Got pain? These ladies can help

Good things are happening at the Algoma Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (Algoma NPLC).

“We had a third nurse practitioner start near the end of November 2016, and we have a fourth NP starting at the end of May,” said Sandra Dereski, Algoma NPLC administrative lead.

The clinic, which opened in 2011, is located on Sault College property at 443 Northern Avenue (but is not affiliated with the college), facing Willow Avenue.

The 2,800 square foot clinic has capacity for four nurse practitioners and 3,200 patients overall.

“It’s good news for us, very exciting news for us and our patients,” Dereski told SooToday.

The clinic currently has 1,600 patients, but will now be taking on more, Dereski said.

“With two more NPs, we’ll be looking to add quite a few more patients over the summer, we’ll target to add another 1,600…it’ll take us some time, but that would be our long term plan for sure.”

It should be noted the clinic is not a walk-in facility, but is a service for patients already registered with the clinic’s nurse practitioners.

Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, with evening clinics scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. a few evenings per month.

Patients are asked to call the clinic at (705) 942-4717 to inquire about evening hours.

In addition, the clinic is getting set to launch a series of chronic disease and chronic pain management meetings.

Many of us have friends or family members battling with pain associated with chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, stroke recovery, dementia, heart disease and many other devastating afflictions.

Beginning May 2, professionals from the Algoma NPLC will be holding a series of weekly sessions for local chronic disease and pain sufferers, designed to help them manage their symptoms and be mentors to fellow pain sufferers.

“They are open to the entire community (not only Algoma NPLC patients)…it’s a free, no cost program for anybody, not just registered patients of the Algoma Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic,” said Sarah Shea, Algoma NPLC registered social worker.

There are still 12 spaces available for the first round of sessions, Algoma NPLC staff said.

The sessions will run from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. each Tuesday at the Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre at 619 Bay Street, with room for eight to 15 participants (those interested must register with the Algoma Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic at 705 942 4717 ext. 3 or online at the clinic's website

The program is designed by Stanford University.

The first six-week series of sessions will address chronic disease self management, the second will deal with chronic pain self management (12 weeks in all).

Participants will learn how to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation, exercise for improving strength, flexibility and endurance, appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals, nutrition, decision making and how to evaluate new treatments.

“We’ve chosen that location (the Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre) simply because of accessibility and because we want to promote the services at the Drop-In Centre…we often think of chronic illness as being associated with people in their 70s, 80s and 90s, but the Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre also offers programs for people 55 and older, so we’re really trying to engage people beginning at that age bracket,” Shea told SooToday.

For that matter, chronic disease and chronic pain self management can, of course, apply to younger people, Shea said.

Adults as young as 18 are also welcome to register for the weekly sessions.

“It applies to anything that’s treatable but not curable, and it also includes mental health,” Shea said.

“Anyone who’s interested, we welcome, as well as loved ones (caregivers).”

How does one manage chronic disease and pain, when medications can only go so far?

“At this clinic we really promote holistic care, it’s not just about medical management of a condition, it’s also about psychological wellness and lifestyle wellness and this group promotes both of those things,” Shea said.

“We want to empower individuals, to have a sense of control over an illness instead of being at the mercy of your illness.”

“We discuss things that people can do at home for no cost, we give free copies of a book (Living a Healthy Life With Chronic Conditions) and an audio relaxation CD that has mindfulness relaxation techniques…a lot of people can’t afford to take yoga or pilates classes,” Shea said.

Caregivers will also be taught these techniques at the sessions, in order to help their ill family members.

“We’ll also talk about diet, exercise and healthy living because of their ties to chronic illness,” said Alaina Harten, Algoma NPLC registered nurse.

The program has been running each year for five years, but now the clinic’s staff want to make a stronger effort to get the word out.

“We have run these sessions in the past, but the clinic is now in our fifth year, and we want to get the word out that it’s not just for nurse practitioner clinic patients,” Dereski said.