Why we exist.
Chronic pain affects almost 3 million Ontarians. It is poorly understood, highly stigmatised, and chronically under-resourced. Care is fragmented across primary care, hospital pain clinics, mental-health services, social services, and a patchwork of community organisations. People in pain spend years navigating that patchwork — usually without a guide.
In 2023, a small group of advocates with personal and professional experiences of pain looked at the gaps and decided to build something. We talked to dozens of people with pain, caregivers, pain clinicians, academics, and members of professional associations to determine the principles and the strategic pillars that would guide the work forward. On September 7, 2023, we incorporated as Pain Ontario Society.
We are board-led and built on a foundation of lived and professional expertise. We work to dismantle stigma, address systemic oppression, amplify the voices of people impacted by pain, and champion compassionate, evidence-based pain care across Ontario.