I’ve been quiet for the last few months. While I’ve been open about my struggle with chronic pain, I’ve been reluctant to share news of a possible ’cure’.  I’ve struggled with sharing because I’m worried I’ll get our hopes up – what if it stops working tomorrow? But I’m almost four months in and can say I’ve seen not only a marked improvement in my pain but in every aspect of my life.  

Earlier this year I joined the board of SaskPain, a non-profit that promotes improved understanding of pain, Saskatchewan-based pain research, and clinical practice improvements that impact people living with pain. I’m always looking for ways to turn my negative experience with chronic pain into something positive. My hope was to work with SaskPain to improve the lives of others living with chronic pain. Instead, I received information through SaskPain that transformed my life.

At my first meeting, one of my fellow board members shared information on a new miracle treatment for chronic pain – pain reprocessing therapy (PRT). It was a brief mention and all I remember hearing was ‘miracle’ and that studies show that about two-thirds of people with back pain reported being mostly or completely pain free after the treatment. As anyone living with chronic pain knows, we’ll try anything to alleviate the pain. And while I didn’t trust the word ‘miracle’, I researched all I could and had a session booked with a local counsellor who specializes in the area a few days later.

In short, pain reprocessing therapy begins on the premise that some pain is actually caused by changes to the brain after an injury that persist even after the damage from the injury heals. Pain serves as a warning signal to make us restrict movement and let the body recover. Sometimes, the brain keeps sending this signal even when the tissues are healthy. PRT works to retrain the brain and unlearn this kind of pain. It teaches people to perceive pain signals as less threatening. To help better explain, see What is Pain Reprocessing Therapy?. For a personal account, read Pauline’s story about using PRT to help with her chronic knee pain.

I worked several weeks with the counsellor to equip myself with PRT tools such as meditation, somatic tracking and emotional regulation. Within a week, I was calmer, happier, approaching each task with less urgency and nearly pain free. I do get flare ups, but now I know how to properly address any unpleasant sensations I experience.

Today I’ll keep this short but will return each week with how the PRT tools I’ve learned have improved my personal and professional life. Just know that miracles can happen with good science and hard work.