Centralized Pain Program

Support for Indigenous Peoples

The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca.

  • Indigenous wellness services

    The Indigenous Wellness Team at Providence is available to support Indigenous patients and their families. We are here to coordinate culturally safe wellness supports and services.

Investigation, diagnosis & treatment

The Centralized Pain Program focuses on diagnosing the causes of chronic pain and providing targeted treatments, especially for patients with nerve-related pain that is difficult to manage.

One treatment option is a multi-day, low-dose intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion while staying in the hospital.

During this time, patients receive small amounts of ketamine in a safe and carefully controlled setting. Medicine nurses monitor the infusion to ensure patient safety.

Research has shown low-dose IV ketamine can work quickly to relieve severe pain. Most side effects are mild and short-lived. When used for pain management, low-dose ketamine can also reduce the need for opioids.

Conditions treated at this clinic

Conditions treated include:

  • Central neuropathic pain (e.g.; multiple sclerosis; anesthesia dolorosa; thalamic stroke)
  • Chemo-induced neuropathy
  • Chronic migraine headache, chronic daily persistent headache
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) with or without dystonia.
  • Fibromyalgia/central sensitization syndrome (CSS), and
  • Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g.; traumatic; diabetic; post-herpetic neuralgia / shingles).
     

Last reviewed: April 4, 2025