Pain Science Podcast

Laura Rathbone is a physiotherapist, educator, and clinical coach specializing in complex and persistent pain. Based in Amsterdam, her work integrates contemporary pain science with psychologically informed, trauma-informed, and person-centered approaches to care. Laura holds an MSc in Advanced Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy from King's College London and completed advanced training in Accepta...

Most physical therapists are taught to treat pain. Dr. Mai Huong Ho-Tran treats the whole person a shift that changes everything. In this conversation, we explore how experiential learning, mindful movement, and whole-person care can transform pain rehabilitation. Mai shares her Whole Health Framework, integrating breathwork, movement, behavior change, emotional intelligence, and provider wellness...

Physical therapists are rapidly expanding into mental and behavioral health care—and creating new models of practice that address the powerful connection between physical health, emotional wellbeing, and trauma. Dr. Gina Calderone, PT, DPT, shares how she built a cash-based physical therapy practice at the intersection of mind-body care and trauma-informed practice. We explore Gina's career path f...

Most PTs are taught to move fast. Dr. Erin Carr built her practice by slowing down, and that shift changed everything. In this conversation, Erin Carr, PT, DPT, shares how she grew Beyond Integrative PT from $3,000 in savings into a cash-based concierge practice in Santa Monica, California. She explains why she focuses on whole-person care for chronic pain and hypermobility, how she blends manual...

What actually happens in a patient's brain and body when you perform manual therapy? The answer may surprise you and change how you practice. In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, sits down with Damian Keter, PT, DPT, PhD, a researcher whose clinical career led him to question the foundational explanations behind one of physical therapy's most widely used interventions. Damian breaks down what a "t...

In this episode of the Pain Science Podcast, physical therapist Sherry Browerman discusses the intersection of yoga, physical therapy, and pain science. Sherry shares her journey of integrating these disciplines over 50 years, starting from her early experiences as an ice skater. They discuss how yoga and physical therapy can complement each other in understanding and managing pain. The conversati...

In this episode, we explore the growing integration of mental health into physical therapy with Moisés Magos, a physiotherapist and founder of the  Journal of Physiotherapy in Mental Health.  Drawing on over a decade of experience working with vulnerable populations—including individuals impacted by trauma, addiction, and displacement—Moisés shares the clinical and systemic gaps that led to the cr...

In this episode, we explore how the words clinicians use to diagnose musculoskeletal pain can profoundly shape patient beliefs, behaviors, and clinical outcomes. Joined by Stephen Martin, PT, MSc, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Winchester and PhD researcher on diagnostic language, we unpack emerging evidence showing that diagnostic labels are not neutral—they can act as powe...

In this episode of the  Pain Science Podcast , we explore a key question in modern pain care:  how do we measure whether pain science education actually changes the way people think about pain? Pain researcher and physiotherapist Roland Reezigt, PT, PhD(c) joins us to discuss the best way to measure pain beliefs and how to assess conceptual change after Pain Science Education. The conversation hig...

In this episode, Justin Carrier, PT, DPT, explores what "Primary Care Physical Therapy" truly means and why it represents a pivotal shift for the profession. Rather than functioning solely within a referral-based model, primary care physical therapy positions physical therapists as primary care providers for neuromusculoskeletal conditions—capable of evaluation, assessment, diagnosis, differential...

Emily Herndon, PT, DPT, shares her inspiring journey of how Montana physical therapists became recognized as primary care providers, influencing legislation and expanding the scope of practice. Discover strategies for advocacy, legislative success, and transforming physical therapy into a true primary care profession. Visit  integrativepainscienceinstitute.com for CEU training in psychologically i...

In this episode of the Pain Science Podcast, Dr. Mary Beth Osborne discusses the integration of mental health into physical therapy practice. She shares her personal experiences with suicide in her family, which have shaped her commitment to addressing mental health issues in her work. The conversation explores the importance of screening for mental health conditions, the role of physical therapis...

In this episode, Dr. Joe Tatta discusses the recent policy changes by the American Physical Therapy Association regarding the role of physical therapists in behavioral and mental health. He emphasizes the importance of this policy in legitimizing the role of physical therapists in addressing mental health issues, moving from mere acknowledgment to active inclusion in practice. The discussion cover...

In this episode of the Pain Science Podcast, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, welcomes Sarah Brown, PT, DPT, MS a doctor of physical therapy and nutritionist, to discuss the intricate relationship between food, the immune system, and chronic joint pain, particularly focusing on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Dr. Brown shares her unique journey from physical therapy to nutrition, emphasizing the importance of combi...

In this episode of the Pain Science Podcast, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, interviews Sharna Prasad, PT, DPT, about her journey from India to the U.S. and her experiences in pain management. They discuss the cultural influences on pain perception, the importance of understanding social determinants of health, and the need for a shift in physical therapy education. Dr. Prasad shares her insights on community...

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...

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 res...

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, speaks with physiotherapist and researcher Tash Pocovi, PhD about her groundbreaking study in the Lancet on the e ffectiveness 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 deliv...

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 c...

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 physic...

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...

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...

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 scien...

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 sci...

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. H...