
The Modern Pain Podcast
The Modern Pain Podcast helps clinicians and patients better understand and treat pain. We bring clinicians, researchers, and patients together. Our focus is on returning the patient's voice back to healthcare. Brought to you by Modern Pain Care.
Latest episodes

Jun 23, 2025 • 17min
Escaping the Medical Merry-Go-Round of Chronic Pain
Many patients are doing something about their pain—but they’re still not living the life they want.In this episode of The Modern Pain Podcast, Dr. Mark Kargela breaks down how to help patients zoom out and reflect on whether their care is truly moving them toward what matters most—or just keeping them stuck in a cycle of appointments and short-term relief.You’ll learn:✅ Why “the medical merry-go-round” fails patients with complex pain✅ How to use simple questions to promote reflection and agency✅ A free download you can use in your next session to support these conversations🎁 Download the FREE Patient Reflection Tool: https://modernpaincare.com/reflect👇 Drop a comment: How do YOU guide patients to evaluate their care path?🧠 Join our movement to change the story around pain. Subscribe, share, and connect at modernpaincare.com*********************************************************************📸 - Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modernpaincare/🐦 - Follow us on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/modernpaincare/🎙️ - Listen to our Podcast - https://www.modernpaincare.com____________________________________Modern Pain Care is a company dedicated to spreading evidence-based and person-centered information about pain, prevention, and overall fitness and wellness

Jun 8, 2025 • 11min
Why Your Inner Critic is Lying to You (And How to Take Action Anyway)
Are you battling self-doubt and endless distractions that keep you from creating something that matters? You’re not alone.In this episode of the Modern Pain Podcast, I share how I spent six months fighting my own inner critic and finally took action on a project I deeply care about.We’ll talk about:✅ Why even experienced clinicians feel like imposters sometimes✅ The small, practical steps that helped me beat procrastination✅ Tools and habits I’m using to stay focused and off the doomscrolling hamster wheel✅ How these same principles apply to helping patients living with persistent pain🛠️ Tools mentioned:Brick Cold Turkey 🎯 What you’ll learn: • Real-world tips for breaking through perfectionism and fear • How to use tools like Pomodoro timers, productivity apps, and mindset shifts • Why your “inner critic” isn’t telling the truth (and what to do instead!)*********************************************************************📸 - Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modernpaincare/🐦 - Follow us on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/modernpaincare/🎙️ - Listen to our Podcast - https://www.modernpaincare.com____________________________________Modern Pain Care is a company dedicated to spreading evidence-based and person-centered information about pain, prevention, and overall fitness and wellness

May 25, 2025 • 45min
Whole Person Physical Therapy Is Here | Matt Erb on Mindbody Integration
Pain Practice OS Waiting List Matt Erb returns to the show for an insightful and wide-ranging conversation on the future of physical therapy. We cover the limitations of the biopsychosocial model, practical mindbody strategies, billing within the system, trauma-informed care, and how clinicians can advocate for real change—both in their practice and the communities they serve.📃 Article - Advancing Physiotherapy in Mental Health: Guiding Principles for Whole-Person Care 📕 Integrative Rehabilitation Practice - Textbook Co-Edited by Matt *********************************************************************📸 - Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modernpaincare/🐦 - Follow us on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/modernpaincare/🎙️ - Listen to our Podcast - https://www.modernpaincare.com____________________________________Modern Pain Care is a company dedicated to spreading evidence-based and person-centered information about pain, prevention, and overall fitness and wellness

May 19, 2025 • 49min
From Telling to Guiding – Transforming Patient Communication
In this episode, I sit down with Ben Whybrow, a pain specialist physio in the UK and new community manager for Modern Pain Care, to discuss the critical role of communication in modern healthcare. We break down why the traditional, paternalistic approach to patient interaction falls short and explore how guided discovery can lead to better outcomes for people in pain. If you’re a clinician looking to improve your communication skills and create more meaningful connections with your patients, this conversation is for you.🔗 Links Mentioned: • Modern Pain Care Program Interest List • Clinical Communication Podcast – Ben Whybrow • Gifford’s Aches and Pains Books *********************************************************************📸 - Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modernpaincare/🐦 - Follow us on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/modernpaincare/🎙️ - Listen to our Podcast - https://www.modernpaincare.com____________________________________Modern Pain Care is a company dedicated to spreading evidence-based and person-centered information about pain, prevention, and overall fitness and wellness

May 11, 2025 • 46min
Breaking Healthcare Silos: Rethinking Physical Therapy and Chronic Pain Care
In this episode, I sit down with Cameron Faller, co-founder of the Institute of Contextual Health, to discuss the future of healthcare. We explore the challenges of traditional, siloed care models and why a more interconnected, person-centered approach is essential for better patient outcomes. Cameron shares insights on process-based care, complexity science, the role of EMRs, and the potential for AI to revolutionize the patient experience. If you’re a clinician or healthcare provider looking to make a real impact, this episode is for you.🔗 Links Mentioned: • Institute of Contextual Health • Hayes & Hoffman’s Process-Based Therapy Book (recommended reading) (affiliate link) • Connect with Cameron on Instagram *********************************************************************📸 - Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modernpaincare/🐦 - Follow us on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/modernpaincare/🎙️ - Listen to our Podcast - https://www.modernpaincare.com____________________________________Modern Pain Care is a company dedicated to spreading evidence-based and person-centered information about pain, prevention, and overall fitness and wellness

Apr 27, 2025 • 18min
Out-Value, Not Out-Volume: Ethical Sales in Modern Rehab
In today’s episode, we tackle one of the biggest tensions modern clinicians face:How do you keep your schedule full and patients engaged without fear-mongering or overselling?I share how to reframe “sales” from manipulation to alignment, why selling your services is an ethical obligation, and how to transition from just treating pain to guiding patients toward long-term health and resilience.If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting to do right by your patients and keeping your business thriving — this one’s for you.➡️ Learn how to out-value, not out-volume, the competition.➡️ Find out why selling real wellness is the future.➡️ Hear real-world strategies to build relationships, not dependency.**Timestamps**00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:09 Listener's Message and Common Struggles00:44 Reframing Sales in Healthcare01:10 Personal Journey with Sales02:20 Ethical Sales and Value Exchange04:54 Challenges with the Fix Model07:13 Broadening the Scope of Care14:08 Practical Tips for Ethical Sales17:12 Conclusion and Call to ActionSubscribe for more episodes: https://youtube.com/@modernpainpodcastConnect with me:Website: https://modernpaincare.comInstagram: @modernpaincareEmail: mark@modernpaincare.com*********************************************************************📸 - Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modernpaincare/🐦 - Follow us on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/modernpaincare/🎙️ - Listen to our Podcast - https://www.modernpaincare.com____________________________________Modern Pain Care is a company dedicated to spreading evidence-based and person-centered information about pain, prevention, and overall fitness and wellness

Apr 20, 2025 • 13min
Creative Hopelessness in Chronic Pain: Why More of the Same Isn’t Working
What if more treatment isn’t the answer?In this episode, we explore Creative Hopelessness—an ACT-based exercise that helps patients with persistent pain reflect on the real impact of their symptom management strategies.You’ll learn how to guide patients to see their patterns, validate their efforts, and gently open the door to a new, values-based direction.👇 Download the FREE clinician guide to walk through this exercise in your own sessions:https://modernpaincare.com/hopelessness*********************************************************************📸 - Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modernpaincare/🐦 - Follow us on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/modernpaincare/🎙️ - Listen to our Podcast - https://www.modernpaincare.com____________________________________Modern Pain Care is a company dedicated to spreading evidence-based and person-centered information about pain, prevention, and overall fitness and wellness

9 snips
Apr 6, 2025 • 18min
Neuropathic Pain Made Simple: What Every Clinician Should Know
Dive into the complexities of neuropathic pain, where symptoms like burning and zinging often lead to misdiagnosis. Discover effective screening techniques using everyday objects like a coin and paperclip to identify nerve dysfunction. Learn how to differentiate between neuropathic and other pain types and avoid common diagnostic pitfalls. Gain clarity on crucial terms like radicular pain and explore the importance of precise neurological examinations in effective pain management.

5 snips
Mar 30, 2025 • 43min
Whiplash Isn’t Just Neck Pain: What Clinicians Are Missing
Dr. Annina Schmid leads the Neuromusculoskeletal Health and Science Lab in Oxford, focusing on nerve injuries, while Dr. Joel Fundaun is a postdoc at Stanford specializing in whiplash. They discuss how Grade II whiplash may signify neuropathic pain rather than just musculoskeletal issues. Listeners learn about essential diagnostic tools like neurodynamic testing and the importance of addressing nerve inflammation. The duo advocates for a comprehensive treatment approach that blends physical and psychosocial strategies for improved patient outcomes.

Mar 23, 2025 • 51min
Building a Personal Brand in Healthcare | Tom Walters Shares How
🎙️ In this episode of The Modern Pain Podcast, Mark Kargela chats with Tom Walters, DPT—founder of Rehab Science, educator, and digital health innovator.Tom shares how he transitioned from a traditional orthopedic physical therapist to building a global online brand helping millions through coaching, education, and his bestselling book. We dive into:✅ Why coaching and education may be more impactful than hands-on care✅ How Rehab Science became a leader in virtual rehab & social media health content✅ Handling criticism in the online health space (and how to grow from it)✅ The dangers of outdated treatment models in physical therapy✅ How Tom is serving both clinicians & the general public through modern pain care👉 If you’re a clinician, fitness pro, or just someone who cares about where healthcare is headed—you don’t want to miss this one.📚 Grab Tom’s Book (Rehab Science): https://amzn.to/4bQB0oB (affiliate link - helps the channel)💻 Follow Tom on Instagram & YouTube (@rehabscience)🌐 More from Modern Pain Care: https://modernpaincare.com💡 Stay tuned until the end where Tom shares details on upcoming courses and certifications aimed at bridging the gap between rehab and fitness!#TomWalters #RehabScience #DigitalHealthcare #PainCare #PhysicalTherapy #ModernPainPodcast #Coaching #PTBusiness #ChronicPain #PainScience #FitnessProfessionals #VirtualRehab*********************************************************************📸 - Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modernpaincare/🐦 - Follow us on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/modernpaincare/🎙️ - Listen to our Podcast - https://www.modernpaincare.com____________________________________Modern Pain Care is a company dedicated to spreading evidence-based and person-centered information about pain, prevention, and overall fitness and wellness