Understanding Pain: Reducing Perceived Threat by Changing Perception

Course overview

Understanding pain science is a critical aspect of successful patient care. However, pain science is often too focused on the science and not directly applicable to helping your patients get better. This course will enhance the treatment you provide by helping you better understand pain, as well as how to talk to your patients about it in a way they understand, embrace and don't fear. This course dives deep into what pain is and why we have it, then will provide you with evidence-based strategies on how to use pain neuroscience education to improve patient outcomes. You'll learn metaphors and stories that help nudge patients in the right direction, depending on their readiness to make a behavior change. We'll also cover neurodynamics (movement of the nervous system) and how to treat a sensitive nerve. Finally, we'll discuss strategies to talk patients down from the "osteoarthritis/disc pathology cliff" when they are fixated on these issues and ignoring what can improve their pain and function. You'll leave this course with the ability to immediately apply the information and elevate your approach to treating patients' pain!