Pain Science Podcast

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, speaks with Sarah Conover, PT, MHS, CHC, a vestibular therapist with a background in treating conditions related to anxiety, dizziness, and pain. Sarah shared her journey, starting from her early career in the late 1980s, working in acute neuro care, to her current practice, which focuses on chronic vestibular issues. She highlighted the evolution of vestibular therapy and the increasing recognition of conditions like vestibular migraine, 3PD (persistent postural perceptual dizziness), and Mal de Débarquement syndrome. We delved into the intricate connections between the vestibular system and mental health, discussing how dizziness can trigger anxiety and other autonomic responses due to the close interplay between the vestibular system, the autonomic nervous system, and brain structures like the amygdala and hypothalamus. Sarah emphasized the importance of a holistic approach in treatment, incorporating mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies to help patients manage their symptoms. Sarah also shared her personal journey with anxiety and how it has influenced her practice. She employs a range of tools, including mindfulness practices, thought reframing, and expressive writing, to assist her patients in developing a sense of safety and acceptance regarding their symptoms. We also touched on the role of spirituality in healing, with Sarah explaining how she gently explores this aspect with her patients to support their overall well-being. To learn more about Sarah’s work, visit her at dizzycoach.com Visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com for more information and CEU courses on pain and mental health for physical therapists. Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO, Integrative Pain Science Institute

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, speaks with Dr. Sarah Case-Morris, assistant professor at the University of Michigan–Flint, to explore how mental health, pain science, and health and wellness promotion are being woven into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Dr. Case-Morris shares her inspiring journey from teaching assistant to shaping the next generation of PTs, and we dive into her research on how early-career therapists—trained in the biopsychosocial model—approach pain and mental health differently than those rooted in a more traditional biomedical lens. We also talk about the real-world challenges of implementing clinical practice guidelines, especially when it comes to screening for psychosocial risk factors in back pain. Sarah gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how she’s integrating pain science, mental health, and health and wellness into her teaching—right as CAPTE requirements are evolving to highlight the mental, psychological, and emotional dimensions of health. This is an important conversation about the future of physical therapy education and how preparing students with a whole-person approach can change the way we care for individuals and communities. For more information, visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses on pain and mental health, visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course/ Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO, Integrative Pain Science Institute

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, speaks with physiotherapist and researcher Tash Pocovi, PhD about her groundbreaking study in the Lancet on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an individualized, progressive walking and education intervention for the prevention of low back pain recurrence. The trial, known as the Walk Back Trial, involved 24 physiotherapists across Australia who delivered an individualized and progressive walking program along with education. The participants, who were mostly sedentary, were given walking prescriptions tailored to their current activity levels, age, BMI, and comorbidities. The goal was to gradually increase their walking to 30 minutes most days of the week over six months. The results were promising, showing a relative risk reduction in low back pain recurrences and a reduction in care-seeking episodes. This has significant implications for both individual health and healthcare system burdens, highlighting the potential of simple interventions like walking combined with education. Dr. Pocovi also discussed the cost-effectiveness of the intervention, noting that it was highly likely to be cost-effective based on willingness-to-pay thresholds. The biggest savings were seen in reduced work absenteeism. For more information, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course/ Love the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review. Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO, Integrative Pain Science Institute

In this special webinar episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, and Rose Pignataro, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, a leading researcher and physical therapist specializing in health behavior change, discuss how healthy eating can relieve chronic pain. They also discuss strategies to help patients adhere to and sustain nutritional changes. For more information, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit https://integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course/ Love the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review. Thank you for listening. Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO Integrative Pain Science Institute

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT speaks with Anthony Delitto, PT, PhD, FAPTA a leading researcher in musculoskeletal pain, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications and a career dedicated to improving pain care. Dr. Delitto led the groundbreaking TARGET Trial, a $13-million PCORI-funded study investigating how early intervention with physical therapy—specifically, psychologically-informed physical therapy—can prevent acute low back pain from becoming chronic. In this episode, we dive into the findings of the TARGET Trial, how primary care providers can be trained to recognize risk factors for persistent pain, and why timely referral to physical therapy matters. We also discuss the critical role of physical therapists as primary care providers, the broader impact of poorly managed pain—including the overuse of opioids, unnecessary imaging, and low-value care—and what all of this means for patients, healthcare systems, and employers. For more information, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit https://integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course/ Love the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review. Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO Integrative Pain Science Institute

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, and Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT present a webinar on the mental health physical therapist and the role of physical therapy in mental health. This webinar covers many topics, including: For CEU courses and the Mental Health Physical Therapist Certification, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review. Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT speaks with Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT, on becoming a mental health physical therapist. Dr. Fletcher has over two decades of experience in clinical practice, education, and administration. His work bridging physical therapy and mental health grew out of his experience working in the military, teaching in the doctor of physical therapy programs, working at the VA, and as the Chief Operating Officer of a $4M funded SAMSHA Certified Community Behavioral Health clinic. This conversation covers many topics, including: For questions about the Mental Health Physical Therapist Certification program, visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com or email support@integrativepainscienceinstitute.com. The next cohort opens on Saturday, Jan 4th. For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review. Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT

In this week's episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast, we speak with Dr. David Spiegel, a renowned expert in the field of hypnosis. Dr. Spiegel has decades of experience studying the applications of hypnosis in managing chronic pain, non-communicable diseases, and even cancer. Our conversation delved into the evolution of hypnosis from its early misconceptions to its current status as a scientifically-backed therapeutic tool for pain relief. For show notes and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

In this episode, we speak with globally renowned pain researcher, Professor Lorimer Mosley. Lorimer is a clinician, scientist and educator whose investigates the role of the brain and the mind in chronic pain. He's a professor of clinical neurosciences and a foundation chair in physiotherapy at the University of South Australia. He has authored over 400 research articles and seven books on pain. He also leads a nonprofit organization called Pain Revolution, which you can learn more about by going to the website PainRevolution.org. On today's episode, we discuss new ways a clinician can deliver pain science education and how impactful this approach can be for people living with pain. For show notes, articles, and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

On this week's episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast, we explore the concept of pain resilience with our expert guest Dr. Drew Sturgeon. Dr Sturgeorn is a fellowship-trained licensed clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology. Dr. Sturgeon shares his journey into pain resilience, influenced by his mentor Dr. Alex Zoutra's work on adult resilience and adaptation in chronic pain. We discuss the growing interest in pain resilience and its distinction from pain vulnerability. Dr. Sturgeon emphasizes that resilience should be viewed as a process rather than a trait, highlighting the importance of sustainability, recovery, and growth in the face of chronic pain. We explore the idea that resilience involves actively pursuing meaningful goals despite pain, rather than merely tolerating it. Dr. Sturgeon explains how positive emotions, acceptance, and cognitive-behavioral strategies can enhance resilience by helping individuals reframe their pain experience and maintain functionality. For show notes, articles, and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

In this week's episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast, we delve into the intriguing and emerging field of psychedelic medicine for pain management. Our guest, Dr. Maya Armstrong, a board-certified physician in addiction and family medicine, shares her insights and research on this topic. Dr. Armstrong discusses her background and how her personal experience with chronic pain and her professional journey in addiction medicine led her to explore the potential of psychedelics in treating chronic pain. We explore the concept of pain as an emergent property of a complex system, emphasizing the importance of understanding pain beyond the traditional biopsychosocial model. For show notes, articles, and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

This episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast delves into the interconnectedness between chronic pain and trauma, particularly focusing on the use of neurogenic movement to release trauma and alleviate chronic pain. Dr. Tatta introduces Richmond Heath, a physiotherapist from Australia with expertise in treating chronic pain and trauma through tension and trauma-releasing exercises (TRE). The discussion begins by highlighting the overlap between chronic pain and trauma, emphasizing that both are active processes generated by the brain and body. Physiotherapist Richmond Heath explains how trauma responses can manifest as immobility and tension in the body, leading to chronic pain over time. The conversation shifts to the concept of neurogenic movement, where the nervous system generates movement spontaneously without conscious control. This natural recovery response is explored as a tool for releasing tension and trauma stored in the body. For show notes, articles, and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

Dr. Maria Garvey-Caruso is a physical therapist and author of the Pain Freedom Workbook. Her workbook is a concise and powerful tool that distills complex pain science education into a user-friendly format. The idea for the workbook stemmed from Dr. Garvey Carusos’s desire to simplify complex pain science and provide whole-person approach to pain care for her patients. Throughout the episode, Dr. Garvey-Caruso shares insights into the development process of the workbook, highlighting the challenges of distilling vast amounts of information into a compact format. Overall, the episode sheds light on the innovative approach to pain science education through the Pain Freedom Workbook and underscores the importance of personalized and concise communication in the field of physical therapy and pain management. For show notes, articles and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

Dr. Orit Hickman, owner of Pain Science Physical Therapy in Seattle, discusses implementing the latest pain science into clinical practice, focusing on the three types of pain: nociceptive, peripheral neuropathic, and nociplastic pain. Dr. Hickman shares her journey in integrating pain science into patient care and the importance of trauma-informed approaches. Tune in to learn how to evaluate and treat different types of pain and how to take a holistic approach to chronic pain. For show notes, articles and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

In today’s episode, Dr. Tawny Kross, a physical therapist who integrates psychology into her practice, discusses the fusion of psychology and physical therapy, known as psychologically informed physical therapy, and its essential role in pain management. Dr. Kross shares insights from her work at the VA Medical Center and in her private practice, highlighting the importance of a whole person approach to pain care. We discuss the challenges and benefits of integrating cognitive behavioral techniques into physical therapy and improving pain literacy. Tune in to learn how to enhance pain care through a psychologically informed approach and gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of physical therapy. For show notes, articles and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

Physical therapists can and do play a role in promoting mental health wellness in patients, including managing psychological distress and even suicide prevention. In today's episode, Australian physiotherapist Ryan McGrath uncovers the ways that physical therapists can identify and address signs of psychological distress in their patients. He talks about yellow flags as well as red flags and how you can implement effective assessment and management strategies for things like pain, catastrophizing depression, and how to screen for suicide. Ryan’s PhD specifically looks at ways physiotherapists support clients with psychological distress. Whether you are a physical therapist, a physiotherapist, or another health professional, and if you're curious about the intersection of physical and mental health, this episode is for you. For show notes, articles and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

Dive into the transformative power of Recovery Courts as we explore the groundbreaking integration of exercise into addiction recovery programs in this episode. Dr. Joe Tatta welcomes Walter Midkiff and The Honorable H. Lee Harrell as they share their pioneering work in implementing Recovery Fitness as part of recovery court programs. Discover how exercise not only aids in substance use recovery but also enhances physical and mental well-being, fostering a supportive community and empowering individuals to overcome challenges and build resilience. Join us as we look into success stories, challenges, and the potential for expanding this innovative approach to fuel positive outcomes in recovery programs nationwide. For show notes, articles and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

Patients often find themselves in a pickle of having prescribed different medications for different purposes, which eventually overlap and do more harm than good. Thankfully, this alarming situation can be solved through medication reduction and tapering. Dr. Joe Tatta explores the role of physical therapists in this process with Aimee Perron, PT, DPT. They explain the keystone position every PT can take in upholding safer medication management and implementing deprescription in the most responsible way. Aimee also discusses the importance of holding counseling sessions with patients to better understand their health goals and minimize their fear of polypharmacy. For show notes, articles and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

We’ve hinted at the start of this show’s rebrand that there is a global dearth of attention to pain science education. Today’s guest goes even further than that. He believes that pain should be a public health concern and that pain science education should be for everybody. It’s hard not to agree with Cormac Ryan, PhD, as he presents a compelling case for raising the general public’s pain literacy. After all, we now know that pain is a complex experience that is influenced by a lot of things around us, including society as a whole. Join this conversation and learn why we need to step up our efforts to educate the public and practitioners alike on the latest scientific understanding of pain and what people like Dr. Cormac Ryan are doing about that. For show notes, articles and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »