Chronic Pain and Later Life

Chronic pain is one of the most common challenges we encounter. It is estimated that more than half of older adults live with chronic pain — and it is frequently normalized as an inevitable part of aging, leaving many people without adequate support or effective treatment.

The impact of chronic pain extends far beyond physical discomfort — it can affect mood, sleep, energy, and concentration. It can limit mobility and independence, strain relationships, and lead to social withdrawal and isolation.

But chronic pain is not something you simply have to endure. At Alder Therapy, we specialize in supporting clients living with chronic pain — addressing not only the physical pain itself, but the emotional, relational, and practical dimensions of life that it touches.

Treatment for Chronic Pain

  • Chronic pain- also known as persistent pain or neuroplastic pain- refers to physical pain that persists beyond the expected period of healing, often lasting months or years.

    We typically think of physical pain as the result of an injury or structural abnormality, but neuroscience research has revealed that chronic pain is more often caused by neuropathways in the brain. These pathways may have developed at the time of an injury, but remain active long after the body has healed.

    This does not mean that the pain is "in your head" in the imaginary sense— anyone who has lived with chronic pain knows how very real it is. But recognizing chronic pain as a neurological process has given us new and effective ways to treat it.

  • PRT is an evidence-based treatment developed specifically for neuroplastic pain. It draws on neuroscience, cognitive behavioural therapy, and somatic awareness to help clients understand the neurophysiology of their pain and develop tools to alleviate it.

  • EAET is another evidence-based treatment that addresses the role of emotions in chronic pain. EAET helps clients identify and express difficult emotions — including grief, anger, and shame — that may be contributing to their pain. Expressing these emotions in a therapeutic setting can lead to significant reductions in pain and improved overall wellbeing.

  • PRT or EAET may be helpful if you are living with chronic pain that has not responded to other treatments, or where no clear structural cause has been identified.

    Persistent pain is associated with many common conditions, including chronic back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, migraines, and others.

    If you are unsure whether these approaches are right for you, we are happy to discuss it during a complimentary consultation.

Healing from Chronic Pain:

A 6-Week Series

Chronic pain can impact every aspect of life — often leading to fear, frustration, isolation, and hopelessness. This six-week group program is designed to help participants better understand the neurophysiology of pain and develop practical tools to reduce symptoms and reclaim a sense of wellbeing.

Grounded in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), the program combines neuroscience education, somatic awareness, emotional regulation, and behavioural change. Rather than focusing solely on eliminating pain, we encourage participants to move toward meaningful living — even when symptoms fluctuate. The group format offers the added benefit of connection — a space where participants can feel genuinely seen by others who know firsthand the challenges of living with chronic pain.

Want to Learn More?

If you are living with chronic pain and would like to learn more about our services, we invite you to contact us for a complimentary consultation.