In this episode of the Pain Talk podcast, Maureen Allen explores why pain medications sometimes stop working for people with chronic pain. She explains that chronic pain is not simply a signal from an injured body part but a complex, multidimensional experience created by the nervous system and the brain’s interpretation of potential danger. Over time, the nervous system can adapt and become more sensitive, essentially “learning” pain and remaining on high alert. Because of these changes, medications are not just addressing a simple pain signal—they are trying to influence an entire nervous system process that has been reshaped by ongoing pain, which can make traditional pain treatments less effective.

This episode of Pain Talk marks the return of the podcast after a long hiatus, with host Dr. Maureen Allen introducing the show’s renewed focus on honest conversations about chronic pain. Drawing on her decades of healthcare experience—from nursing to family medicine, emergency medicine, and palliative care in rural Nova Scotia—Dr. Allen shares how her work led her to specialize in chronic pain management. She discusses the evolving science of pain, explaining how modern research is shifting our understanding away from purely structural causes toward changes in the nervous system. The episode explores one of the most common questions patients ask—whether chronic pain can be cured—and highlights the growing evidence that some chronic pain can be cured, reduced, or better managed, offering hope and a framework for future discussions on the podcast.

In this episode we talk to Dr. Tina Korownyk about the PEER Simplified Guidelines for pain management.

Today we are delighted to be joined by Dr. Jen Potter to speak about a recent body of work done by her and her colleagues, primarily exploring the evidence of psychological interventions specifically looking at mindfulness based stress reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy in the management of lower back pain.

Jen is a practicing family physician and assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Manitoba, participating in clinical and academic teaching as well as research, quality improvement, and faculty development. She is also a member of the PEER (Patients, Experience, Evidence, Research) team.

Wellness Together – https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA

Pain Canada – https://www.paincanada.ca/

Wellness Together – https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA

Pain Canada –https://www.paincanada.ca/ 

Join us for the conclusion of our 2 part series talking to Dr. Cecily Havert. She is a primary care practitioner based in North Virginia, and she brings her extensive background in both preventative health and mental health into the discussion about chronic pain, having a special interest in those who have had a lived experience with it.

Join us for the first of a 2 part series talking to Dr. Cecily Havert.  She is a primary care practitioner based in North Virginia, and she brings her extensive background in both preventative health and mental health into the discussion about chronic pain, having a special interest in those who have had a lived experience with it.

Today we continue talking to Dr. Sam Hickcox – Medical Director and Shelley LeDrew – Program Lead of the Atlantic Mentorship Network for Pain and Addition as they talk about how the Network is improving the care of those living with pain or addiction in Atlantic Canada.  https://www.atlanticmentorship.com/

Today we’re talking to Dr. Sam Hickcox – Medical Director and Shelley LeDrew – Program Lead of the Atlantic Mentorship Network for Pain and Addition as they talk about how the Network is improving the care of those living with pain or addiction in Atlantic Canada.  https://www.atlanticmentorship.com/