Where do you turn if your back pain doesn't get better or you have a headache that just never lets up? What if you have diabetes that causes the nerves in your feet to burn, or a shingles infection that causes a band of fiery pain around your side? What if your spinal surgery wasn’t successful, or if your elderly parent is coping with cancer-related pain? In all of these situations, you need help from a doctor or clinic with skill in treating pain and its related conditions.

The latest Canadian Pain Society/Nanos Pain Survey revealed starting facts about the prevalence and impact of chronic pain. In Atlantic Canada, between 20 and 25% of adults 18 years of age and older experience chronic pain. Nationwide, 33% of Canadians have lost a job because of their pain and 47% have had their job responsibilities reduced. Workplace costs of chronic pain in Canada amounts to approximately $37 billion a year, which includes lost jobs and sick days, but doesn't account for the lowered productivity that is experienced when people suffering with chronic pain go to work, but can't perform their job functions fully.

The study also reported that 27.9% of people in pain experience depressions, 25% reported anxiety and 16.4% reported having both. Inability to have a respite from the pain, lack of access to physicians experienced in treating pain, the invisible symptoms and effects leading to a lack of understanding and empathy from friends, family and coworkers. Unfortunately, some patients face all of these challenges. Unfortunately, suicide some event turn to suicide. Although the numbers are less definitive, the general consensus is that the suicide rate in the pain population is more than three times greater than that of the general population. For some pain patients, suicide is seen as their best, and only, option for pain relief.