The Pain Podcast

What happens when persistent symptoms start calling the shots? In this episode, Bart van Buchem and Tim Beames dig into the concepts of agency and body ownership in persistent pain — how they differ, how they're disrupted, and what clinicians can do about it. They discuss the clinical reality of patients wanting to disconnect from painful body parts, the role of hypervigilance and suggestibility,...

Pain has no objective test — so people depend on language to share what they're experiencing. In this episode, Tim Beames and Bart van Buchem unpack how clinicians can become better listeners, why patient metaphors matter far more than we might think, and how the language therapists use can either bridge or widen the gap between clinician and patient. They cover the skill of balancing open and dir...

In this episode of The Le Pub Scientifique Podcast, Tim Beames and Bart van Buchem tackle a phrase many clinicians fear saying out loud: “I don’t know.” Working in pain care means working with complexity, variability, and uncertainty — yet clinicians often feel pressure to provide certainty, predictions, and clear answers. In this conversation, Tim and Bart explore why false certainty can quietly...

What happens when we try to apply predictive processing models to fibromyalgia? In this exploratory conversation, Tim Beames and Bart Van Buckem work through the clinical implications of understanding fibromyalgia through the lens of prediction, uncertainty, and sensitivity to difference. They discuss why unpredictability is so costly in fibromyalgia, why "healthy activity" can backfire, and how s...

In this episode of The Pain Podcast, Tim Beames and Bart van Buchem explore a deceptively simple question: can assessment itself be therapeutic? Drawing on clinical experience from both in-person and online practice, they unpack how physical examinations are never neutral acts. Every question asked, every movement explored, and every test performed can shape expectations, build trust, reduce threa...

In this episode of The Pain Podcast, Tim Beames and Bart van Buchem take on a big, often buzzword-y topic: neuroplasticity in pain recovery. Starting from a real patient encounter (“I think this is about my neuroplasticity…”), they explore what this term actually means, where it comes from, and how to use it in a way that supports – rather than scares or blames – people living with persistent pain...

In this Christmas special, Tim Beames and Bart van Buchem look back at 2025 with Le Pub Scientifique and The Pain Podcast. This episode is part gratitude, part reflection, and part behind-the-scenes tour of what’s been happening in the Le Pub universe – and how it all connects to real clinical work. They talk about: Meeting listeners and members at EPIC in Lyon and in Melbourne, and the sense that...

Pain can steal roles, confidence, and connection. Tim and Bart explore how to spot identity loss and how to guide patients toward a values-led, reconstructed sense of self using language, movement, small wins, and co-created experiments. Why identity matters: chronic pain often causes biographical disruption—a break in the story of “who I am.” Neuro/psycho frame: predictive processing and the “mod...

Up to three-quarters of people with persistent pain report sleep problems. Tim and Bart dig into why sleep disruption boosts sensitivity (inflammation, circadian shifts, cortical filtering) and how targeted, realistic strategies can help—far beyond “no screens after 9.” Hear how to triage insomnia type, coach stimulus control and sleep-window tweaks, handle neuropathic night pain (yes, sometimes g...

In this episode, Bart and Tim explore one of the most misunderstood terms in pain care: catastrophising. More than just negative thinking, this cognitive-emotional process is deeply rooted in attentional networks, threat prediction, and prior experiences. We cover: The neuroscience of why catastrophic thinking increases pain The trap of premature reassurance or cognitive correction How to work wit...

In this episode of the Pain Podcast, Tim Beames and Bart Van Buchem tackle one of the most pressing challenges in pain care: how do we define success when pain doesn't go away? They explore why the traditional pain scale often fails people with chronic conditions, and how clinicians can shift the narrative toward life expansion, not just pain elimination. From functional goals to emotional resilie...

How do we respond when patients want immediate solutions to complex pain problems? In this reflective episode, Tim Beames and Bart Van Buchem explore one of the most common—and most challenging—clinical scenarios: the search for a quick fix. Expect insights into: The psychology of urgency and fear in persistent pain Strategies for building rapport and redirecting unrealistic expectations Tools and...

What happens when prescribed exercises don’t land—or even backfire? In this conversation, Bart Van Buchem and Tim Beames explore how rigid prescriptions can often disconnect people from their recovery and how a more collaborative, curious approach can unlock movement confidence. They discuss: Why traditional exercise programs often fall short The role of exploration, variability, and context in pa...

In this episode of Le Pub Scientifique: The Pain Podcast, Tim Beames and Bart van Buchem unpack one of the most common—and misunderstood—parts of recovery: the pain setback. Together, they explore why flare-ups feel so derailing, how language shapes recovery narratives, and how to support patients when things go off track. You’ll learn: Why the word "setback" may be doing more harm than good How t...

What does it really mean to “accept” chronic pain? Is it passive? Defeatist? Or could it be one of the most powerful tools in the pain recovery process? In this thought-provoking episode of the Le Pub Scientifique Pain Podcast, Tim Beames joins host Bart van Buchem to explore how acceptance—far from meaning surrender—can provide a path toward self-understanding, reduced suffering, and renewed agen...

🎙️ Hosts: Tim Beames & Bart Van Buchem What if pain isn’t just about injury—but about how we predict movement? In this episode, Tim Beames and Bart Van Buchem unravel the deep connections between Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), exploring how pain and movement disorders often overlap and what that means for recovery. 🔍 What you'll learn: ✅ Wh...

💡 What is Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), and how can healthcare professionals improve patient care and treatment outcomes? In this episode, Bart Van Buchem explores the evolution of FND, from being historically misclassified as hysteria to its recognition as a complex neurological movement disorder. We dive into the latest treatment approaches, physiotherapy strategies, and multidiscipli...

Summary In this conversation, Tim Beames and Bart Van Buchem explore the themes of unlocking lasting change in pain recovery, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, journaling, and setting meaningful goals. They discuss how creating conditions for well-being and the role of disruption can facilitate change in patients. The dialogue highlights the need for clinicians to support patients in...

Summary In this episode, Bart Van Buchem and Tim Beames discuss the complexities of nociplastic pain, a relatively new classification of pain that arises from altered nociception without clear evidence of tissue damage. They explore the implications of this classification for clinical practice, the importance of understanding patient perspectives, and the cultural considerations that influence pai...

Summary In this episode, Tim Beames and Bart discuss the pervasive issue of misinformation in pain management. They explore how unhelpful messaging affects patients' understanding of their pain and the role clinicians play in addressing these misconceptions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of replacing misinformation with accurate knowledge, navigating uncertainty in patient care, and t...

Summary In this episode of the Pain Podcast, Bart Van Buchem and Tim Beames delve into the complexities of the quick fix mentality in pain management. They explore the implications of relying on immediate solutions versus the importance of long-term strategies for managing persistent pain. The conversation emphasizes the need for a mindset shift towards active participation in treatment, the balan...

Tim Beames and Bart Van Buchem discuss the myth around posture and pain. They explore the societal belief that bad posture causes pain and how this belief is often ingrained from childhood. They also discuss the influence of social media and marketing on the perception of posture. The conversation highlights the importance of exploring different postures and movements to find what feels comfortabl...

In this episode, Bart and Tim discuss the importance of taking a break from therapy and how it can benefit patients. They share a story of a patient who experienced positive changes after giving themselves permission to have a break. They explore the concept of embodiment and how being in a different environment can change the way we experience our bodies. They also discuss the therapeutic approac...

Tim and Bart dive into the challenge of working under time constraints in both public health systems and private practice. They share strategies for setting boundaries, prioritising patient rapport, and delivering high-quality, individualised care despite limited time. The duo discuss the pros and cons of working within a system versus private practice and emphasise the importance of flexibility a...

Professor Cormac Ryan delves into the transformative power of the Flippin' Pain campaign, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to revolutionising the way people think, talk, and treat persistent pain. Through the lens of this public health approach, Cormac explores the critical importance of sharing knowledge, empowering communities, and harnessing the power of lived experiences to bridge the gap...