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Understanding Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is any pain that lasts longer than the expected healing time (usually three to six months). It can be continuous pain or it can come and go.
The pain may be related to medical conditions like arthritis, or may be a disorder itself such as migraines or fibromyalgia.
Chronic Pain is Real Pain
15-39% of children live with chronic pain
Even if there is no clear cause for your child’s chronic pain, it is important to believe that their pain is real.
If your child has pain, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about possible reasons and treatments.
Treatment
Because there are many possible reasons for chronic pain and because every child experiences pain differently, your child might need different types of treatment to manage their pain. This could include a combination of medication, psychological, and physical treatments. Chronic pain teams can work with you and your child to find ways to help manage your child’s pain.
Chronic Pain Teams
Pediatric chronic pain clinics usually have teams of health care professionals available to help children gain control over their pain. A typical team may include specialist physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals such as psychologists and physiotherapists.
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Coping Skills
Too little or too much physical activity, sleep problems, stress, anxiety, and emotions can all have effects on pain signals going to the brain. Here are some ways to cope with chronic pain:
Relaxation
We all need to relax some times, and it’s good to take breaks when the pain is getting to be too much. Anything from listening to music, practicing mindful breathing, or stretching out on the couch can help distract your child from the pain.
Gentle Exercise
Gentle exercise can motivate your body and mind to be more active and can help with pain relief. Taking a jog, practicing yoga, playing badminton or even going for a walk can help.
Sleep
Getting enough sleep is very important for your child. Too little sleep or sleep that isn’t restful can affect your child’s mood and their experience of pain. Help your child get a good night’s sleep by sticking to a bedtime routine, avoid caffeine, limit screen time within a few hours of bedtime, and encourage regular exercise.
Medication
Some children may take pain medication to help manage their pain. Sometimes these medications won’t help your child. You can talk to your child’s pain team about medications as part of your child’s treatment plan.
Find a Clinic
Choose the Province or Territory you live in to find pediatric chronic pain services near you. If your area is not listed, try contacting your healthcare provider.
Stollery Children’s Hospital Chronic Pain Clinic
8440 112 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7
Alberta Children’s Hospital Pediatric and Adolescent Complex Pain Clinic
28 Oki Drive NW
Calgary, AB
T3B 6A8
BC Children’s Hospital Complex Pain Service
4480 Oak Street
Main hospital building, Room E400, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4
Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre Pediatric Complex Pain Clinic
5850/5980 University Avenue Halifax, NS B3K 6R8
SickKids Hospital Chronic Pain Clinic
Room 5308, 555 University Avenue, Toronto ON M5G 1X8
Holland Bloorview Kid’s Rehabilitation Hospital
150 Kilgour Road, Toronto ON M4G 1R8
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Chronic Pain Service
Max Keeping Wing
401 Smyth Road, Ottawa ON K1H 8L1
London Health Sciences Centre Pediatric Chronic Pain Program
Room B1-200, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON N6A 5W9
McMaster Children’s Hospital Pediatric Chronic Pain Program
1200 Main Street West, Hamilton ON L8N 3Z5
Royal University Hospital Interdisciplinary Pediatric Complex Pain Clinic
103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8
Chu Sainte-Justine
3175 Chemin de la Côte Ste-Catherine, Montréal QC H3T 1C5
Montreal Children’s Hospital Chronic Pain Clinic
1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal QC H4A 3J1
Useful links
ECHO Research Resources
ECHO Research has created other chronic pain resources in collaboration with the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute. These include an e-book, audio book, video book, and breathing exercises.
The Meg Foundation
The Meg Foundation mission is to make sure every child and every family feels empowered to prevent and relieve pain by creating access to information, skills, and support through the use of technology. They have a variety of resources about childhood pain.
This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation through the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute
