What is TAPMI
TAPMI is an interprofessional clinic with access to a variety of specialists, so patients see more than one healthcare practitioner at different locations.
In the TAPMI model, your primary care provider plays an active role in your treatment. The TAPMI team will provide assessment and a care plan for your chronic pain problem. In some cases, treatment may be initiated by TAPMI, however, once you have completed treatment and are stabilized (6– 24 months) you will be returned to your primary care provider for ongoing care, including medication management, with our continued support. TAPMI physicians and nurse practitioners will not take over prescribing permanently.
Collaborative Care
Throughout the program we will be collaborating with you and your community providers, updating them on your progress within our program and ensuring a seamless transition and discharge of care.
Treatment Options
The treatment and management of pain is complex and requires a wide range of programs and services to help you function and improve your quality of life. At TAPMI, we aim to promote self-efficacy around caring for your health, with the goal of improving your ability to work and/or function at home and to help with managing your pain.
As a patient of TAPMI, you may be offered a wide variety of medical treatments as well as interdisciplinary support services that are fully funded by OHIP. These may include one or more of the options listed to the right.
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Self-management education
Chronic Pain education is the foundation of all pain treatments. It provides you with an understanding of how chronic pain works in your body and will give you techniques to deal with the impact of pain in your life including: frustrations, exercising, nutrition, pacing activity, and how to evaluate which treatment options are best for you. TAPMI has created a self-help module to help you with strategies for managing your pain.
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Physical therapy
The TAPMI Physiotherapy Program is located at Women’s College Hospital and is targeted toward helping individuals develop a self-management plan towards enhancing one’s physical function, mobility, and overall quality of life.
Given the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, and that some of our staff have been re-deployed to assist with Assessment and Vaccination Centres, please expect significant wait-times with access to our program.
Please refer to the TAPMI Resources below for a list of self-help modules and strategies for managing your pain:
Disclaimer: The information provided does not replace physical therapy or exercises prescribed by your physician. It does not replace or qualify as medical advice. Check with your health-care provider before starting a new exercise program such as this one.
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Interventional therapy
Certain types of pain may be relieved with interventional therapies. These therapies use techniques such as joint or trigger point injections, nerve blocks, and nerve freezing to manage the source of the pain. These therapies do not work for everyone and they work best when they are used along with other pain management strategies, including counselling and physical therapy. A 50% reduction in pain from interventional therapy is considered successful.
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Pharmacist consultation
When you meet with the TAPMI pharmacist you will have an opportunity to discuss in detail your experiences with your current pain medications by evaluating their usefulness, minimizing side effects and improving their safety. The goal of our pharmacy services is to improve your pain management and function through optimization of your pain medications. The pharmacist will work closely with TAPMI team members as well as with your primary care provider to help achieve this goal.
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Medication management
Medications can sometimes help chronic pain, but they are not a cure. Medications work best when they are used along with other types of treatment including counselling and physical therapy. TAPMI can help manage pain with new medication options and help safely wean off opioid medications.
Get care now!
TAPMI has partnered to create the Power Over Pain Portal. Funded by Health Canada, the Power Over Pain Portal offers rapid access to free, science-backed online resources for the management of pain. As a one-stop-shop for pain management, the range of resources available include articles, videos, podcasts, self-directed courses, and peer support. You can also create an account and track your symptoms and progress over time. If you are part of the 1 in 5 Canadians who lives with pain, this portal is designed for you!
Your First Appointment
Your first appointment may be with any of the health professionals or TAPMI partner clinics. Not all patients will see a physician at their first appointment, as you will see the best care provider for your condition. You may also be seen by a resident physician or health discipline student.