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 of purpose—what it truly means and how it varies from person to person. She unpacks the symbiotic relationship between purpose and behavioral activation, how purpose can change throughout different phases of life, and more. Tune in and get ready to view pain through a different lens—one that turns it into a stepping stone toward wellness.

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 even phenomenology. He also uncovers why he advocates for a pluralistic approach, where various perspectives coexist to create a more diverse and effective healing landscape. Throughout the episode, Dr. Nicholls demonstrates that it's time for physiotherapists to bridge the gap between the physical and the psychological, ultimately reshaping the narrative of healthcare itself. Join us in this episode as we challenge the status quo and pave the way for a new era of healing.

Dr. Joe Tatta is joined by Dr. Anna Lembke, MD to discuss the connection between dopamine and chronic pain. They explore the role of dopamine in addiction, the addictive nature of exercise, and the effects of our brain's wiring for scarcity and danger. Embracing discomfort and resetting reward pathways are emphasized. Check out Dr. Lembke's book 'Dopamine Nation' for more insights.

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 Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Cavazos, Texas. Alivia shares practical approaches to transform both the military and healthcare, making them more inclusive and accessible to the LGBTQ+ community. He explains why every medical practitioner should openly meet every human being wherever they are, helping them feel safe and secure regardless of sexual orientation or identity.

The role of the physical therapist in addiction recovery is multifaceted and it encompasses various aspects of the evaluation, the treatment of and support in recovery and addiction. At first glance, it may not seem that physical therapy fits within the addiction realm, but in fact, physical therapy and physical therapy in mental health and addiction is a perfect fit. This is a new topic for most people in our space, so we’re bringing someone who can spearhead this conversation. Holly Johnson, PT, DPT, is a specialist in the intersection between physical therapy, chronic musculoskeletal pain and addiction and mental health. In this conversation, she highlights the need for PTs to educate and train themselves on psychologically informed care so they can make a difference in the lives of people who are recovering from addiction. Tune in and get to know the nuances of care along the intersection of seemingly disparate fields of practice.

In this special episode, Dr. Joe Tatta shares updates on what he is up to and delves into new chronic pain approaches that revolutionize the medical field today. He talks about PRISM, or Pain Recovery and Integrative Model, a cognitive behavioral approach to physical therapy for the management of chronic pain that he has been working on for over two years. He also talks about how the biopsychosocial model is helpful in approaching pain’s multidimensional nature. Furthermore, Dr. Joe elaborates the six critical domains involved in pain recovery and the two types of pain mindsets in literature.

Pelvic organ prolapse is something that is not often talked about, but it causes much of the pelvic pain that women experience, especially after childbirth. Although symptoms can vary from patient to patient, pelvic organ prolapse typically involves a lot of discomfort and sometimes even unbearable pain. The fact that not many people talk about it prevents many women from getting access to all the therapies available to mitigate this condition. Maureen Mason, PT, DPT, WCS, joins us today to unpack this topic a little bit more and point us to the direction of care options that are backed by the current scientific consensus. She is the author of a book called Pelvic Rehabilitation: The Manual Therapy and Exercise Guide Across the Lifespan, where she talks about this stuff and more. Join in and learn more from her.   Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How »   Join the Healing Pain Podcast Community today: integrativepainscienceinstitute.com Healing Pain Podcast Facebook Healing Pain Podcast Twitter Healing Pain Podcast YouTube Healing Pain Podcast LinkedIn Healing Pain Podcast Instagram

Despite the continued advancements in healthcare, pressing issues still make access to care difficult, especially for those with disabilities. There are still barriers that we need to remove to make our systems more inclusive. Tackling the important topic of disability, inclusion, and justice, Dr. Joe Tatta interviews Winston Kennedy, PT, DPT, PhD. Dr. Kennedy is a physical therapist who holds a Master's degree in Public Health as well as a PhD in Kinesiology with a concentration on Adapted Physical Activity. He has been a strong advocate for the health and well-being of people with disabilities and their intersecting identities. In this episode, he dives deep into the value of bringing these conversations to light so we can have a better understanding of disability and translate that into how healthcare providers can better support these clients. Dr. Kennedy also dives deep into the intersectionality of disability, justice, and inclusion, letting us see disability from a cultural lens and the way our care impacts someone’s social identity. Take part in this great conversation and help raise awareness on these important issues.   Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How »   Join the Healing Pain Podcast Community today: integrativepainscienceinstitute.com Healing Pain Podcast Facebook Healing Pain Podcast Twitter Healing Pain Podcast YouTube Healing Pain Podcast LinkedIn Healing Pain Podcast Instagram

Among all other conditions, back pain is probably one of the most unnecessarily and excessively medicalized. Typically someone who exhibits symptoms of back pain would seek the help of primary healthcare providers first. This would kickstart a vicious cycle of imaging, surgery, injections, and opioid medications, most of which is likely superfluous. As a result, these patients often achieve low-quality outcomes from their care, and many even develop opioid dependence. But what if there was another way to deal with most types of back pain we are experiencing? In this episode. Dr. Joe Tatta speaks with Julie Fritz, PT, PhD, a University of Utah professor and researcher focused on examining non-pharmacologic treatments for persons with spinal pain. They discuss why we should be concerned about how we approach low back pain in our medical system, what a typical care pathway looks like for most people seeking lower back care, the impact or use of imaging studies for treating and evaluating lower back pain, the impact of cost on healthcare utilization, the role of physical therapists as primary care providers for the treatment of back pain, and how early physical therapy is associated with decreased opioid use. Tune in of all of these and more!

Disability does not equal inability, but ableism can create barriers that limit opportunities and perpetuate prejudice. It's time for society to recognize and address the harm of ableism and work towards a more inclusive, equitable future for all. In this episode, Dr. Michelle Nario-Redmond, Professor of Psychology and Biomedical Humanities, joins us to discuss the painful realities of ableism and disability prejudice. As an expert in stereotyping, prejudice, and disability studies, Dr. Michelle sheds light on the damaging effects it has on individuals and society as a whole, and the many ways in which ableism intersects with chronic pain and disability. She highlights her work and research on ableism, including her publication, "Ableism: The Causes and Consequences of Disability Prejudice". Through her advocacy work and research, Dr. Michelle has dedicated her life to raising awareness and fighting against ableism and disability prejudice. In this episode, we explore the many ways in which ableism and disability prejudice can be seen, and talk about how to improve the lives of people with a disability. Tune in and be educated about the pain of ableism.