It is estimated that up to 29% of Canadians experience chronic pain. Of these, 80% of them report their pain as moderate to severe.

With a broad range of pharmaceuticals available, why are patients suffering?

"Pain is poorly managed in Canada…Reasons for this include under-recognition of the problem, lack of education in pain assessment and treatment in graduating health care professionals, and grossly inadequate funding for research regarding pain.  Although we have the knowledge and technology, Canadians cannot be sure they will receive adequate or appropriate treatment for pain ... "¹

Healthcare professionals are frustrated they are not better able to help their patients. A recent survey of physicians treating pain found that 83% believe there is a need for new and innovative pain medications that don’t have the side effects of currently available medicines.

Transdermal pain management (applied through the dermis or skin) allows for the use of less medication and can be very effective at relieving chronic pain from:

• arthritis
• fibromyalgia
• diabetic neuropathy
• post-hepatic neuralgia
• musculoskeletal pain (back, knee, hip)
• migraine
• cancer pain.

Fast onset of action and fewer side effects are just a few of the benefits of transdermal pain management.

The NutriChem Approach to Pain

If you are suffering from chronic pain, we can help in several ways:

• Book a pain management consult with Kent MacLeod in our biomedical clinic. Kent will evaluate your symptoms, discuss the severity and frequency of your pain, and if appropriate, provide you with recommendations to take to your doctor for customized transdermal pain medication.
• Conduct a MedsChek – If you have three prescriptions on file at Nutri-Chem, you are entitled to a free* MedsCheck appointment to discuss and review your medications with one of our pharmacists. This 20 to 30 minute meeting will ensure that you are using your medications appropriately and offer suggestions on how to maximize your pain relief. *A current OHIP card is required for this service.
• Take a copy of the Pain Management Report (see right side panel) to your doctor and let them know you are interested in trying customized pain management. With your permission, we would be happy to work with your physician to determine the most appropriate transdermal application for you.

Living with chronic pain has devastating social, economic and personal costs. To learn more out how transdermal pain medication can benefit you, please call our clinic at 613-721-3669 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

1. Lynch, ME (2011) The need for a Canadian pain strategy. Pain Res Manage 16(2): 77-80.

Additional References:

Moulin, DE et al. (2002) Chronic pain in Canada - prevalence, treatment, impact and the role of opioid analgesia. Pain Res Manag 7(4): 179-84.

Let’s Talk Pain Coalition (2008) Pain Survey. http://www.letstalkpain.org/media_room/press.html

Van Den Kerkhof, EG et al. (2003) Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study Research Group The impact of sampling and measurement on the prevalence of self-reported pain in Canada. Pain Res Manage 8:157–63.

Tripp, DA et al. (2006) Prevalence and determinants of pain and pain-related disability in urban and rural settings in southeastern Ontario. Pain Res Manag 11(4): 225-33.