Moving Beyond Hurt = Harm

Over 25 million Americans experience daily chronic pain and the functional limitations that occur as a result of this condition. One of the most important clinical manifestations of chronic pain is patient fear of movement (kinesiophobia). Many of these patients rely on an over-simplified explanation of pain that centers around the belief that all pain is a result of tissue damage; Hurt = Harm. The challenge for clinicians is to provide an explanation of pain that replaces the hurt = harmmodel with an explanation that facilitates optimal tissue loading and exercise. It is essential that, this new optimalloading explanatory model of pain, be easily understood, andvalidate patients’ beliefs and life experiences.

This workshop will provide clinicians with foundational knowledge on the neuroscience of pain, as well as important contributing systems to the pain experience (immune, endocrine, psychological). A case-based approach will be used to provide in-clinic examples of how to provide patients with information about pain that will facilitate movement and participation. Clinicians with all levels of experience and expertise will be able to effectively engage patients with chronic pain using evidence-based self-regulated learning models, patient centered objectives and motivational interviewing strategies.

Highlights

• Immediately improve the ease of communication with patients experiencing chronic pain
• Effectively use anatomy and biomechanical principles to prescribe exercise that emphasize optimal tissue loading
• Next-day strategies for enhanced patient education about pain that facilitates active participation
• Improved patient function and participation usingevidence-based learning strategies

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Athletic Trainers