This podcast covers all aspects of chronic pain by presenting evidence-based information that provides better insight into chronic pain. Recent Government of Canada research found that Veterans are twice as likely to suffer from chronic pain compared to others in the Canadian population. We aim to investigate how this impacts Veterans, and their families. We explore topics such cannabis and psychedelics, and do they help treat chronic pain? We also investigate back surgery, military identity and what military and professional athletes have in common with identity. The evidence-based information on the show will help Veterans, clinicians, researchers, and anyone suffering from chronic pain. It is a 360-degree approach to education on chronic pain.
Learn moreResearch has shown Veterans suffer from chronic pain at twice the rate of the civilian population. Many Veterans and many listeners to this show suffer from back pain, many have asked does surgery help with back pain? Or are there other therapies which may help with back pain vs surgery? To help answer this question I am joined by Dr. Brian Drew.
People who live with chronic pain suffer greatly and it impacts their quality of life. There are many treatments available and medications that will help people with chronic pain. One that’s been talked about over several years is cannabis. But does cannabis work? Is it effective? To help answer these questions, we’re joined by two guests: Dr. Jason Busse – Research Director at the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans and Bruno Guevremont – Veteran and member of the Advisory Council for Veterans.
Chronic pain is pain that typically persists for 90 days and can also be associated with with a procedure or injury when healing fails to progress as expected. On this episode of the Most Painful Podcast we discuss inter-disciplinary pain clinics. Our guests are Dr. Ramesh Zacharias – CEO, President and Medical Director at the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans Dr. Brenda Lau – Founder and Medical Director at Change Pain
With so many veterans and family members suffering from chronic pain, how does sex and gender impact the research, assessment, and treatment of chronic pain? We welcome Dr. Stacey Ritz to discuss this.
From our past show, the audience has provided some great feedback on how the information on this show has helped them. We have focused on chronic pain management in Canada, but how is chronic pain managed in other countries? Are the treatments the same? The US VA (United States Department of Veteran's Affairs) has changed their approach to how they manage chronic pain and to talk about this today, we are joined by Retired Sergeant General from the US Army, Eric Schoomaker.
Suffering from chronic pain can have a severe impact on a person’s quality of life. Psychedelics are being talked about as a treatment to help people suffering from chronic pain, but does it really work? To talk about the effectiveness of psychedelics I am joined by Dr. Michael Verbora from McMaster University, Bruno Guevremount, a Veteran and consultant to the psychedelics industry and Arron Victory, a Veteran and consultant to the psychedelics.
Military members have all their healthcare needs taken care of while they are in service, but what happens when the members leave the military? How smooth is the transition to the civilian medical system? especially with a shortage of family doctors? How do veterans navigate the medical system to ensure they get the care they need for service-related injuries? What do civilian clinicians need to understand about this transition to better help their veteran patients? To help answer those questions we are joined by two guests veteran Brad White and Dr. Abhimanyu Sud.
Many Canadians are living with chronic pain which impacts their quality of life. Studies have shown that Canadian military Veterans are twice as likely to have chronic pain compared to the equivalent Canadian population. In this inaugural episode of the Most Painful Podcast, the host Tom Hoppe will explore this problem with guest Dr. Ramesh Zacharias, CEO and Medical Director of the Chronic Pain Center of Excellence for Canadian Veterans.
When a person gets into the military culture, their identity changes, their mindset changes to mission-first, self-last. How does that impact how they manage and view chronic pain? In this episode of The Most Painful Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Melanie Noel – Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary, and Hélène Le Scelleur – Veteran, Recipient of the 2021 Capacity Building Initiative, and member of the Advisory Council for Veterans.
Research has shown Veterans who suffer with chronic pain may also suffer with an OSI injury. When one suffers from chronic pain and an operational stress injury it can severally impact quality of life and create stress within the family. On today’s show Tom Hoppe is joined by Steve Critchley founder of CanPraxuis a non for profit organization helping Veterans and their families who are struggling with chronic pain and OSI.
In our first season, we talked to experts on the challenges of military identity on the healing journey for Veterans suffering from chronic pain. Military identity and mindset are important to work in a regimental institutionalized setting. Professional athletes have some of the same identity challenges. In the US, there is a program where professional athletes and Veterans work together to learn from each other’s challenges. What can Veterans learn from professional athletes to help them transition? Today on the show we have Cameron Gaunce who is a professional athlete and has insight into the identity challenges of athletes.
No matter what we are doing; eating, sleeping, walking or talking - we are breathing. Our breath is with us at every moment of our life. On today's episode, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Abhimanyu Sud, who explains the importance of yogic breathing when living with chronic pain. Included in this episode: An ujjayi breath exercise you can try at home.
On today's episode, host Tom Hoppe speaks with Monica Szeliga, a nutritionist and registered dietician, on why food is fuel. They discuss the importance of not only what we eat, but also how we eat and why what we eat can affect our overall health, including our physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Chronic pain can impact sleep and we have heard from experts that good quality sleep is important for our health. So, if someone is suffering from chronic pain what can they do to get better sleep? To talk to us about this today is Allison Gaudet, who is a physiotherapist who works with people suffering from chronic pain.
Please note this episode of The Most Painful Podcast is in French. To kick off this first season of podcasts in French, what better way to start than to suggest non-pharmacological ways of managing pain to veterans! In this podcast, we discuss with Nathan Augeard, a physiotherapist and doctoral student at McGill University in Montreal, the importance of rehabilitation and physiotherapy in the management of pain and how each person can try to manage their pain and minimize its impact on their daily lives. We also discuss the concept of a model used in rehabilitation that considers the whole person, the use of the biopsychosocial model and how physiotherapists use it for pain assessment and treatment planning. This podcast concludes with the importance of the physiotherapist working in partnership with the person in the treatment of pain.
On today's episode, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Rob Whitley, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University, to speak about the impact the media has on Veterans who suffer from chronic pain. Dr. Whitley also speaks about the role of cannabis in treatment of chronic pain and the lack of knowledge within the healthcare system. Watch the 'Joint Forces: Cannabis Use, Chronic Pain and PTSD among Canadian Veterans' series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKGu0ZIrR7Zy8wcPwM9Qekx2Mx5BqQsfb
Exploring the connection between mental health and chronic pain. In this and the previous episode, we will be speaking to experts on the connection between chronic pain and mental health. On today's episode, host Tom Hoppe welcomes Dr. Don Richardson - clinical psychiatrist working with Veterans and is currently conducting a research project on the connection between pain and mental health.
When someone is suffering from chronic pain, movement has been proven to be helpful in conditioning, recovery, and overall improvement in health. What needs to be considered is what is safe movement and how do you move when you are suffering from chronic pain? We need to make Veterans aware they must change how they approach physical training and that movement may be completely different from the movements they've learned in service. On todays show, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Lindsay Rite, the director of Allied Health at CHANGEPain Clinic in Vancouver.
Mindfulness can play a key role in managing your chronic pain, specifically when it comes to orienteering your thoughts and emotions during your day to day activities to help manage your health. Today on the show, Tom Hoppe hosts Dr. Rahul Gupta to speak about physical and mental well being.
Chronic Pain and Mental Health - Part 1 Mental health can impact chronic pain. In the next two episodes, we will be speaking to experts on the connection between chronic pain and mental health. On today's episode, host Tom Hoppe welcomes Fardous Hosseiny, the CEO of Atlas. Fardous Hosseiny shares about what ATLAS is and why it was established, the kind of research are Atlas is involved in, how Veterans are impacted and what resources are available to them. For more on the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families visit https://atlasveterans.ca/
Every military member in Canada goes through the same basic training and methodology, which forms a unique military identity and culture. But how does your civilian culture also impact your military identity? Today on the show, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Luc J. Hébert to speak about francophone military identity and overall military identity and culture when it comes to research. We are excited to announce that Luc will be hosting our next two episodes of The Most Painful Podcast fully in French!
Please note this episode of The Most Painful Podcast is in French. In this second podcast of season 2, we have a very special guest who is not yet a veteran and who is on active duty in the CAF and knows first-hand what pain is and how it can have a huge impact on a soldier's quality of life. I am speaking with LCol Simon Mailloux, currently on exchange at the Pentagon as a staff officer with the US Joint Staff. During his first deployment in Afghanistan in 2007, young officer Mailloux was hit by an improvised explosive device and lost men under his command. He was severely wounded and suffered a leg amputation and multiple injuries. After a long rehabilitation and several months of arduous training, he was redeployed to the combat zone in 2009. In this podcast, we talk to LCol Mailloux about how he manages his pain daily and his strategies to stay as physically active as possible. We also discuss the military culture and its impact on pain management and the trust relationship with the clinicians who treat it, the perception of what a veteran is in 2023 according to the general population and the importance of military identity, but most importantly the impact of our own civilian culture on our military identity.
After the buzzer goes and its time to hang up your jersey, what comes next? On the season three season premiere, Tom Hoppe is joined by Leo Rautins, former NBA player and current Canadian broadcaster for the Toronto Raptors, along with Cameron Gaunce, a current professional hockey player. Tom discusses the similarities between military and athlete identity and why it is important for athletes and Veterans to discuss transition and mindset after their careers are over.
When someone suffers from chronic pain they may, look for alternative ways to manage the pain. Yoga is one of those ways, but does it really help? On today’s show, we will discuss the scientific evidence for yoga as pain management. Host Tom Hoppe is joined by Neil Person a physiotherapist and adjunct professor at University of British Colombia.
As Veterans and Canadian citizens, we are aware of the situation and treatment of chronic pain of Veterans in the Canadian system. But what about other countries? In season one, episode 10, we spoke to Eric Schumacher, a retired US Army surgeon general, about how the USVA is changing the way they treat chronic pain for Veterans. Now, we look to the United Kingdom. On today's episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dominic Aldington who is a pain physician in England and will talk about what the UK is doing for its Veterans.
Back in season 1, episode 2, we spoke about cannabis and if it's effective in the management of chronic pain. On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined once again by Dr. Jason Busse who has just completed research comparing opioids to cannabis in terms of their success when helping manage chronic pain treatments. Listen to Season 1 Episode 2: Is Cannabis an effective treatment for chronic pain? https://www.spreaker.com/episode/51855162
Veterans may be familiar with the term Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI with cases being linked to overseas deployment and roadside blasts, but what is a TBI? How does it impact a person? Is a TBI the same as a concussion? On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Lyn Turkstra who is speech language pathologist and is conducting research about TBI and concussions in Veterans.
We know that Veterans live with chronic pain at twice the rate of the general population. One form of chronic pain that both Veterans and civilians live with is osteoarthritis. But, what can you do to treat or help people have a better quality of life if they have osteoarthritis? On todays episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Eugene Maida who is with the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at McMaster University.
Strength training helps maintain muscle mass, helps with balance, mobility, and longevity. However, when someone suffers from chronic pain how does that person do strength training in a safe manner? On todays episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Leroy Ho, a physiotherapist, to help us understand the proper way to strength train when suffering from chronic pain.
The 2019 Life After Service Study* shows Canadian Veterans suffer from chronic pain twice that of the Canadian population. The study also indicates women Veterans suffer from chronic pain twice that of male Veterans. But, how does pain impact women in service compared to men? To explore this topic in more depth, Tom Hoppe is joined by Luc J. Hébert, host of the French version of The Most Painful Podcast, and Hélène Le Scelleur, Co-Chair for the CPCoE Advisory Council for Veterans who is completing her Ph.D. on military identity. Other resources mentioned: *https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-vac/research/research-directorate/publications/reports/lass-well-being-2020
Many Veterans suffer from transition, chronic pain, finding new purpose, losing community, and losing hope. We also see similarities with civilians who live with chronic pain. To aid with these problems, programs have been designed to help Veterans. On today's episode, Tom Hoppe will discuss a program he is involved with called the Military Veteran Alpine Challenge. He will be joined by three participants from the hike; Dr. Lindsay Rite, Synika Gee and Lauren O'Grady. More information on the Military Veteran Alpine Challenge - https://www.veteranschronicpain.ca/posts/canadian-military-veterans-bring-awareness-and-education-to-chronic-pain-through-annual-hike-event
When it comes to prolonged pain, you'd think that finding out what's mechanically wrong with your back would fix everything. What's more, in many cases, correcting the mechanics doesn't change anything, so the person who continues to suffer from chronic pain thinks that it's all in their head. So, is chronic pain really in your head? What if it's your brain playing tricks on you? In today's episode, Dr. Luc J. Hébert talks to retired Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. Markus Besemann, who served as a military physician and physiatrist for many years in the Canadian Armed Forces, and is now still a physician-physiatrist, clinician and owner of Beechwood Physical Medicine, a clinic focused on holistic musculoskeletal care for Veterans.
Many of us know that research is being carried out on chronic pain, but the question we're often asked is: is it useful, to whom and for what purpose? Research should be used to better equip patients and clinicians to intervene with their patients suffering from pain. Are there any concrete examples of how research can be used to improve the quality of care for chronic pain sufferers? Well, the answer is: yes! In today's episode, Dr. Luc J. Hébert talks to Professor Yannick Tousignant-Laflamme, full professor of physiotherapy at the Université de Sherbrooke and researcher at the Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke. As a researcher, Dr Tousignant has been interested in pain for many years, and in particular low-back pain, which is extremely prevalent among Canadian veterans. We will be discussing more specifically on pain management strategies, and lumbar pain in particular, in the context of a global approach; as Dr Tousignant so aptly puts it: You don't treat vertebrae, you treat a person!
Welcome back to season four of The Most Painful Podcast! We are excited to bring you some exciting guests and topics for this upcoming season. Today's episode we are going to talk about occupational therapists (OT) and what their role is in pain management. If someone is struggling with pain, what does an occupational therapist do to help people improve their well being and overall health? Tom Hoppe is joined by John Secen, who is an OT at the DeGroote Pain Centre in Hamilton, Ontario as well as John Brown, a Veteran who will share his story of how an OT can help people with pain.
This episode of The Most Painful Podcast focuses on post surgical pain. What is post surgical pain, rates of post surgical pain, psychological interventions, and some helpful tips for those who are going through post surgical pain. Joining Tom Hoppe for this topic is Dr. Max Slepian, Assistant Professor at the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Toronto. Also, Dr. Hance Clarke, who is also an Assistant Professor at the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Toronto.
On today's show, Tom Hoppe is joined by Randy Turner, a former Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) Assaulter, retired Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitor and currently a coach for strength and conditioning. Randy will speak about the importance of personalized strength training for everyday conditioning and improved mobility as well as what is a tactical athlete.\ More information on Direct Action - https://directactions.ca/
On this episode of The Most Painful Podcast, Tom Hoppe speaks with Dr. Andrea Furlan, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto and Staff Physician and Senior Scientist at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. Dr. Furlan has a book called "The Eight Steps to Conquer with Chronic Pain" which helps patients climb and conquer that mountain of chronic pain. Dr. Andrea Furlan - https://www.doctorandreafurlan.com/
In most of our previous episodes, we have had experts talk about chronic pain in adults, but what about chronic pain in children? There is a high number of children suffering from pain, but what resources are available for children? One organization is Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP). On today's episode Tom Hoppe is joined by Katie Birnie, an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and the Associate Scientific Director for Solutions for Kids in Pain. SKIP - https://kidsinpain.ca/
In previous seasons, we have covered the topic of yoga and how yoga can help manage pain. But what about trauma-informed yoga? How can it help people who struggle with emotional stress from past traumatic events. On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Lori Taylor, a trauma informed yoga and fitness instructor. Lori Taylor - https://loritaylor.ca/
Purpose and identity are important in the biopsychosocialspirtitual model of chronic pain. In previous seasons, we spoke about the similarities between military Veterans and professional athletes, especially when it comes to identity, mindset and transition when leaving the service or sport. But what are some organizations doing to help their athletes transition and deal with chronic pain management? On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Brian Ramsey, Executive Director of the Canadian Football League (CFL) Players Association (CFLPA). CFLPA - https://cflpa.com/
Opioids are one treatment for post-surgery pain management. As we have heard in the media, opioids may have a negative impact on a patient. That sparks the question; what other treatments are available to help manage post-surgical pain? One such treatment is the use of hypnosis. On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Brittany Rosenbloom, a clinical and health psychologist and associate scientist at the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute and co-author of a research project studying the effectiveness of hypnosis to help with post-surgical pain.
Suffering from chronic pain can be a lonely journey that can impact our mental and emotional health. Peer support has proven to help people connect, exchange ideas, improve mental health, and establish a community. Today, Tom Hoppe is joined by Virginia McIntyre, President of People in the Pain Network to speak to us about how their peer program can help people suffering from chronic pain.
On the podcast, we have had many experts talk on topics of pain, wellness, fitness and many other topics. Much of what they talk about comes from research. If you are looking online for information to help manage your pain, how do you know if that information is correct and how does research information get to the end users? Knowledge mobilization is a method to disseminate research information. On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Deb Denman, Director of Knowledge Mobilization for the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence.
In past episodes, we had discussed the topic of osteoarthritis. Similar to that topic is arthritis. Arthritis has an impact on a lot of people and we have had many requests from our audience for more information about arthritis and how to better manage it. On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Max Sun, Professor at the University of British Colombia and a Pain Specialist.
Recently, in 2020, a scoping review of Canadian Forces veterans was published in the Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. And unsurprisingly, this study shows that Canadian female veterans seem to face different physical and mental issues than their male colleagues and women in the general population. Unfortunately, these gender issues are little studied. Well, in this episode, we're going to talk openly about this societal issue that deserves our full attention. And to do so, what better way than to talk to two women, two Canadian veterans: retired Captain Hélène LeScelleur, who is Co-Chair of the CEDCVC's Veterans Advisory Council, and who served more than 26 years in the CAF, even being part of the first cohort of women in the infantry at the Régiment de Maisonneuve in Montreal. In this episode, Dr. Hébert also talks to retired Sergeant Anouk Beauvais, a member of the CEDCVC Advisory Board who served over 10 years in the CAF, including deployments to Bosnia and Afghanistan.
Research shows exercise is the best medicine for a healthy body and longevity. In past episodes, we have had experts say “motion is lotion” as being active is important to help with pain and they have talked about the importance of strength training to allow a person to do more activities in their life. Cardio and respiratory fitness are very important for health and longevity, but what is the best way to increase your respiratory and cardio function? One method is high-intensity training or HIIT. On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr Martin Gibala, Professor at the School of Kinesiology at Macmaster University in Hamilton.
Welcome back to season five of The Most Painful Podcast! In this episode, we dive into a topic that's crucial not only for Veterans but also for clinicians, researchers, and Veteran families. Accessing health benefits for service-related injuries requires Veterans to have an approved pension condition with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and the process can be overwhelming. Joining Tom Hoppe on this show is Harold Leduc, a former member of the Veterans Affairs Review and Appeal Board. Harold has adjudicated over 5,000 cases and served as an expert witness before Parliamentary and Senate committees. He has also advised government officials on Veteran benefits and legislation. Known for his deep knowledge of Veterans' rights and policies, Harold is here to shed light on this complex process. Veterans Affairs Canada compensation https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/mental-and-physical-health/mental-health-and-wellness/compensation-illness-or-injury
In this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Caelin Nadin to discuss how adaptability, acceptance and self regulation can help manage chronic pain. Caelin will discuss how understanding and identifying signs of dysregulation can help you regain control over your body and mind. As well, Caelin will talk about how to discover the importance of developing a personalized set of strategies to promote balance, reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
In past seasons, we spoke about traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the impacts it can have on the body. A similar issue that people may be aware about is brain fog. But what is brain fog and how does it impact quality of life? Ronessa Dass, who just completed a research project on brain fog, joins Tom Hoppe today to discuss this topic.
