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 we...
Mar 18, 2025•39 min
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 subsc...
Feb 22, 2025•55 min
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 ...
Feb 10, 2025•57 min
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: The role of the physical therapist in mental and behavioral health. Opportunities for physical therapy professionals to work in mental and behavioral health. Suggested education and training in mental health physical therapy. For CEU courses and the Mental Health Physical Therapis...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 18 min
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 in the military, teaching in 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 co...
Dec 26, 2024•48 min
In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT speaks with Anna Weissman, a doctoral student in clinical psychology at York University in Canada. Anna’s research focuses on memory and includes developing memory-based interventions to treat chronic pain and further understand how our brains process painful memories. In today’s episode, we discuss how past experiences shape the way we perceive pain, what science reveals about the role of memory and chronic pain and the role of emotion in shaping painful memo...
Dec 09, 2024•38 min
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...
Nov 14, 2024•34 min
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 goin...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 336
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 growin...
Jul 15, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 335
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 chr...
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 334
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...
Jun 05, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 333
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 challen...
May 22, 2024•28 min•Ep. 332
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, a...
May 06, 2024•52 min•Ep. 331
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 techniq...
Apr 29, 2024•37 min•Ep. 330
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, catastrophizin...
Apr 10, 2024•35 min•Ep. 329
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 ind...
Apr 03, 2024•29 min•Ep. 328
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 respon...
Mar 19, 2024•32 min•Ep. 327
A lot of things have changed since we started the Healing Pain Podcast five years ago. From our conversations with leading names in the pain management and related fields, we have gone down the rabbit hole of no return, exposing us to the wide, wonderful, and in many ways, untamed world of pain science. What exactly is pain science? There is a lot to unpack about this concept, and we’re excited to announce that that is going to be the focus of this podcast moving forward. In this episode, Dr. Jo...
Mar 12, 2024•12 min•Ep. 325
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 ar...
Mar 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 326
We have read studies on the implementation of integrated pain management programs, but do they apply in the real world? Join us as we explore the realm of integrated pain management programs with Trevor Lentz, PT, PhD, MPH . Dr. Trevor is a distinguished figure in physical therapy and an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Duke University School of Medicine. Driven by a commitment to enhancing care for those grappling with chronic pain, his research underscores the sig...
Nov 15, 2023•34 min•Ep. 324
How exactly do we deal with chronic pain? The state of the science suggests that the answer may be different for different people. In this episode, Afton Hassett, PsyD , a renowned expert from the University of Michigan, delves into the complexities of chronic pain and the safe, effective ways to manage it. Drawing from her extensive research and her recently published book, Chronic Pain Reset , Dr. Hassett offers profound insights into the physical, emotional, and social aspects of pain. She em...
Nov 08, 2023•38 min•Ep. 323
Is the movement system really a system or is it a theory with little clinical application? Should we move beyond impairment-based paradigms as physical therapists? Are we ready to embrace a more holistic approach to rehabilitation and pain management? These are questions that Dr. Joe Tatta addresses in this episode with his guest, Andrew Guccione , PT, PhD, DPT, FAPTA, a distinguished researcher and professor and a visionary thought leader in the physical therapy space. Dr. Guccione explores ide...
Nov 01, 2023•59 min•Ep. 322
According to statistics, there is a significant number of people who, at some point in their lives, will experience pelvic pain. Unfortunately, the lack of education about sexual wellness often keeps people from finding the right care they need. Talking about a trauma-informed approach to pelvic pain and sexual wellness, Dr. Joe Tatta interviews Rose Schlaff, PT, DPT, WHC, IF —a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Sexual Health Coach and Sexual Health Fellow (ISSWSH). Dr. Schlaff discusses the importanc...
Oct 25, 2023•42 min•Ep. 321
Reviving resilience and healing from trauma means shifting from a mindset of 'broken' to 'empowered,' and finding the strength within to transform pain into growth. For today’s episode, Ray Chen , PT, and PhD candidate dives into integrative physiotherapy and explores the journey of resilience and healing. Tired of conventional pain management models that often leave patients feeling broken and helpless, Ray shares his personal and professional evolution in reimagining healthcare. His profound s...
Oct 18, 2023•38 min•Ep. 320
Weight and race both have direct connections to pain perception, but this aspect is seldom considered by many healthcare professionals. This leads to countless issues that make a person’s pain even worse. Joining Dr. Joe Tatta to discuss how to solve this problem is Ericka Merriwether, PT, DPT, PhD . They dissect how to improve methods towards obesity and racial issues by exploring the intersection of weight, race, and pain. Dr. Ericka also explains how PTs should focus on promoting physical act...
Oct 04, 2023•34 min•Ep. 319
The more we study pain and pain management, the more we realize how much power the person experiencing the pain has over their own experience and healing. This is why our job as practitioners is not to be the solution for our patients, but to help them find the solution for themselves. This powerful perspective is brought to us by Dillon Caswell, PT, DPT, SCS , a groundbreaking expert on using hope as a therapeutic intervention for chronic pain. In this episode, we learn how hope can easily be o...
Sep 27, 2023•31 min•Ep. 318
Do you ever find yourself pondering the question: "What's my purpose in life?" Amidst life's trials, purpose becomes the bridge that carries us from pain to newfound strength, igniting a remarkable transformation. In this episode, we have special guest Stephanie Hooker, PhD , Research Investigator at HealthPartners Institute. Today, she explores how having a sense of purpose can go beyond simply giving life direction—it’s an elixir for the heart and body, too. Stephanie demystifies the concept o...
Sep 06, 2023•24 min•Ep. 317
Physiotherapy's future lies in embracing a kaleidoscope of perspectives, transcending boundaries, and redefining healing itself. For today’s episode, we're joined by Dr. Dave Nicholls , author of " The End of Physiotherapy " and " Physiotherapy Otherwise ”. Dr. Nicholls is here to challenge conventional perspectives and explore the future of the vital healthcare discipline: Physiotherapy. He reveals the hidden potential in embracing a broader scope that includes social justice, psychology, and e...
Aug 30, 2023•56 min•Ep. 316
Dopamine is a chemical formed in the brain that allows us to experience pleasure, reward, and motivation. The more of it that is released in the synapse, the more likely it can reinforce us to do a specific action all over again. In this episode, Dr. Joe Tatta is joined by Anna Lembke, MD , who discusses how dopamine is not only released through pleasurable activities but also relatively painful ones. She discusses how to achieve a complete pain-pleasure balance in today’s world that keeps bomba...
Jun 28, 2023•36 min•Ep. 314
It is saddening to hear stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community who are denied healthcare services. Most of the time, doctors and medical practitioners refuse to attend to their needs because of personal preferences, political views, and religious beliefs. Alivia Stehlik, PT, DPT dedicates herself to turning this unfortunate situation around. Joining Dr. Joe Tatta, she talks about her advocacy as a queer trans woman currently serving in the US Army as medical team leader for the 3rd Securit...
Jun 22, 2023•31 min•Ep. 315
