I am a 73 y.o. male, who was referred to ChangePain by my G.P. for help with lifelong chronic Migraine and more recent acute vertigo. The intake process, beginning with a comprehensive 30 minute interview, followed by an appointment with Founder and director, Dr. Brenda Lau, were unique and above and beyond my experience and expectations. Dr. Lau told me that all of my issues were related and solvable, and that she and her team would not merely treat my symptoms, but use a holistic approach and that if I was committed to my recovery, Dr. Lau and her team would match or exceed that, every step of the way, without giving up. I was not expecting that! The first thing Dr. Lau gave me was hope. I was immediately struck by her genuine passion and determination, to the point of almost finding it overwhelming. I was given access to the whole, closely integrated, multidisciplinary team of like-minded individuals under one roof, and have found a passionate, dedicated, approach to care, that I have not seen anywhere else in our increasingly struggling healthcare system. To date, I have been under their care for 9 months, and have seen significant improvement, including reduced pain and a complete remission of the vertigo, which had claimed my ability to drive, and severely limited my mobility. I continue to progress, and with the help of Dr. Lau and her amazing team, I look forward to living my best life in the future. If I can do this at my age, you can too. Don't hesitate, because as more and more people discover them, it may need some patience to get in, but believe me, it will be worth it. T.E. Machan read more

ChangePain Clinic has caring and professional staff that make you feel at home in their lovely office space The friendly Doctors are highly educated in the latest scientific research, delivering treatments that are life changing. Thank you all for your kindness! Mary Smith read more

Have helped me with chronic back pain. Had four RFL procedures and two Prolo therapy done

I wish I could give 0 stars. This place is horrible. Customer service/intake is useless for mental health. I am diagnosed with Depression and PTSD and they remind me people who don't believe in mental health. They treated me like a toddler. Who asks people with Depression "How do you look when you are sad". Stupidity! Beyond that, their website is terrible; with things leading to nowhere, their intake surveys don't work and they are extremely rude. Do not go if you have any other options. read more

I've been thinking of various ways to describe my experiences with CHANGEpain. Reception, volunteers, some of the doctors have been great. Others not so much. Dr. Max Sun has no bedside manner whatsoever. He comes across as condescending, arrogant, and that you're there wasting his time. My biggest complaint about the program is that it doesn't work for those who are forced to work. 9am - 5pm hours with no treatment options available for those who work during those hours isn't practical. Work is getting mad at me for taking so much time for my medical appointments. Unfortunately, there are some of us in tremendous pain that we've had to try to manage in order to work because this city is so unforgiving. Some of the treatments trigger flare ups which then cause more issues since it's then I'm in no condition to work and have to take time off. Just a heads up--when you're receiving treatments, there is another person in the room who is documenting everything on a computer. It was a bit of a surprise to me when I went in for my first treatment. Still on the fence about concept of the clinic. I just wish more options were available outside of those hours, especially if they require you to come back every 2 weeks. It may just be a 15 minute appointment but considering travel, taking time off work, etc it adds up. read more

Has helped give my life back! Only place in Vancouver that can help treat my complicated chronic pain conditions. I am forever grateful for them and highly recommend! read more

Response to negative comments CANCELLATION FEE.. all specialists have these, my Sept 2021 eye appt has a $200 fee STAIRS..yes and they are steep, walk 10 steps and there is an elevator SCHEDULE RUNNING BEHIND..I have never waited more than 10 minutes.  If a dr takes more than scheduled time with a patient I know they will take extra time when I need it.  I often wait over an hour for my GP appts! MEDITATION..definitely not hooey..this practice has withstood the test of centuries.  It's called a practice because it's hard work and practice is needed NUTRITION TAUGHT BY YOGA INSTRUCTORS..I have done twice weekly yoga with Klara, the only nutrition comment is..have a big glass of water, hydration is important NUTRITION.. is woven into the Empowering and Central Sensitivity sessions as well as Dr Mahal's presentation.  If you want more, see your community dietitian.  The Institute of Holistic Nutrition has a great package for seniors SUPPLEMENTS..those recommended are the same as West Coast Womens' Clinic.  Definitely not fringe science.  Standard American Diet is grossly deficient, we all need help UNANSWERED PHONE CALLS..do as asked, send an email to.. reception@changepain..they are always answered promptly NO CT SCANNER FOR I SITES INJECTIONS..in the past 18 months I have had many I Sites injections, if they had been done via CT Scan I would be "glow in the dark" from radiation! RECORDER PRESENT DURING PROCEDURES..what a great use of time. Nothing is missed as the procedure is dictated in real time and the Dr is immediately ready to see the next patient. POOR CLINIC MANAGEMENT..definitely not true.  Extremely efficient and the efforts made to have the ZOOM GROUP MEDICAL VISITS approved by BCMSP show the commitment by Dr Lau and the team...at no cost to us! CASH COW..not true.  The fees for chiropractor, physio, kinesiology are comparable to what I pay in the community.  I have never been pressured to agree to a procedure that I couldn't afford. NOT BASED ON SCIENCE..not true.  Science is continually changing as more is learned (think ever changing Covid rules).  The evolving science of pain management is well documented. This clinic is a last resort for all of us.  We all come frightened, desperate and angry that we haven't been helped by the medical system.  I am extremely grateful for the efforts of this amazing team. read more

I have been going to Change Pain for years and have always had considerable respect for the Doctors and Staff, but even more so during the difficult covid times when some people are acting entitled and "it's all about me". It would be fabulous if everyone could get an initial appointment immediately and never have to wait long for follow up appointments, but as there are so few chronic pain clinics in the lower mainland and so many more people requiring help each year, the staff at Change Pain are doing great and after all they can't work 24/7. I have never been made to feel undervalued nor condescended too and I have always been made to feel that my input was part of my treatment. They are willing to try different things and think outside the box and offer some courses to help with coping skills. They don't have a set idea that this has to work for you because it worked for others. I'm now on a course of treatment that works for me and I'm very thankful I found the clinic! read more

** I posted this on Facebook, but I am posting it here to make sure nobody has to go through what I went through ** The fact that they told me that I need a therapy that costs $25,000 out of pocket and that I "can't go anywhere else for it" is complete bullshit. You can say whatever you want, it's simply not true. Other things suggested were synthetic cannabis - infamous for completely messing up people and even killing them. They also suggested a drug that I had a severe allergic reaction to. Clearly did not give a crap about me. I will go into further detail. They told me to be on time because they run extremely on schedule, and they were over 40 minutes late. After walking into the sketchy underground office, down a steep flight of stairs, they have you check in and do a huge survey at a standing desk. At a pain clinic? Really? Do you even know your client base? After the survey I sat there for 40 minutes, nobody acknowledging me or anything at all. I genuinely started feeling invisible. I go into the room with the doctor and some woman on a computer. I am told to sit in a chair at the far end of the room. They ask me questions that I had already filled out TWICE now for them. The doctor was cold and unwelcoming. He didn't care I was in pain. He had no emotion. No compassion. I felt like anything I said went in one ear and out the other. They then emailed me a bunch of information that was not discussed with me in the actual appointment. Extremely frustrating. This is a cash cow, cashing in on sick vulnerable persons like myself. You are no better than the guy who raised the prices on life-saving HIV medication because he could. "CHANGEpain," don't bother replying because I don't give a crap about what you have to say. Shame on you. I will not be coming back here and am telling everyone I know to avoid this place like the plague. *Update* They sent me a personal apology which I don't really care to accept, and don't. But seeing as how I have done literally everything left in North America that I can take except this Ketamine treatment... I am considering it again. However, this is also offered at St.Pauls Hospital. I'm going to try to be referred there instead. read more

Unfortunately disappointing after all hype about the clinic. I believe in science, procedures, tests, medications and supplements that have a strong scientific study behind them. I was shocked to find out that suggestions were being made for supplements that do not have adequate studies behind them to manage pain and tests that aren't regulated. I found myself unable to grasp what they could do for me and what they actually do. There was yoga and mindfulness and yoga teachers who they use as nutrition consults (no dietitians). They don't have equipment to do CT guides injections in the clinic, so they couldn't do what I needed and what was successful in Alberta. They offered IMS and trigger point injections and integrative care, which I was very clear that I already have at my integrative care clinic. Dr. Lau didn't read my referral, didn't read my intake questionnaire, which I was told would take 30 minutes and was mandatory and proceeded to send me to a pay per service snake oil MD who wanted to talk about my birth to present and do tests that Naturopaths do. I felt like I might as well go and buy some essential oils and then I'd be at the same spot. Dr. Lau also spent 30 minutes patronizing me on my behavior and how I apparently made staff feel uncomfortable. Never addressing the failure of her own staff. I would call periodically to check on my status on the cancellation list to be told I wasn't on a cancellation list. My MD would call and put me on a cancellation list and let me know and then I would call again and was told I wasn't on one. This continued 3-4 times until finally they scheduled an appointment on short notice. They were sure to tell me that this was an immense imposition and that I should be grateful that they cancelled "a bunch of patients" to prioritize me. In the same call I was being steam rolled at every opportunity she had. I was quite tearful and emotional because the conversation was traumatic. The next phone call I had with Dr. Lau she accused me of being angry, told me what I need, what I should do and what would help without knowing my symptoms, my activity level or what my goals were. When I tried to express that she told me that I was too angry and I needed to rein it in. I explained that of course I am angry, you have decided everything without patient input and without any background or assessment. She insisted that I do the groups which I signed up for to appease her. The group I did with Dr. Perel-Winkler started off with meditation. Absolutely ridiculous. Then she encouraged a stool test that naturopaths do, that the head of GI in BC said not to do because it isn't regulated. She also spoke against the FODMAP diet which is well studied and recognized claiming she didn't like it. She suggested people get their nutrition advice from the yoga teacher at the clinic. Maybe this clinic is helpful if you believe in holistic essential oil treatment, but I don't. Maybe it's only helpful for people with Fibromyalgia. Definitely not for someone with arthritis and a systemic disease who needs actual joint injections, joint aspiration, spinal injections and real prescriptions. Overall it was a terrible experience and I have never felt so vulnerable, dismissed and disrespected by a medical doctor. I also made it clear that I had a huge distrust for doctors due to a trauma ongoing childhood trauma with a GP and medical racism. This only added to the medical trauma and further isolated me from trusting any physicians but my family doctor. I told her about This awful experience as well as my integrative care clinic. I also spent time in counseling unpacking this incident. read more

Change Pain has been around for two years and is one of the few pain treatment clinics that doesn't turn to pharmaceutical drugs, or marijuana to treat pain. I like their scientific approach to pain treatment and that they focus on both the mental and physical side of chronic pain (without telling you it's all in your head). When they're on the ball, Change Pain is great and shows a lot of promise as a pain treatment clinic. I'm only giving them two out of five stars because, due to their lack of organisation, they have not lived up to their claim that a patient's pain will improve, or that a treatment plan will be in place, after the first set of treatments. Their 'needling' treatments are new to me. It's not quite acupuncture, but called dry needling, and targets the muscles and fascia beneath the skin. It seems promising, but I haven't had any lasting results yet. Everyone is very friendly and knowledgeable. Really, my only complaint is their lack of organisation. I was supposed to get six treatment sessions, but only got five. One of which was an orientation seminar. Another appointment was scheduled wrong so I was squeezed in last second with a different doctor, so really I only got three sessions with my scheduled doctor before I was up for reassessment. Dr. Hodgson and I both agreed that we were still figuring out the best treatment for me and told me to book more appointments for the future. However, when I went to book more appointments with Dr. Hodgson I was told her schedule was unavailable and that I would be put on her cancellation list. Also, that I should call back in a week and see if Dr. Hodgson's schedule had been updated yet. They did offer to put me with a new doctor, but then I'd be having to familiarize that new doctor with my symptoms all over again. read more

Several months ago, my pain was intense enough that I couldn't sit or stand more than 15 minutes, I had poor sleep and can't lift anything more than a couple of pounds. After intensive and regular treatments from Dr. Lau and Dr Goddard along with the active Rehabilitation from Stephan and Courtney , I am now able to do some travelling and move my luggage around. CHANGEpain has made this all possible for me. I also attended their pain management program which made me more aware of what my body needs , in terms of nutrition, sleep and relaxation. I will continue on with my treatments . It is a total commitment on my part and some treatments are not covered by my medical plans but I can't really put a price tag on my health and well-being. Thank you very much CHANGEpain!! read more

I cannot say enough about how amazing this clinic and all of its fantastic Staff are. I literally would not be on this planet still if it wasn't for them. It can take time to get onboard with them, because they are so needed and in demand, but they are DEFINITELY worth the wait. Since going under their incredible care I finally have actual diagnoses and program and treatment plans. They literally have saved my life. read more

I have referred a number of clients over the years. ChangePain has been a lifeline for every one of them. Excellent care, evidence-based, multidisciplinary and humane approach. Treats the whole person. I highly recommend ChangePain. read more

I went today for my second appointment. Because of traffic I was 5 minutes late. I was informed that the Doctor expects punctuality and left for lunch. It didn't seem to matter that I had spent 40 minutes driving to the appointment, apparently I needed to be taught a lesson. I cancelled all future appointments. read more

The doctors are great and some relief is possible with the injection treatment they offer, but the clinic is mismanaged. The wait time varies from a few months to over a year. Clinic managers appear to have very little sensitivity to the patient group they are dealing with by adhering to a $75 fine for appointments cancelled within 24 hours. That is three times the cancellation fee of GPs in medical clinics in Vancouver. The doctors at the clinic are also (or were) GPs.The staff at the front desk is frequently impolite. read more

Horrible service for people in horrific bed ridden suffering! Doctors refusing to do treatment when it has been done before by other doctors, cost of receiving reports when there is only 10-12 pages and still waiting 1 month or longer to receive reports. The quality of care is poor for people, including myself have mentioned how we are treated as a number. Dr. Beckman and Brenda Lau closing cases without even completing the full set of treatments as mentioned to patients and discharging patients and on and on and on the issues goes! Dr. Brenda Lau does not care for patients. I go in for the first level of treatment with Dr. Lam, receiving trigger point and it does nothing. Brenda Lau then DISCHARGES me! I was told by Dr. Lam that I would be sent to ISite, but I never got in! It took MONTHS to get Brenda Lau on the phone to get her to listen to one doctor to finally accept me back, but only to not deal with my core issue of my L1, L2 ( I had for 25 years) but instead have all these different radiologist and anesthesiologist doctors put freezing from my T10 to S2, but not my L1, L2. When I asked why they could not do it, they said they were told not to treat this area, when there should of been no problem since I have had L1, L2 in trigger point and through a physiatrist before but too many years ago. I need the Ultrasound ISites diagnosed test in my L1 and L2 so I can cut the nerve (rhizotomy). I asked them why they would not do L1 and L2 and no solid response and even when the family doctors call to ask Brenda Lau, she does not call back. It took MONTHS to get her to call back. I went to my last appointment in July 2016. I saw Dr. Berkman in June 2016 and he told the radiologist and clinic typist in the room, that the last two were not diagnostic appointments! But what is even more troubling is that in the last appointment, the doctors refused to give me NOTHING! I went all the way to Oakridge and walked out without any treatment! I walked in asking for my L1, L2 every since the beginning of my first visit in October 2015 (there is no clinical findings to why the L1, L2 should not be treated with local anesthesia) The older caucasian doctor say they wont treat me for they done everything and dont want to try any more places, not even my core issue I had for 25 years! They were suppose to do my neck but instead AGAIN CLOSED MY CASE! Dr. Brenda Lau use to work in IV katamine clinic, but she is on leave of absence. I am stuck in the RED TAPE of the medical system and can't get surgery (which is a 5 year waiting list at St. Paul's Hospital already and the procedures needs to be repeated for the nerves grow back within 2 years and the waiting list is getting longer) for rhizotomy because there is no other public medical system that is covered by Medical Service Plan to pay for these tests on sick patients and don't have funds to pay for private clinics, so now people like myself ( and I am sure others) have no recourse to what to do next except get doctors to call Brenda Lau, AGAIN! read more

I have been seeing various Dr's at the Change Pain clinic as I have degenerative disc disease that flares up & becomes very painful. The Dr's have tried various treatments on me to see if it would lessen my pain. When this was not effective they did not give up on me but are currently trying a new needling treatment. I have already had some relief from the pain! The head of Change Pain Clinic is a wonderful & caring Dr by the name of Dr Brenda Lau. She is both very professional & compassionate. She truly wants to help her patients & will find a treatment that will work if possible. We need more facilities like this for people that suffer chronic pain. There are not enough clinics that specialize in pain. More funding is especially needed from our government as it will be so beneficial for so many in need of pain relief. I am grateful that Dr Lau has accepted me as her patient & keeps on searching for a solution to my back issues. She devotes long hours to doing research to find a way to eradicate her patients pain. With more funding, additional Dr's & specialists could ease the work load that she carries. These services are much needed & with more funding, more patients can be helped. To get this kind of care in a hospital takes a long, long time & in the meantime patients health is being compromised with little to look forward to but more pain. I wish that government would understand how important these services are & that they are vital in todays health care. Change Pain Clinic works as a team & together they will give you the best care possible. read more

This clinic is what most clinics need to be. It's not just a prescription pad office but a health care team that looks at your overall health. I had no problems getting appointments that I needed to get. At times it was hard to contact the front desk but you will quickly see how busy they are with patients. At times you had to wait but I don't know what Doctors office you don't. I would rather they take the time to treat me and answer questions than to dismiss me to maintain the time. In terms of treatment, once I sustained an injury, they got me in within a few days. Not only did they look at my injury but also my overall health. They got my pain score from 10 down to 5 within a couple of days. They got me on a physio plan to maintain strength. They looked at my overall health with blood tests to show me that I was on a fast track to diabetes, cardiac issues and general inflammation. After seeing them for 8 weeks, my pain went to zero, regained my strength with the physio and chiropractor reccommendations and I have lost 20 pounds. I can't say enough about Dr. Lau and Dr. Wright. Amazing job. read more

Change pain did that exactly. 40 years of lower back pain and a 10 years of shoulder pain were 95 % relieved now going on 5 years by the masterful hands of doctor Lam. Short on conversation but so full of needling experience . Really depends on motivation. Some of the procedures are uncomfortable. If you are tired of having to endure pain and tried a lot of other things or none at all, change pain definetly can work as it worked for me . You have to find what works for you. The people at change pain have the latest techniques in pain management and are covered if you are referred by a doctor. Most doctors will do this for you as they want you to be better. A good specialist will tell you if you have neuro- muscular pain or something that might respond to medication. It is not for everyone but well worth a shot to feel better and in less pain and loss of hope. Thank you change pain. My advice is not to worry about visits, reports , beliefs you have told yourself, the staff , other people . This is about your journey , take a chance for change. read more

Pain is awful, chronic pain has been even worse for me. CHANGEpain has helped immensely for me to learn how to cope and manage my pain. From reception, to the schedulers, nurses to the doctors my ongoing experiences have been very informative, and all around helpful. The staff has made it possible for me to see progress and future function where I did not see it before. I really appreciate the continuing treatment and care. read more

Dr Brenda Lau is an amazing pain specialist she understands pain in a way that no Dr i have ever met does . She was my physician in Surrey as well as the pain clinic before opening change Pain. She listens & has many options to treat pain at the clinic ( various needle techniques including Trigger Point injections. ) change pain offers various mind/body connection help with pain including classes on varying things from yoga to diet and when required medications are prescribed . The doctors at this clinic understand pain and listen . Then goal is to help you get rid of pain or at least reduce it via various techniques and sometimes medication if needed ...this is not a clinic that just hands out drugs. Their wait time is far shorter than other pain clinics I have been to & I can't say enough positive about how this clinic tries to change pain And help others using a wide array of ideas. I am am so appreciative to Dr Lau and change Pain. I highly recommend Change Pain. read more