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Canadian Pain Task Force Online Consultation

Thank you for your interest in this consultation with the Canadian Pain Task Force towards an improved approach to better understand, prevent, and manage pain in Canada. 

The online consultation is now closed, and written submissions are no longer being accepted. 

Feedback provided from the consultation will inform a report identifying best and leading practices, potential areas for improvement, and elements of an improved approach to pain management in fall 2020. 

For more information on the Task Force, please visit the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/canadian-pain-task-force.html  

Keep in touch with us via email at CPTF cptfsecretariatsecretariatgtcsld@canada.ca 

Sincerely, 

Canadian Pain Task Force

The Canadian Pain Task Force is leading a national consultation. Our aim is to help the Government of Canada better understand and address the needs of the millions of Canadians who live with pain.

We invite you to share your experience and ideas on this topic. Your input will shape our report to Health Canada in June 2020. At that time we will outline elements of an improved approach to pain in Canada.

This consultation will be open online from February 27 to May 29, 2020.

It will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete the questionnaire, depending on how much input you would like to give. You can save your work at any point and submit your response any time before the closing date. Please note, for your input to be considered, you must click SUBMIT on the last page of the questionnaire.

We encourage you to share the questionnaire with others. Please include your family, friends and anyone else you may know who would like to improve how we address pain in Canada.

You may also wish to review the first Task Force report for background information. That report describes current strengths and weaknesses across the following themes:

We encourage you to think about any of these themes that are important to you when giving your input.

For more information about the Task Force, please visit the Canadian Pain Task Force web page: Link.

Before participating, please review the Privacy Notice. It will give you information on your privacy rights.

The Canadian Pain Task Force is leading a national consultation. Our aim is to help the Government of Canada better understand and address the needs of the millions of Canadians who live with pain.

We invite you to share your experience and ideas on this topic. Your input will shape our report to Health Canada in June 2020. At that time we will outline elements of an improved approach to pain in Canada.

This consultation will be open online from February 27 to May 29, 2020.

It will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete the questionnaire, depending on how much input you would like to give. You can save your work at any point and submit your response any time before the closing date. Please note, for your input to be considered, you must click SUBMIT on the last page of the questionnaire.

We encourage you to share the questionnaire with others. Please include your family, friends and anyone else you may know who would like to improve how we address pain in Canada.

You may also wish to review the first Task Force report for background information. That report describes current strengths and weaknesses across the following themes:

We encourage you to think about any of these themes that are important to you when giving your input.

For more information about the Task Force, please visit the Canadian Pain Task Force web page: Link.

Before participating, please review the Privacy Notice. It will give you information on your privacy rights.

Tell your story

Share your personal experience with pain. 

Your personal experience is important to us. We want to know about the impact of pain on your life and/or on the lives of those you care for.

  • How has pain affected your life?
  • Please describe the pain you have experienced and/or are experiencing. 
  • What challenges have you faced?
  • What has helped you the most?

We are interested in hearing from everyone, including people living with pain, health care providers, caregivers, family and friends, and others interested in this area.

All comments submitted will be reviewed prior to posting to ensure that any content that identifies a third party or involves the use of inappropriate language/behavior will be removed. Before participating, please review the Privacy Notice.

Thank you for having the courage to share your personal experience

Your responses have been received.

If you wish, you may return to the Canadian Pain Task Force consultation page.


CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Been there, done that with all of the medications

    by Onesorelady, over 4 years ago

    At age 50, I find I am about as mobile as my great grandmother was at 90. The chronic pain is so intense that I become more and more sedentary every day. I have tried all of the recommendations for medicines including THC and CBD. Nothing has worked in the long term. I have also found that when medication does work, it is accompanied by such s feeling of being medicated that it actually makes me more sedentary than without it. I feel like I am dazed and not at all involved with life.

    Before the pandemic, I had discovered... Continue reading

  • For the health of it!

    by Jacksprat, over 4 years ago

    I am new to experiencing chronic pain, after a car accident 6 months ago I have ongoing lower back pain, digestive problems and extremely painful headaches and left side TMJ pain. Its been challenging because I’ve had to explain my situation every visit to walkin clinics and I have not had much luck finding the right meds. I finally found a doctor at a walk-in close by who remembers me and knows what I’m experiencing. In all honesty this turn with my overall health has really taken its toll on me, this pain is real. Im just having a hard... Continue reading

  • Who Knew?

    by indigojude, over 4 years ago

    When I was younger (say, up to 30), I didn't expect to live with pain on a daily basis. I saw my parents coping with arthritis, and know that my father retired at 62 instead of 65 due to the pain of arthritis in his shoulders. I didn't ever think that I would suffer similar conditions because I was young and strong, and that "just wouldn't be me".

    Fast forward to my 71st year and I am set straight by my own medical conditions. I'm fairly active, like to travel, and I'm very independent. At least, I was all those... Continue reading

  • Pain in the butt

    by Bubbles, over 4 years ago

    Well, not in the butt, but close by. I have chronic pain in my hip area and 2 years of pain in my left knee area. It wakes me up at night. I can't take anti-inflammatories because of liver issues. I pulled my hamstring in my knee area 2 years ago at work. I went to chiropractor, massage therapist, and physio therapy. The pain came and went. Finally my doctor told me to stop doing all of the above and let it rest. Which I did. Some success but now it is back. My leg aches so much I want... Continue reading

  • Marfan pain has really horribly changed my life!

    by Pain Really Sucks, over 4 years ago

    Being born with Marfan syndrome and misdiagnosed until I was 53 really sucks. Not only the fact that many things will bother me as I age needlessly as my scoliosis could have been operated on to fix my debilitating back pain. But in trying to get relief from it I suffered a stroke which might not have occurred had I been pain free. Manipulating my back and neck pain often with 2 people trying to crack my neck and back and manipulate it is quite horrible to even think of now especially when my cardiologists and surgeons just shutter when... Continue reading

  • Increasing pain, unable to get help

    by smudge, over 4 years ago

    I am 63 years old and have fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, severe osteoarthritis and now digestive problems. I am unable to have appointments with physicians as the COVID-19 is keeping me inside and the telephone consultations all require tests and follow-up -- none of which can happen.

    Also, I have a physician, specialist, who does not take my symptoms seriously and will no longer see me. I need to see someone new -- who knows when that referral can happen. I am left to self-medicate, but these don't usually work. I'm exhausted and mentally frustrated.

  • Awareness re: significance of non medication modalities in chronic pain management

    by rsm, over 4 years ago

    I am a physician working in speciality of chronic pain and opioid use for last 5+ years.

    I have noticed a reasonable uptake of physical therapy and physical activity which has strong evidence for relief of chronic pain in Fibromyalgia, Chronic Back Pain and Osteoarthritis and many other MSK pains. (https://exerciseismedicine.org/canada/)

    Discussing the harm vs hurt concept and education and health teaching re: rationale of using exercise and physical activity goes a long way in acceptance by clients.

    We as health professionals need more discussion around how we can make that available to our clients.




  • Just keep on keeping on!

    by Heatherjoanne, over 4 years ago

    I’m going to address the impact on families first. My husband feels rather helpless. He feels like he should be able to help me, but there is nothing he can do. He knows I need to keep moving or I won’t be able to, and he tells me it hurts him to watch me trying to do chores and often just getting around. I have grandchildren that know “you can’t play with Grandma because it hurts her.“ It has impacted my relationship with them. Now for my daily life. I have Remitting Relapsing MS, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis. I have... Continue reading

  • I’m not “too young to be in pain”

    by vondee, over 4 years ago

    An incident when I was 14 years old caused me to develop chronic lower back pain. It is undiagnosed to exactly what the problem is, no imaging shows any problems.
    And when I was 20 years old, I crashed a dirt bike, giving myself a severe concussion and a shoulder injury. No broken bones or any issues visible on any imaging. I do suffer from severe headaches from time to time as well.

    I have seen many physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, surgeons and other doctors/specialists. I have tried all sorts of medications, therapies, injections and procedures.

    3 years after my... Continue reading

  • Chronic Migraines and Headaches

    by Crown Land, over 4 years ago

    I'm 36 and have been having chronic migraines and headaches for 5 years. My symptoms include pain all over my head including my tongue, skin, teeth, eyes, scalp, and "normal" headache-type pain. I also have dizziness, nausea, difficulty finding words, shaky hands, fatigue, inability to concentrate, and mood swings. This sucks.

    I am able to work, but my prescription medication makes me foggy and that in combination with my pain makes it difficult to concentrate. I have to take an average of two days off sick per month. I am extremely fortunate to have an understanding employer but my previous... Continue reading