Webinar Archive

At the epicentre of the crisis: Chronic pain and substance use in the construction industry

The overdose crisis has taken the lives of more than 6,500 British Columbians and more than 17,000 Canadians since 2016.

Supporting clients living with chronic pain: The role of social workers

Many social workers and counsellors report that their clients live with chronic pain, however, there are few occupation-specific educational opportunities for social workers and counsellors seeking to learn more about pain management.

The psychology of pain: Evidence-based tools for health care providers

In this presentation, Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley will review the latest evidence on psychological factors and psychological tools to manage chronic pain.

Long COVID and chronic pain

In this free webinar, Dr. Ric Arseneau will discuss long COVID and its relationship with chronic pain, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), and related conditions.

Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids for Chronic Pain: Current evidence and knowledge gaps

Jason Busse, Fiona Campbell, Hance Clarke, and John Brown discuss the use of medical cannabis and cannabinoids for chronic pain.

Bottom Up and Top Down: Strategies for making pain a national priority

In this webinar, Maria Hudspith is joined by Jean-Francois Leroux and Jennifer Novak of Health Canada to discuss Pain Canada.

Understanding the Circadian Control of Pain on a National Scale: the CircaPain Project

Chronic pain impacts many Canadians, but everyone’s experience with it is unique. Some people have pain that fluctuates, whereas others have constant levels of pain intensity.

Understanding experiences of people with pain within newcomer, refugee and Indigenous populations: A decolonial analysis

Join us for a webinar with Dr Mehmoona Moosa-Mitha, Associate Professor at the University of Victoria’s School of Social Work, for a decolonial analysis of pain within newcomer, refugee and Indigenous populations.

Chronic pain and substance use health: Important considerations for service providers

In this webinar, Ashleigh Hyland (Community Addictions Peer Support Association) and Angela Heino (Pain BC) provide an overview of the key intersections between chronic pain and substance use.

The National Pain Advocacy Center: Who they are. Why they launched. What they hope to do.

This webinar features Kate Nicholson, a US-based civil rights and disability rights attorney and person with lived experience of pain on why she thought it was necessary to found the National Pain Advocacy Center (NPAC), how NPAC came together, what they have done so far and where they hope to go.

MAiD and chronic pain: What you need to know about new legislation and the Assisted Dying Program

In this free webinar recording, staff from the Assisted Dying Program at Vancouver Coastal Health review the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) process in relation to new legislative changes enacted from the passing of Bill C-7, reflect on how these changes align with personal values, and share information on the available resources and supports.

The Canadian Pain Task Force: An Action Plan for Pain in Canada

In this webinar recording, Maria Hudspith and Linda Wilhelm provide an overview on the report, An Action Plan for Pain in Canada and talk about what comes next for advancing change on pain in Canada.

Is the biopsychosocial model of pain adequate? Conceptual and therapeutic challenges

In this free webinar, Drs. Peter Stilwell and Sabrina Coninx provide a brief overview of historical pain theories and models leading up to the biopsychosocial model of pain, outline conceptual and therapeutic challenges associated with the biopsychosocial model and similar integrative models, and provide an introduction to a novel “enactive” approach to pain that focuses on the “field of affordances."

Remembering the pain of childhood

In this free webinar recording, Dr. Melanie Noel describes a program of research that is examining the factors linking childhood memories and pain, the role of pain-related memories in future pain experiences, and the development of a parent-led intervention that aims to reframe children’s memories of pain to buffer against the development of memory biases and support better pain outcomes in the future.

Should chronic pain be considered a brain disease? Ethics lessons from the brain disease model of addiction

In this free webinar recording, Dr. Daniel Buchman explores the ethical strengths and vulnerabilities of classifying chronic pain as a brain disease, and how the recent history of framing addiction as a brain disease offers a cautionary tale with respect to chronic pain.

Orofacial pain: Common diagnoses and management considerations

In this free webinar recording, dentist and pain researcher Dr. Alberto Herrero Babiloni discusses orofacial pain, a subset of common pain disorders specific to areas of the jaw, face, mouth and head.

Vulvodynia: What you need to know about this commonly misdiagnosed chronic condition

In this webinar recording, Dr. Melanie Altas provides an in-depth discussion on vulvodynia, its impacts on sexual health and how to diagnose and provide care for people living with this chronic condition.

The Canadian Pain Task Force: Working to better understand and address the needs of people living with chronic pain

In this webinar, Maria Hudspith, Linda Wilhelm and Andrew Taylor discuss the work underway by the Canadian Pain Task Force, an external advisory body that is helping the Government of Canada better understand and address the needs of people living with chronic pain

New insights into the impacts of COVID-19 on people with persistent pain in Canada

In this webinar recording, researchers discuss their findings from a national research study that investigates the impacts of COVID-19 on people with persistent pain in Canada.

Adaptive mentoring: Building compassionate primary care capacity for chronic pain

This webinar recording provides an in-depth discussion around the key elements of adaptive mentoring, examples of the application of adaptive mentoring, and the impacts of adaptive mentoring.

Think, feel, do: Humanizing the pain experience from an occupational therapy perspective

In this webinar, Linda Crawford uses her experience as an occupational therapist to challenge participants to rethink how health care providers engage with people in pain and to adapt the treatment focus towards experiences of ‘doing’ to improve pain management outcomes.

Discordance in cultural and biological evolution: Impacts on pediatric myofascial complex pain management

In this webinar, Dr. Gillian Lauder reviews the concepts of cultural and biological evolution as they relate to the increasing prevalence of pediatric myofascial chronic pain. She also shares recommendations for a different foundational approach to treating pediatric myofascial chronic pain.

PAIN+ CPN: An online database summarizing pain research in plain language

In this webinar, Dr. Alfonso Iorio provides a detailed overview of PAIN+ CPN, a free online database that summarizes emerging pain research in plain language.

Coping with pain and anxiety during COVID-19

In this webinar recording, psychologist Dr. Angie Ji discusses the relationship between anxiety and pain and shares several coping strategies people in pain can utilize to manage anxiety, and in turn pain, during this time of uncertainty.

The neuroscience of chronic pain and brain plasticity

This webinar provided health care professionals with an opportunity to learn about how to explain the neuroscience behind pain management to patients in clear and concise language.

The therapeutic alliance

In this webinar, physiotherapist Steve Young reviews the evidence available to support the use of therapeutic alliance and simple things that health care providers can do on a daily basis to improve interactions with patients.

Polyvagal theory and pain care

In this webinar, Marlysa Sullivan, PT, C-IAYT, ERYT-500 will discuss different methods by which the autonomic nervous system can be positively regulated to help manage pain, including the Polyvagal theory, yoga and the cultivation of eudaimonic well-being.

An Overview of Kelty's Key: VCH Online Therapy

In this webinar, Dr. Margaret Drewlo, Clinical Educator at Kelty's Key, discusses their free online therapy program, VCH Online Therapy. Kelty’s Key provides tailored Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that can be used as a self-help tool for people in pain who experience challenges with mental health, and is available free-of-charge.

Compassion: The foundation of pain care

In this free webinar, Shelly Prosko explores the role of compassion in pain care, highlighting the benefits and challenges health care providers face that can influence or inhibit the ability to offer compassion to people living with pain. She also offers insight into best practices for providing compassionate care.

Improving work outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal pain: Effectiveness and costs of a vocational advice service

This webinar will provide a discussion of the impact of musculoskeletal pain on the working age population, while providing an overview of findings from a study comparing a brief, early intervention to support people working with pain through best current care practices.

The anatomy of therapeutic alliance: Integrating physiotherapy and psychotherapy

This free webinar will discuss how physiotherapy and somatic psychotherapy services can be successfully integrated to treat people living with persistent pain.

Making sense of pain through science and story

In this webinar, Joletta Belton shares her story through the lens of pain science. She offers unique insights into the lived experience of pain and recovery and will explore possible paths in pain treatment.

Contextual coping

In this webinar, Dr. Bronnie Lennox Thompson explores the nature of learning to live with pain across different life stages, and how coping strategies can play an important role in managing pain. 

Inclusive Employer Practices and Hiring of Individuals with Disabilities

This webinar provides an overview of how organizations can expand their potential talent pool to reach individuals living with disabilities by shaping a more disability-inclusive recruitment and hiring process.

Movement as Pain Education

Changing beliefs about pain and attitudes to recovery is an important intervention for successful pain care. Yet what is the most effective process of explaining pain?

Working with persistent pain: an exploration of strategies used to stay productive at work

This webinar presents current research on the impacts of pain on the workplace and the types of resources that employees are seeking to assist them in maintaining employment despite their persistent pain.

Pain Medication Management for Acute Injuries

This webinar provides best practice advice from pharmacist Jennifer Dunkin on how patients can manage pain medications if they have recently been injured, have experienced a fracture and/or have undergone surgery to fix their injury.

The patient voice: An integrated approach to providing care for chronic pain patients

In this webinar, patient advocate Keith Meldrum discusses the patient voice and why it’s valuable for health care providers to integrate the patient narrative when providing care and treatment for people living with chronic pain.

Arthritis and the workplace

In this webinar, Dr. Lacaille shares her expertise as a rheumatologist and scientist, reviews relevant literature, including her own research findings, and provides practical advice for workers, health care professionals, and employers to support workers with arthritis.

Contemporary Treatment Approaches for Chronic Tendon Pain

This webinar takes an evidence-informed approach while presenting a contemporary understanding of chronic tendon pain and the best supported approaches to manage it. The results of a recently completed placebo-controlled trial for knee tendon pain are also presented.

The Cannabis Question: Culture to Science

In this webinar, clinical pharmacist Terri Betts speaks to many of the question providers have about prescribing cannabis for chronic pain.

Acupuncture: A helpful treatment modality in an interdisciplinary program for complex chronic conditions

In this webinar, Dr. Teresa Clarke will present on the history of acupuncture and summarize the research studies on the neurophysiology, underlying its mechanism of action.

myoActivation treatment in a primary care setting (part 3)

myoActivation is an injection-based treatment modality being used in BC for people with chronic pain by clinicians at The myo Clinic, BC Children's Hospital, Downtown Eastside Community Health Centre, and CHANGEpain. This webinar is the third in our three-part series on the myoActivation treatment approach.

Factors Affecting Return to Work After Injury or Illness

Work disability is a major personal, financial, and public health burden. With more people living with many types of chronic illnesses now than ever before, the problem of work disability will continue to escalate if we do not take action.

Work Experiences and Adaptations Made by Employees with Arthritis

This webinar describes the common challenges employees with arthritis face at work, and the strategies they use to maintain employment.

Multiple Sclerosis and Work: Individual Factors Impacting Employment Status

This webinar discusses the individual factors affecting employment status among people living with MS.

Psychosocial Work Environment and Risk of Stroke

Stroke is a major cause of morbidity, mortality and disability world-wide. Psychosocial work factors, such as stress, have been proposed to be a risk factor for stroke, but previous findings have been mixed. In this webinar, Eleonor Fransson, PhD discusses how psychosocial factors such as stress can contribute to a higher risk for stroke in the workplace.

myoActivation: A systematic approach to pediatric complex pain care (part 2)

myoActivation is an injection-based treatment modality being used in BC for people with chronic pain. This webinar is the second in our three-part series on the myoActivation treatment approach.

The myoActivation system of pain care (part 1)

myoActivation is an injection-based treatment modality being used in BC for people with chronic pain by clinicians at The myo Clinic, BC Children's Hospital, Downtown Eastside Community Health Centre, and CHANGEpain. This webinar is the first in our three-part series on the myoActivation treatment approach.

Opioids, Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Work-Related Outcomes

This webinar examines the current evidence around the early use of opioids after work-related low back injuries and work outcomes.

Narrative Medicine Tools for Health Care Providers

In this webinar, Dr. Katrina Genuis explores the difference between pain and suffering, focusing on suffering as the dimension of existence providers should aim to heal when pain is intractable.

Chronic Migraine in Primary Care

​People with chronic migraine represent the more severe end of the migraine clinical spectrum, and generally have more disability than individuals with episodic migraine.

Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions

Living with chronic conditions comes with various challenges that can be frustrating to deal with because individuals are often caught in the vicious cycle of symptoms they are experiencing. Dealing with chronic conditions on a daily basis can affect one's emotional, physical and mental well-being. As a result, it is essential to learn different strategies to live a healthier life with chronic conditions. In this webinar, we will learn about Lana's personal journey from starting to live with chronic conditions to her returning to work, gaining a better understanding of the concepts of self-management and exploring different tools to help individuals break the vicious cycle.

From Painful to Playful: An Intuitive Approach to Pediatric Pain Management

All children have a right to play. This is especially important for children and youth living with pain.

Workplace Safety and Prescribed Medications in Chronic Pain Patients​

The following webinar highlights perspectives and concerns of different stakeholders regarding a safe workplace and ‘medication’-related workplace impairment, especially for safety-sensitive workers.

Microbiome: Linking Nutrition & Pain

We change our body chemistry every time we eat. Our food has the power to increase or decrease body-wide inflammation. Yet most medical schools have a few hours of learning time devoted to a topic that has the potential to help every patient seen.

Workplace Safety and Prescribed Medications in Chronic Pain Patients

Employers are obliged to provide a safe work environment for employees. Unions are concerned for th

Perspectives of People with a Chronic Disease on Participating in Work

In this webinar, Marloes Voojis provides insight in the rationale of supporting work in people with a chronic disease.

Chronic Pain: Managing Without Opioids

Treatment of chronic pain requires “multimodal analgesia,” a management plan that often requires pharmacological as well as non-drug therapies, and very importantly large measures of clinician guided patient self-management.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain

Bladder sensitization. Incontinence. Pain with sex. These are some of the many symptoms of chronic pelvic pain.

Perspectives of People with a Chronic Disease on Participating in Work

This webinar will provide insight in the rationale of supporting work in people with a chronic disea

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain

This webinar presents the theory and evidence underlying Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for chronic pain, as well as the core skills needed in applying this therapeutic approach.

Work Remains Meaningful Despite Time Out of the Workplace

This webinar explores the meaningfulness of work for people living with long-term work disability and chronic pain, and the role meaning plays in return to work effort.

Pharmacogenomic Testing for Pain Management

This webinar provides health care providers with a basic overview on pharmacogenomic testing and how it can be used as a tool to support patients in making decisions about which medication(s) are most suitable for their overall pain management.

New Strategies for Couples Coping with Chronic Pain

​In this webinar, Dr. Cano provides an overview of the research on the powerful effect of couples' relationship dynamics on pain and provides evidence-based strategies for couples to manage pain and distress together.

Chronic Pain, Anger and Grief

At first glance, a webinar that brings chronic pain, grief and anger together might seem strange. However, these three are often intertwined in those who experience chronic pain. For those with chronic pain, the topic is a no-brainer: they know all about grief and anger.

How to Talk to Chronic Pain Patients About Neuroplasticity, CBT and Mindfulness

If you’ve ever tried to explain neuroplasticity in a few sentences with your chronic pain patients, then you know how challenging that can be. Clinicians need to be careful in how we talk about neuroplasticity, self-management and catastrophizing with patients.

Chronic Pain: Is It All In Their Head?

Most practitioners have historically considered chronic pain to be largely from peripheral nocicepti

When Chronic Pain Patients Ask About Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

For some patients, life with chronic pain can become unbearable. The sense of isolation, hopelessness and stigma can be overwhelming for people living with persistent or complex pain and death may seem like the only option.

Chronic Pain in the Elderly

Chronic pain is very common in older adults and is often under-recognized and under-treated. Pain often co-exists with other geriatric syndromes such as multimorbidity, polypharmacy and falls, and can have a very significant effect on function and quality of life.

A Mindfulness Program Adapted for Adolescents with Chronic Pain

Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) are emerging as promising treatments to reduce physical and e

Why is My Pain Getting Worse? Central Sensitization Diagnosis and Management

Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) a​​ffects around 1 in 5 Canadians and is the leading cause of disability globally. Opioid medications, surgery and many other ‘traditional’ medical interventions may be ineffective and possibly harmful when used to treat CNCP.

The Association Of Post Motor Vehicle Crash Pain And Longer Term Health Outcomes

Motor vehicle crashes are recognized as an important cause of death and disability worldwide. The following webinar highlights the increasing knowledge of psychosocial and biological factors associated with the development of chronic pain as a result of motor vehicle accidents.

Mindfulness for Cancer Survivors Living with Chronic Neuropathic Pain

This webinar explores the use of mindfulness-based intervention in chronic neuropathic pain conditions, with results from two recently completed clinical trials demonstrating intervention effectiveness.

The Association Of Post Motor Vehicle Crash Pain And Longer Term Health Outcomes

Webinar presented in partnership with the CIRPD Motor vehicle crashes are recognized as an importan

Utilizing Science, Technology and the Arts to Transform Pain: An Update

This webinar features Dr. Diane Gromala, a technology expert who has suffered from chronic pain for several decades. Her research focus is on creating and assessing new technologies that may help people who live with long-term pain.

Using the Therapeutic Relationship to Promote Neuroplastic Change in Chronic Pain Patients

The therapeutic relationship between providers and patients has long been an assumption of practice. Yet how do we use this with our most complex and challenging patients?

The Social Consequences of Pain

The following webinar highlights the social ramifications of chronic pain, and raises awareness of steps clinicians can take to manage the social consequences of chronic pain.

Pain Management in Indigenous People: Through the Lens of Culture, Society and Medicine

In the following webinar, Dr. Bertram presents on the dynamic in First Nations, Metis, & Inuit community between pain, trauma, and cultural adaptation.

What Health Care Providers Should Know about Acupuncture for Chronic Pain Patients

In this webinar,  Acupuncturist Scott Livingstone provides an overview on acupuncture treatment and how it can be a helpful management tool for people living with complex pain.

From Pain to Pleasure: How Painful Experiences May Benefit Our Lives

Pain is something that most people try to avoid. The experience of pain, however, may be better unde

Reducing Catastrophizing to Prevent and Treat Chronic Pain

The following webinar discusses the science behind pain catastrophizing, its impacts, and why this psychological construct should be assessed and treated in outpatients and in individuals who are planning to have surgery.

Trauma-Informed Practice in Pain Program Care

In the following webinar, Dr. May Caprio (Psychologist at Royal Jubliee Hospital) discusses the importance of trauma-informed care when addressing pain in patients.

The Chronic Pain Network: Update and Future Plans

Dr. Norm Buckley, Professor and Chair, Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University discusses the purpose, objectives, and structure of the Chronic Pain Network, as well as approved research and opportunities for participation with the Network.

The Canadian Chronic Pain Research Network: Update and Future Plans

Dr Buckley will discuss the purpose, objectives, and structure of the Canadian Chronic Pain Research

Pain and Therapeutic Movement: Is a Paradigm Shift Required?

We all have a medicine cabinet inside us.

Chronic Pain After Surgery: Predictive Factors and Prevention Strategies

The risk factors for development of chronic pain after surgery are wide ranging and include nerve injury, severe preoperative and acute postoperative pain as well as psychosocial factors such as catastrophizing.

Understanding Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

​Dr. Nickel provides an overview of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) and some of the complications that can make diagnosis and treatment challenging and shares insight into best treatment practices.

How to Thrive Despite Chronic Pain

Pain often causes people to stop doing the most meaningful or enjoyable (fun) activities in their li

Education, Expectation and Motivation: Vital Drivers For Change in Pediatric Chronic Pain

Education, expectation, and motivation are the vital drivers we need to improve outcomes for pediatric care of chronic pain.

Understanding Fear-Avoidance Beliefs and Chronic Pain

In this webinar, Dr. Gatchel helps us understand what fear-avoidance beliefs and behaviours are, how they affect people with chronic pain, and what tools and treatments can be used to help people with pain reduce those beliefs.

Charting the Brain's Pain Map: Why Mine is Different Than Yours

​Dr. Karen Davis discusses the ways brain imaging and behavioural measurements are used to chart "pain maps" and show differences between the way brains respond to pain.

Chronic Pain Self-Management Support with Pain Science Education and Exercise

Chronic pain often interferes with a person’s ability to function and participate in important activities in life. Many people with chronic pain suggest effectively managing pain includes finding ways to gain function and get back to these activities.

Mindfulness, Emotions and Pain Treatment

Chronic pain is a challenging condition resulting in disability, emotional upheaval and family dysfunction.

Identifying the Differences between Depression and Pain-Related Distress

Many people who live with chronic pain report that they also suffer from low mood, irritability, and withdrawal from activities and relationships.

What Emergency Physicians Need to Know about Caring for Patients with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects 20% of British Columbians, yet few physicians understand the myriad conditions that cause it, or how to treat it.

Pain-related Distress: Recognition and Appropriate Interventions

Many people who live with chronic pain report that they also suffer from low mood, irritability, and

Exercise Management for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – The Evidence and Current Approaches

This webinar examines the current evidence for exercise management, and also discusses types of exercise modalities and the effects on fatigue and immune function, which may prove useful for clinical exercise practice.

The Difference Gender and Sex Make to Work Disability Outcomes

This webinar discusses how accounting for sex and gender in work and health research can make a difference in our understanding of health outcomes and health services, with a focus on work related illness, injury, and disability.

Targeting Pain and Prescription Opioid Misuse with Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement

In this webinar, Dr. Eric Garland discusses his research on the clinical benefits and neurobiological mechanisms of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement, a novel therapy designed to target chronic pain and prevent opioid-related problems.

Empowering People in Pain to Make Peace with Sleep

In the following webinar, Dr. May Caprio provides an overview of the bi-directional relationship between sleep and pain, along with treatment options available for people in pain who concurrently experience ongoing issues with sleep.

Chronic Pelvic Pain: Thinking Outside the Box

What are the causes and possible contributors to chronic pelvic pain? Dr.

Chronic Pain: Is it All in the Brain?

In this webinar, Dr. Cervero helps us identify the brain mechanisms that generate the transition from acute to chronic pain and that contribute to pain hypersensitivity. He also discusses therapies that address this enhanced pain sensitivity caused by the brain.

Opioids: Friend or Foe?

In this webinar, Dr. Furlan discusses the myths and facts around addiction and opioids and teach skills that will help patients and doctors communicate about using opioids for the treatment of chronic pain. 

The Chronic Pain Conundrum: Current Issues in Research, Awareness, Education, and Access to Care

Despite many recent advances in the past 40 years in the understanding of pain mechanisms, and in pain diagnosis and treatment, considerable gaps in knowledge and management remain, with chronic pain present in epidemic proportions in most countries.

Positive Coping with Chronic Pain

This webinar features Dr. Joti Samra, who specializes in developing coping strategies for difficult life situations, including living with chronic pain. Dr. Samra will review the importance of a self-management approach to managing chronic pain and offer valuable insights into the cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment model.