Prince George residents with arthritis can learn to manage the pain with the help of a visiting physiotherapist.
Neil Pearson of Penticton brings his expertise to Prince George for the Arthritis Society on Jan. 20 to head the free presentation Overcome Pain and Live Well Again.
"There are many myths about pain that can lead to people doing the wrong things," he said. "People tend to focus on techniques that bring instant relief when perhaps they should be looking at the longer-term gains."
Pearson works with health professionals, educating them about the mysteries of chronic pain now termed "a silent epidemic."
"I want to show them how the pain system works. It's better when we understand what happens in the body so we can make better choices to deal with the pain," said Pearson.
"The main components of pain are a problem in the body, a problem in the nervous system which is hypersensitive and techniques used to find relief."
Pain BC Society, partnering with the Arthritis Society to bring Pearson to Prince George, is working on education programs for health professionals, and there is a mandate to do the same Canada-wide, said Pearson.
"As medical professionals, we need better education before and after graduation to be able to find ways to educate people who are in daily pain.
"All pain is real, but sometimes those who suffer began to doubt themselves and believe there is no way to help them."
But even those who've suffered pain for many years can be helped, he said.
"They need to understand how their nervous system is involved and that it can be changed. It may be a tedious, ongoing practice of the techniques, and it has to be done the right way, but it can lead to self-management of pain and increased activity."
Perhaps Heather Divine, a chronic pain patient, summed it up best when she said, "For so long, we've been told `It's all in your head' or `There's nothing we can do'.
"That's just not true. There is hope for people living with chronic pain - much of the suffering isn't necessary. We know what to do - educate health care providers, make modest changes to the health care system, and get patients involved as partners - we just have to do it."
About 600,000 people in B.C. have arthritis, a term used to describe more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints; causing pain, swelling and stiffness often leading to disability. It's not a disease of the elderly. It can strike at any age and three-in-five people with arthritis are under the age of 65.
Common forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
More than four million Canadians are limited with arthritis. In the last 60 years the Arthritis Society of Canada has invested more than $170 million towards arthritis research to develop better treatments and ultimately find a cure. As a donor-funded organization, funds raised go to support research, education and services.
Pearson will be in the UNBC Weldwood Lecture Theatre at 6:30 p.m. Pre-register by calling 1-866-414-7766.
