Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic

NOTE: Our clinic is closed from December 25, 2023 – January 5, 2024
The clinic will reopen on Monday, January 8th, 2024

Chronic Pain is a condition affecting roughly 1 in 10 Canadians.  It involves a complex set of physical, cognitive, emotional, social and environmental factors.  We understand the challenges involved in trying to assist people suffering from chronic pain and we are here to help.

We are an interdisciplinary team with expertise in the management and treatment of chronic pain. As leaders in innovation and evidence based practices, our team works in collaboration with the patient, their family and referral sources. Our goal is to support adaptive changes to improve daily functioning, productivity and overall quality of life. Through exemplary care chronic pain patients will be empowered to improve their quality of life.

The Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic is the 2019 Partnership Award recipient in recognition of their outstanding commitment to collaboration for the benefit of the health and well being of our Indigenous peoples. De dwa de dehs nye>s primary care team and specialists from the Michael G DeGroote Pain Clinic have provided our first culturally safe, patient centred, chronic pain management clinics at both of our locations in Hamilton and Brantford.

NEW – Appointment Confirmation Required

We are trying to make it easier for patients to contact us, access the clinic services, and decrease the number of cancellations and patients no showing for their appointments.

A few things that we are doing to make improvements are:

  • Updating our telephone tree
  • Making reminder calls within less than a week of an appointment
  • Encouraging patients to confirm their appointments using MyChart. The MyChart appointment reminder will be sent 7 days in advance of your appointment. At which time you will be able to confirm your appointment via MyChart.

If you do not have MyChart, we would encourage you to sign up and explore all of the great things it offers such as: Sending notifications and reminders for appointments, access to visits notes, etc. More information is available at the front desk or talk to one of the staff about it.

If you are not interested in MyChart, you will receive a reminder call 6 days prior to your appointment. You must call us back by 0700 hours the following morning to confirm your attendance or your appointment will be cancelled.

When calling to confirm your appointment, please provide the following information in your voicemail: Full name, phone number, date of birth, appointment date/time, and doctor’s name.

 

Current Pain Clinic Patients: Forms to Complete

Please complete and submit your Brief Pain Inventory 5-7 days before your follow up appointment.  Click here:   https://chronicpain.mcmaster.ca/surveys/?s=RRMFYHNHJP

Referral Forms

Referral forms for healthcare providers can be found here.

Pain Management Program

After we receive your referral, you will be booked for an assessment and provided with education, fitness, relaxation and goal setting opportunities. A treatment plan will be provided to you as your family physician.

Our team includes Physicians, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, and Dietitians.

A referral from your family doctor is required. All referred patients must attend an assessment to determine their suitability for the program and care pathway.

Pain Management Program

Intensive Pain Program (Fee for Service)

This five-week program, for adults with chronic pain, can teach you strategies to improve your function and quality of life. Participation in our program connects you with others who have chronic pain and with our experienced staff. You do not have to figure it out by yourself. Within this environment, you can learn and apply skills to help you cope with your pain condition. Pain levels will decrease, over time, when you are managing your pain properly.

Patients participate in education classes, structured activities, and set goals in the area of productivity, work, physical fitness, social re-integration, recreation, nutrition, and family. Patients may be prescribed medication for their mood, as necessary. If left untreated, mood problems can become a barrier to rehabilitation.

Our goal is to provide patients with strategies and skills that they can apply to their own home and workplace environments.

Services include:

  • Occupational therapy (Case management)
  • Functional activities like wood working, horticulture and group outings.
  • Fitness programs like Yoga, Tai Chi and water exercises
  • Psychotherapy
  • Medication management
  • Social work
  • Nutrition
  • Daily relaxation therapy
  • Goal-setting
  • Group discussions

Family members may also be frequently affected by the pain problem. Individual sessions can be arranged for you and your spouse and/or other family members. We want to include the people most important to you in private family discussions so you will have support at home for the things you have been learning in the program.

Being part of a group provides you with an opportunity to share your experiences with others. It is a great opportunity to renew your social self.

We now offer these services both virtually and in-person. Group sizes are at a maximum of 5 people.

Please review our brochure, below. If you have any questions, please contact 905-521-2100 Ext.44621

Intensive Pain Program Brochure

Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic is a proud member of the Ontario Rehab Alliance. 

Interventional Services/Medical Management

Our goal is to enable changes in chronic pain sufferers so they can improve overall functioning and quality of life. We provide image guided interventions for chronic non-malignant pain conditions which includes the following:

  • Epidural Steroid Injections (Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar)
  • Selective Nerve Root Block
  • Medial Branch Blocks (MBBs)/Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
  • Facet Joint Injections
  • Sacroiliac Joint Injection/Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
  • Occipital Nerve Blocks/Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
  • Botox Injections
  • Peripheral Joint Injections
  • Peripheral Joint Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) (shoulder, hip, knee)
  • Sympathetic nerve blocks (Stellate Ganglion Block, Lumbar Sympathetic Block, Ganglion Impar Block)
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
  • Viscosupplementation Injections
  • IV Ketamine infusions
  • IV Lidocaine infusions

Pelvic Pain Program

Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) is pain that appears in the pelvis, anterior abdominal wall, lower back, or buttocks, that lasts for at least six months and is serious enough to cause a disability. We have a pelvic pain program for males and females.

The treatment team consists of pain physicians, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers, and pelvic health physiotherapists.

A referral from your gynecologist or urologist is required.

Treatments are once a week for 8 weeks, for approximately 2.5 hours. Topics include:

  • Science of Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • Emotion Regulation for Pelvic Pain
  • Anatomy of Pelvic Floor Health & Flare-ups
  • Trauma-focuses workshops
  • Pacing, Self-Management & Goals
  • Communication, Intimacy & Relationships
  • Promoting Anti-Inflammatory Diet – Bowel & Bladder Management

Pelvic Pain Brochure

Fibromyalgia Pain Management Program

Program temporarily closed to referrals

Fibromyalgia is a pain condition of the central nervous system characterized by multi-site body pain including pain in multiple joints, back, neck, and face.  Symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread pain, overwhelming fatigue, nonrestorative sleep, cognitive difficulties, anxiety, and depression.  There is no cure for fibromyalgia. There are also no single medication strategies that work. International guidelines have identified that an interdisciplinary approach to fibromyalgia is the only approach that can reduce symptoms  Here at MGD Pain Clinic, our goal is to provide you with the skills, knowledge, and tools to increase your function and improve your quality of life.
The patient must be at the center of this approach and must have treatment goals.

What will I learn from the MGD Fibromyalgia Pain Management Program?

  • Learn foundations of self-management
  • The importance of fitness and proper body mechanics
  • How chronic pain impacts sleep and the role of medication
  • Role of nutrition in symptom management
  • Relationship between gut health and pain
  • Mindfulness to calm your mind and ease tension
  • How your thinking impacts the way you feel
  • The importance of goal setting in improving your quality of life
  • How to pace and modify your daily activities
  • Managing trauma and building resilience

Fibromyalgia Brochure

Additional Resources:

http://www.fmguidelines.ca/
https://www.fibroandpain.org/
https://www.arthritis.ca/
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/fibromyalgia

Program Testimonials

HHS patient soldiers on with virtual pain program

“The yoga class, developed and run by Dr. Hapidou, exceeded my expectations. Before my injury, I was active. After my injury things changed. I thought I had to do an hour on my mat or it was not a true practice. I fought with my body and couldn’t help comparing myself to others and what I used to do. Now I am happy to report I find joy in moving my body again. I get a good workout and all without increasing my pain. The best part is feeling confident I can keep progressing on my own. My mood is better, I sleep deeper at night, carry less tension and stress. After a month I am seeing increased strength and balance. Yoga is accessible for everyone. Don’t be afraid to start the journey with connected breath.” – Amanda Hunt ( Virtual Intensive Program 2021)

“I found the yoga portion of the pain program very enjoyable. I have tried numerous times to participate in yoga since my accident and always left feeling discouraged. I felt I would fall behind in a group setting or that the poses were too hard on me. The very gentle approach that Dr. Hapidou introduces is both achievable and tailored to each group member. If someone is struggling with a particular movement she is quick to suggest modifications to help before moving along. Yoga morning classes felt like a safe space where I could confidently move my body while being mindful of my limitations.” – Stephanie (Virtual Intensive Program 2021)

“When I learned that the pain clinic sessions had been moved to a virtual environment, I was skeptical. How would online participation be helpful, given that my pain is far from virtual? I had a disappointing hunch that online delivery wouldn’t address my experiences or needs.

The program in fact helped enormously: I learned about pain theory, how to manage my pain, and how to incorporate some important lifestyle changes. I also participated in physiotherapy sessions that were, given the limitations of a web cam, surprisingly helpful.

The program’s interprofessional health team clearly cares about sharing their expertise and connecting with participants. The screen hardly made a difference, and in some contexts, virtual delivery of the content actually encouraged me to immediately consider how to integrate the information into my life. Moreover, if I needed to take a break, I just turned off the webcam and lay down, where I was able to keep listening and participating without feeling self-conscious the way I would have in a hospital classroom.

Having finished the virtual program, I feel less overwhelmed by my pain and more in control. Most importantly, I’ve benefited so much from simply having my pain seen.” Elizabeth- Virtual 8 week Program (June 2020)

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the Pain Clinic experience. It has re-freshened a desire to get out and enjoy what life has to offer at my own pace, direction and tempo. The Clinic has awakened suppressed enthusiasm for life. A life that includes an acknowledgment of pain and the capabilities to combat the negative association thought process.…and away we go!” A.B. Jan 2020 program graduate

“This clinic and the dedicated people that work here never lay claim to make your life pain free.  But if you have an open mind and a willingness to learn you can learn just how every day life can affect your pain levels.  With the techniques and knowledge learned here, it just might make your day a little easier and a little easier is a good thing on a daily basis.  My deepest thanks and gratitude to the staff.”  Mr. Dale J. Hall, Veteran, completed the 4 week Intensive Program

“The Program helped me with depression, anxiety, stress, and physical ability.  All the staff were great in giving advice and knowledge to us. They were courteous and professional. I was taught more about chronic pain in one month than I have received in four years.”

Cannabis

Cannabis E-Learning Course for individuals with chronic non-cancer pain who are taking cannabis for medical purposes. Registration is FREE.

Course Title: Using Cannabis for Medical Purposes.

This is a 23 lesson course with topics on what is cannabis, cannabis and your body, using cannabis medically, activities of daily living, and conversations with others.

Patient Resources

There are many patient resources available to support you in your journey, including fact sheets on medications and procedures, links to community resources, tai chi videos, and relaxation CDs. Visit our Patient Resources page to learn more.

Research

The Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic is conducting rigourous and high quality research using a large interdisciplinary team of highly skilled and experienced individuals specializing in chronic pain.

In addition to our work at the clinic, our team of physicians and health professionals contribute knowledge to the broader chronic pain community through publications and presentations.

We also engage in ongoing quality improvement to enhance pain services for our patients.

Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test Revised (CUDIT-R) – Study Participation

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to determine whether the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R) accurately screens for cannabis use disorder in a sample of patients with chronic pain who are using cannabis for medical purposes.

Background: When participants in DATACANN were assessed for cannabis use disorder using the CUDIT-R, many participants’ scores indicated a possible cannabis use disorder. This raises important questions about the use of the CUDIT-R for people with chronic pain who are using medicinal cannabis, as several of the questions may increase the possibility of falsely identifying patients who are using cannabis for medical purposes as having a potential cannabis use disorder.

How to Participate: If you are currently taking cannabis and interested in participating, please complete the CUDIT-R survey by going to the link below so we can screen for your eligibility for study participation:

https://chronicpain.mcmaster.ca/surveys/?s=DYHLJJ38LH

If you have any questions about the study or to follow-up on next steps for your participation, please contact our Research Coordinator, Jennifer Anthonypillai, (anthonypij@hhsc.ca).

Click to hear about our projects from our research volunteers


Learn more about current and future research projects:

Research Newsletter January 2022

2021 Annual Research Report

 

 

Self Management Program

Chronic Pain Self Management Workshops for Hamilton Niagara, Haldimand, and Brant LHIN are available. The program is delivered for 2 hours/week over a 6 week period in a community setting. There is no cost to the participant and no referral required. Call to register or register online. Classes are filled on a first come basis to a maximum of 20 participants. View dates and details!

Learning how to manage pain so that you can get on with living a satisfying fulfilling life can represent a daily challenge for those faced with chronic pain.  The Chronic Pain Self Management Program will teach you a variety of tools that can help you meet that challenge.  The research studies found that, on average, people who have taken the program have more vitality, less pain, less dependence on others, improved mental health, and more involved in everyday activities compared to people who have not taken the program.

Events

Check back for upcoming events.

Volunteering

The Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic appreciates our volunteers. They are an integral part of our Program, and their contribution of time and knowledge offered to pain patients each week is greatly valued.

Please visit the volunteering section for further information regarding becoming a volunteer at Hamilton Health Sceinces.

If you are interested in a volunteer position at the MGD Pain Clinic please email us at pain@hhsc.ca or phone 905-521-7931.