by: jane stevenson
a new angus reid poll conducted by neupath health — equity owners of 15 pain clinics in ontario and alberta — reveals 55 per cent of canadians experienced worsened pain during this time.
“i was surprised by the number, to be honest,” said grant connelly, ceo of neupath. “i expected there was an increase of pain or a worsening of conditions during the pandemic. i didn’t expect 55 per cent — that was shocking to me. i think that pain and chronic pain — it’s called the silent epidemic for a reason. it really doesn’t get the attention it deserves and it has serious issues for patients. chronic pain patients are twice as likely to commit suicide as non-chronic pain patients.”
health canada recently shared that eight million canadians live with chronic pain and doctors say the increase in worsening pain during the pandemic was due to postponed elective procedures (like hip and knee replacements), no access to in-person treatments, and a decline in mental health.
“it’s really been two pandemics,” said connelly.
“there have been people who have taken advantage of the opportunity to become more active and we see that with bikes being sold out and tennis racquets being sold out. but, conversely, there have been people who have become much more sedentary during the pandemic, adopted worse habits, their diets have worsened. these things contribute to chronic pain, we know that. and then as we start to understand the long-term impacts of covid, we’re starting to see that it has far-reaching consequences and some have been increases in joint pain and headaches which are both chronic pain conditions.”