Transforming Pain Management
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is an approach that helps individuals with chronic pain retrain their nervous system to reduce or eliminate pain by changing how the brain and body interpret pain signals. It is based on the understanding that in certain chronic pain conditions, pain persists not because of ongoing tissue damage but due to a sensitized nervous system that continues to signal danger even when the body is physically safe. Through movement, education, and graded exposure to previously painful activities, PRT aims to restore normal sensory processing, reduce protective responses, and promote functional recovery
Tell Us What You Think About This Website and Resources Provided
This website was created as part of a research project to increase awareness, impact, and uptake of Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) among healthcare providers and patients in Saskatchewan.
If you are a patient or healthcare provider, we invite you to evaluate our knowledge mobilization campaign by completing a brief, anonymous online survey. The campaign includes this website, an educational video, a podcast episode, recorded webinars, and other educational resources.
Please take a few minutes to review the materials on this site and then come back to complete the 5-minute survey. Your feedback is important and will help us improve future knowledge-sharing initiatives.
If you have questions or would like more information about this project, please reach out to Kayla Cropper, Anesthesia Resident Investigator, at kayla.cropper@usask.ca
This study has been approved by the University of Saskatchewan Behavioural Research Ethics Board
PODCAST EPISODE
Episode 92 – Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
Learn more about Pain Reprocessing Therapy from practitioners and patients in Saskatchewan.
RECORDED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Anesthesia Grand Rounds: Episode 62 – Pain Reprocessing Therapy: A New Approach to Treating Chronic Pain
Learn more about the neuroscience of Pain Reprocessing Therapy from a medical grand rounds presented in May, 2025. This video is produced by the Airway Breathing Conversation Podcast, created by the Provincial Department of Anesthesia at the University of Saskatchewan
The Science Behind PRT
Neuroplastic Pain
Neuroplastic pain refers to a type of chronic pain that results from altered perception of pain in the absence of ongoing tissue damage or inflammation. Neuroplastic pain occurs due to changes in the way the nervous system processes incoming signals coming from the body, leading to persistent and recurring pain sensations that are disproportionate to the known and identifiable underlying tissue damage or inflammation. This is an organic phenomena in the sense that there are central nervous system changes in pain signal reception, transmission, and processing.
Symptom Reappraisal
Symptom reappraisal incorporates many strategies for individuals to increase a sense of safety with their symptoms, including safety messages, affirmations, breathing techniques, leaning into positive sensations and experiences, joy/fun, somatic tracking, etc.
Pain Recovery
A landmark 2021 study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that 66% of PRT participants were pain-free or nearly pain-free after treatment.
Landmark 2021 study from the University of Colorado Boulder
There is ongoing body of research on PRT that is constantly evolving.
Understanding Pain
Explore these resources to improve your understanding of pain.
The book helps you:
- Understand how the brain can unintentionally ‘learn’ chronic pain
- Turn off pain signals that have become ‘stuck’
- Use revolutionary techniques to break the cycle of fear that causes chronic pain
- Develop long-term strategies for living pain-free
Many people suffer needlessly from pain diagnosed as migraines, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, or chronic neck, back, abdominal, and pelvic pain, when the real cause is Mind Body Syndrome (also known as neuroplastic pain). Using cutting-edge research, this book demonstrates that the underlying reason for much chronic pain is learned neural circuits in the brain. Dr. Schubiner has used this new understanding to develop a self-guided program to re-program your brain and actually reverse pain. Several research studies now support the effectiveness of this program. The program in this book gives a wide range of information to help you assess the causes of your pain and learn how to rewire neural circuits in the brain to reverse it.
The Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS) provides evidence-based resources to help patients and clinicians understand, assess, and treat chronic symptoms influenced by neuroplastic processes. The website brings together recovery tools, condition guides, research, practitioner resources, courses, community programs, and a directory of clinicians experienced in neuroplastic symptom treatment. It also offers a free newsletter that provides updates on new resources, upcoming programs, educational opportunities, community developments, and events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PRT suitable for all types of chronic pain?
PRT is most effective for neuroplastic pain — pain that persists due to learned neural pathways rather than ongoing structural damage. A healthcare provider can help determine if PRT is appropriate for your situation.
How long does treatment typically take?
Most PRT programs involve 8–12 sessions over several weeks. Many patients begin experiencing relief within the first few sessions as they learn to reinterpret pain signals.
Do I need to stop other treatments to try PRT?
No. PRT can complement other treatments. Many patients continue physical therapy or medication management while learning PRT techniques. Make sure to discuss any changes with your healthcare team.
Are there PRT providers in Saskatchewan?
Yes, there are PRT practitioners in Saskatchewan. You can find a list of trained providers and connect with pain specialists at the bottom of this webpage or through the PRT Practitioner website directory {insert link}
How does PRT work with the other Chronic Pain therapies offered in Saskatchewan?
Pain reprocessing therapy is one form of therapy that can benefit many people. It can work together with the many excellent therapies and courses offered in Saskatchewan, such as those provided by the Regina Chronic Pain Clinic and local Chronic Pain Workshops.
What is neuroplastic pain?
Neuroplastic pain refers to a type of chronic pain that results from altered perception of pain in the absence of ongoing tissue damage or inflammation. Neuroplastic pain occurs due to changes in the way the nervous system processes incoming signals coming from the body, leading to persistent and recurring pain sensations that are disproportionate to the known and identifiable underlying tissue damage or inflammation. This is an organic phenomena in the sense that there are central nervous system changes in pain signal reception, transmission, and processing.
Neuroplastic pain is also known as nociplastic pain, centralized pain, primary pain, or neural circuit pain.
Find a Practitioner
Find trained Pain Reprocessing Therapy practitioners in Saskatchewan. Contact a provider below to learn more about PRT and schedule a consultation.
Scroll down to see an alphabetical list of practitioners who have agreed to be listed on this website.
Dr. Trista Friedrich
Doctoral Psychologist · Oracle Mental Health Centre
Saskatoon, SK
(306) 244-9944
Currently not taking new patients
Doctoral Psychologist · Oracle Mental Health Centre
Saskatoon, SK
(306) 244-9944
Currently not taking new patients
Anne-Marie Graham
Physiotherapist · Venture Rehabilitation Sciences Group
Saskatoon, SK
(306) 655-1962
Physiotherapist · Venture Rehabilitation Sciences Group
Saskatoon, SK
(306) 655-1962
Dr. Melissa Holowaty
Physician · Dr. Holowaty Medicine
Saskatoon, SK
(888) 266-2101
Currently not taking new patients
Physician · Dr. Holowaty Medicine
Saskatoon, SK
(888) 266-2101
Currently not taking new patients
Lisa Markham
Chronic Pain and Mental Health Counsellor Registered Social Worker · Haas Health
Regina, SK
(306) 559-6469
Chronic Pain and Mental Health Counsellor Registered Social Worker · Haas Health
Regina, SK
(306) 559-6469
Krista Smith
Registered Psychologist · East Plains Counselling & Assessment
Emerald Park, SK
(306) 531-3011
Registered Psychologist · East Plains Counselling & Assessment
Emerald Park, SK
(306) 531-3011
Dr. Kevin Wong
Physician · Department of Anesthesiology U of S
Saskatoon, SK
(306) 655-1183
Currently not taking new patients
Physician · Department of Anesthesiology U of S
Saskatoon, SK
(306) 655-1183
Currently not taking new patients
