the program, with a strong focus on education and interdisciplinary collaboration. The care team includes professionals such as occupational therapists (OTs), physiotherapists (PTs), psychologists, physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and nurses. The pain program supports individuals living with chronic pain, which is defined as pain lasting longer than 3–6 months. This pain can stem from a variety of causes, not limited to musculoskeletal issues. They follow a “stepped care interdisciplinary” model to deliver care. Patients progress through levels of care, starting with low-resource interventions and moving to higher-resource treatments as needed.
These interventions include:
- Introduction to Pain group education classes, led by any team member, including physiotherapists;
- Targeted education modules (e.g., PT-led exercise and persistent pain, OT-led pacing strategies);
- specialized therapy groups (e.g., PT exercise groups or psychology-led acceptance and commitment therapy sessions);
- and one-on-one appointments, which are consultative and emphasize self-management and education.
The program also offers services like medication recommendations. Patients on waitlists for pain clinics, especially those awaiting their first physician appointment within six months, may access certain steps of care before their visit. Any enrolled patient can access interdisciplinary services, regardless of their waitlist status.Physiotherapists in the program deliver both in-person and online group education sessions. They also run (or will run) exercise groups and provide individual consultations focused on self-management and education.The program is committed to interdisciplinary collaboration, with team members working together and cross-referring as needed to ensure comprehensive, patient-centered care.
REFERRAL PROCESS
Referral from a family physician or physician specialist to the Pain Clinic.