Mastering Chronic Pain: Done-for-You Social Media

16 pieces of social media (images and text) on the topic of chronic pain, which you can post to Facebook or Twitter using our simple 4-step scheduling tool. Each piece of social media links to a email lead collection form where people can sign up to receive the resources. Once they have entered their details, we collect those email details for you, and deliver them to the resources they have signed up to receive. This campaign also includes 8 'lead magnets' (high value pieces of content) which your viewers can download once they've entered their email address (don't worry, we take care of the whole process for you). All you need to do is schedule the social media to be sent to your social networks. Use the campaign to build your email list and build reputation and authority by publishing some super-helpful content to your social networks.

To try out a free campaign and see how it works, just login or register an account below and visit the Campaigns section in the My Account panel.

Novel bedside tests to explore bodily perception in pain and rehabilitation

We are all experts in how our own body feels but how does this come about and what happens to this when we're in pain? As a clinician you use specific assessment techniques to understand and validate your patient's pain experience. Are these always appropriate or subtle enough?

This article introduces three bedside tests that explore bodily perception: left/right judgement tasks, two-point discrimination, and localisation of touch. These tests help to identify those patients at risk of their pain persisting and where rehabilitation may be failing. Having a better understanding of what helps construct our body perception and how this can change in pain, helps guide the rehabilitation process. This article includes a certificated elearning assessment, videos and a powerpoint presentation.

The hidden influence of metaphor within rehabilitation

Communication about a patient’s pain experience is a fundamental component of rehabilitation, but often requires the use of metaphoric expressions. However, whilst the meaning of some metaphors is clear, for others it can be obscure. This article will allow the reader to understand the influence that metaphors have on rehabilitation and how they can be used for pain reconceptualisation and behavioural change. It will also allow the development of strategies that enable better communication. There is also an audio recording of this article.

Dry needling for myofascial pain - research review

Our regular research review summarises research looking into the effectiveness of dry needling for myofascial pain.

Complex regional pain syndrome: what have we learned?

Our regular research reviewer, physical therapist Joseph Brence, reviews research looking into complex regional pain syndrome.

Psychosocial variables are associated with the development of chronic widespread pain

Our regular research reviewer, physical therapist Joseph Brence, reviews research looking into chronic widespread pain.

The brain, movement and pain: part 2

Our brains are constantly being remodelled in response to our movement and pain experiences. This article seeks to highlight the neural mechanisms involved in this neuroplastic remodelling, as these processes are vital for therapists to understand. We will look at how we can start to target the cortical representations of the physical parts of the body within our cerebral cortex and the research, science and techniques behind the process.

Music: Harmony with sport?

Pain is a complex phenomenon and cannot be attributed to the physical damage of tissues alone. Other factors such as the psychological and social aspects can all contribute to a person’s experience of pain. Everyone who participates in sport will experience pain from injury at some time and will search for effective pain relief with minimal side-effects. Music is all around us and has many benefits, including relieving pain. However, most people do not associate music with lessening pain and have probably been neglecting its great potential to benefit them. In this article, we explain the research evidence for the influence of music on pain and how it might work as a pain killer. We compare it to medication and discuss the advantages that music possesses since it is acceptable across cultures and increasingly accessible to us. Then, practical ways in which we might use music, both as patients and therapists, are discussed.

The brain, movement and pain: part 1

Movement is a highly variable and contextual activity. The specific movement reaction will be according to the brain interpretation of a given situation and the perceived risk or threat to the body’s tissues. By appreciating this context based reaction we can create assessment, treatment and rehab processes that enable us to understand and then change specific movement reactions that maybe causing pain or limitations thus leading to more applicable treatment methods. This may be the missing link between finding a cause and merely treating a symptom.

Chronic pain in sport: What’s the story?

This article discusses the science of pain in relation to the sports injury and how it can evolve into a persisting problem. No injury happens in isolation, and the early responses and management have an influence upon the journey – hence the need for effective pain control, diagnosis and a plan. Understanding that a persisting problem is underpinned by an ongoing protective and vigilant state allows for wise action in terms of treatment. The article is accompanied by a certificated elearning assessment.