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Corporate Workshops

Practical pain self-management for employees during the workday

How much productivity are your employees losing due to chronic pain? ​

Person with back pain sitting at a round table in discussion with 2 other people.

Time away for pain-related appointments (one form of absenteeism) is easy to see. Less visible is presenteeism: an employee stays at work, but pain makes it harder to work effectively. They may need to change position repeatedly, find it harder to concentrate, or use much of their energy just getting through the day. That can affect both their work and what they have left for life outside it.

Employers often recognize the value of ergonomic assessments, equipment and access to treatment. These supports can help, yet employees may still experience pain during ordinary tasks. My workshops add practical education about noticing and responding to changes throughout the workday. They can support employees before concerns become more disruptive, as well as those who continue to struggle despite the supports they already use.

My workshops aim to help employees make more informed choices about how they work, manage symptoms and preserve energy for the activities that matter to them.

Recovery Can Happen While Working

Many people keep working until pain or fatigue becomes difficult to manage. By then, a quick stretch, change of position or short break may not be enough to help them settle.

My workshops introduce two concepts I use in my practice:

​“Active-Working,” which involves working in a way that requires greater physical, cognitive or emotional effort.

“Working-Recovery,” which involves working in a way that the body can recover while continuing to be productive.

"Working-Recovery" does not mean stopping completely or ignoring pain. It might mean listening to the signals from the body so they can change the environment, change the task, or change how or what they are doing in that moment. 

Employees learn to look for earlier changes in tension, posture, breathing, concentration or discomfort, then consider what adjustment makes sense for them and their work.

Workshop Topics

Workshops draw from common themes, and are then individualized for the needs of each organization.

Workshops may explore:

  • recognizing early signs that pain or fatigue is increasing;

  • balancing demanding work with opportunities for recovery during the day;

  • testing positioning, support and movement options instead of looking for one “perfect” posture;

  • considering seating changes employees can try within their existing setup;

  • using alternative inputs, voice dictation or voice commands to reduce keyboard and mouse demands; or

  • developing responses when pain escalates across a workday.

There is no standard set of instructions for every employee. A strategy that helps one person may need to be changed or set aside for another. The workshop complements other treatments, ergonomic equipment or accommodations employees already use to help them recognize and act early on their own body signals.

How It Works

Two people on cellphones communicating

Before the session, I communicate briefly with the employer to identify the concern(s) you want to address, who will attend and what you hope participants will learn. I then choose examples specific to your setting and activities to suit your employees’ needs.

Sessions typically include both education and participation. Employees may reflect on their own work patterns, consider what happens before symptoms increase and practise applying a concept to a familiar task. The goal is for participants to leave with practical ideas they can test and adapt, while managers gain a clearer understanding of how work demands and symptom management may interact.

Formats and Booking

Workshops are available virtually or in person as a one-hour Lunch 'n Learn or lecture, a half-day workshop or a full-day workshop. Longer formats allow more time for discussion and guided participation.

After we determine the theme, audience and format, I will provide a fixed workshop fee. Travel costs for in-person delivery are quoted separately.

If chronic pain is affecting your employees’ workdays, contact me to discuss how my approach and which workshop format may fit.

People around a table at a workshop

Sample Workshop Format:

Onsite Lunch ‘n Learn (50-60 minutes)

  • Introduce relevant pain science and why pain can build during an ordinary workday.

  • Lead a brief interoception activity to increase body awareness of early signals.

  • Work through pain intensity graphs together.

  • Explain Active-Working and Working-Recovery and co-operatively develop examples relevant to your workplace.

  • Help participants identify a task they do regularly, what body signals to watch for and develop an adjustment they could try today.

  • Questions and closing.

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