Paincast

In this episode, I bring you to Quebec City at the Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting to meet 4 incredible individuals:

(00:01:34) Dr. Andrea Furlan: The role of a physiatrist in interdisciplinary pain rehab and some of the challenges and hopes she has

(00:20:14) Lynn Cooper: The significance of people with lived experiences at the tables of pain research, pain advocacy, and improving pain management in Canada

(00:40:39) Tahir Janmohamad: How innovation can fill in the gaps of pain care, particularly how an app with pain tracking and pain psychology can help people living with pain

(00:55:26) Dr. Kelly Shinkaruk: Research on why people fail interdisciplinary pain programs

 

Speaker Bio and Links

Dr. Andrea Furlan is a physiatrist who sees people living with chronic pain at the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute. She is also a Senior Scientist at the KITE Research Institute, the research arm of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and is a professor at the University of Toronto. She also has a YouTube channel on chronic pain management.

ECHO UHN on Chronic Pain and Opioid Stewardship: https://uhn.echoontario.ca/Our-Programs/Chronic-Pain

Website: https://www.doctorandreafurlan.com/

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAndreaFurlan

 

Lynn Cooper was formerly president of the Canadian Pain Coalition. She has spent more than 20 years volunteering with organizations that seek to better understand issues surrounding chronic pain, and furthering research into and management of chronic pain. She was awarded the Person with Lived Experience Leadership Award at the Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting 2026.

 

Tahir Janmohamed is the founder and CEO of ManagingLife, a digital health company that improves the lives of people with chronic pain. Prior to ManagingLife, Tahir spent 8 years as a strategy & analytics consultant at IBM. Tahir is a Professional Engineer in Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto, and has an MBA from the Rotman School of Management. 

ManagingLife: https://managinglife.com/

 

Dr. Kelly Shinkaruk is an anesthesiologist working with people living with chronic pain in the Calgary Chronic Pain Centre. She also has a Master's degree in Medical Education with a focus on Interprofessional experiences and collaborative competency development in medical students. 

Calgary Chronic Pain Centre: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/centres/anesthesiology/chronic-pain-centre/chronic-pain-centre

 

Other conference-special episodes:

Ep40: World Physiotherapy Congress Special: Asking Physios Around the World About Pain

Ep25: Interview Physiotherapists About Pain at the CPA Congress 2024

Ep08: Interviewing Physiotherapists About Pain at the CPA Congress

Ep09: Interviewing Leaders in Physiotherapy (Part 1)

Ep10: Interviewing Leaders in Physiotherapy (Part 2)

 

Paincast is dedicated to bringing together researchers, clinicians, and students to discuss topics related to pain and physiotherapy. The primary purpose is to facilitate knowledge translation and critical thinking. Some episodes posit themselves as more educational than others, and some more opinionated than others. The listener is encouraged to listen critically. While there is an effort to incorporate research evidence, and the topics are always researched by the host, we recognize there is room for improvement and there is expertise in the community. As such, we invite constructive critique and that you inform us of any inadvertent errors, so that we may correct them. You may submit your feedback through this form: https://forms.gle/UFfbUHBh8uKwSKgS8

Follow Paincast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paincast.psd/

Connect with Tiffany Tiu at [email protected]!

In this episode, we talked about

The differences between acute and chronic pain at the physical, neurological and psychosocial level

A paradigm shift in thinking about and treating chronic pain patients 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: What it is, how it works and why it can be particularly beneficial for individuals in managing chronic pain

Setting realistic expectations with patients while avoiding any sense of invalidation or skepticism

This is a student-led episode under the mentorship of Tiffany Tiu. Jules and Brooklyn are Master of Physiotherapy students from the University of Alberta and McMaster University respectively. 

Dr. Bronwyn Lennox Thompson leads the Postgraduate Programmes in Pain and Pain Management at the University of Otago, based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Dr. Lennox Thompson’s clinical background is occupational therapy and psychology, and her clinical and research focus is on supported pain self-management in daily life. Her research interests include lived experiences of chronic pain, consumer/lived experience involvement in research, policy and service development, and supported self-management in painful medical procedures. Her primary academic work is teaching an interprofessional approach to pain and pain management to clinicians from a diverse range of clinical backgrounds. She was awarded the University of Otago Teaching Excellence Award in 2022, and the University of Otago Gold Medal for teaching excellence in 2025.

 

Resources

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy resources by Russ Harris:  https://www.actmindfully.com.au/ 

ACT Made Simple: An Easy-To-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Russ Harris [book]

Belton, J., & Darlow, B. (2026). Do We Trust Patients in Pain? What Would Happen If We Did?. JOSPT, 56(1), 1-3.

Radical Relief: A Guide to Overcome Chronic Pain by Joe Tatta [book]

 

Connect with Dr. Bronnie Thompson

Blog: https://healthskills.wordpress.com

Instagram and Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/healthskillsNZ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronniet/

 

Paincast is dedicated to bringing together researchers, clinicians, and students to discuss topics related to pain and physiotherapy. The primary purpose is to facilitate knowledge translation and critical thinking. Some episodes posit themselves as more educational than others, and some more opinionated than others. The listener is encouraged to listen critically. While there is an effort to incorporate research evidence, and the topics are always researched by the host, we recognize there is room for improvement and there is expertise in the community. As such, we invite constructive critique and that you inform us of any inadvertent errors, so that we may correct them. You may submit your feedback through this form: https://forms.gle/UFfbUHBh8uKwSKgS8

Follow Paincast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paincast.psd/

In this episode, we discussed:

The principal use of diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing: When it should be used and when it shouldn't be used

The limitations of diagnostics and ramifications of overuse on psychological, behavioural, and systemic levels

Improving providers' literacy and patient education around diagnostics

The impact of physiotherapists having the scope expansion and the current state of advocacy on this topic

 

Resources

The Canadian C-spine Rule

The Ottawa Ankle Rule

The Ottawa Knee Rule

Canadian Association of Radiologists Utilization Guideline

American College of Radiologist Appropriateness Criteria

Brinjikji, W., et al. (2015). MRI findings of disc degeneration are more prevalent in adults with low back pain than in asymptomatic controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 36(12), 2394-2399.

Flynn, T. W., et al. (2011). Appropriate use of diagnostic imaging in low back pain: a reminder that unnecessary imaging may do as much harm as good. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 41(11), 838-846.

Sajid, I. M., Parkunan, A., & Frost, K. (2021). Unintended consequences: quantifying the benefits, iatrogenic harms and downstream cascade costs of musculoskeletal MRI in UK primary care. BMJ open quality, 10(3).

Scott, I. A., Slavotinek, J., & Glasziou, P. P. (2024). First do no harm in responding to incidental imaging findings. Medical Journal of Australia, 220(1), 7-9.

Sharma, S., et al. (2021). “I would not go to him”: Focus groups exploring community responses to a public health campaign aimed at reducing unnecessary diagnostic imaging of low back pain. Health Expectations, 24(2), 648-658.

VOMIT (Victim Of Medical Imaging Technology) Poster: https://www.aptei.ca/product/vomit-radiology-facts-wall-poster/

 

Rob Werstine BA, BSc, MSc, DPT, FCAMPT, Dip Sport, MBA

Rob Werstine is a Physiotherapist who holds an Advanced Practice Provider position in the Rapid Access Clinic for Low Back Pain at LHSC in London and holds an adjunct teaching appointment in the School of Graduate Studies at Western University. Rob has spent his career opening access to health care for Canadians through the development of non-physician specialists. He helped create the first and only degree granting Clinical Master’s program for Physiotherapists in Orthopaedics at Western University in 2007 and helped create a National Clinical Specialists Program in 2012. He chaired the IFOMPT Conference in 2012 and has been an expert consultant for health care associations and regulatory bodies across North America. Rob has continued to help improve the ability of hundreds of non-physician health care professionals to take on Advanced Practice roles through the creation of Key Clinical Skills Inc., a continuing education provider for health care professionals across Canada and around the world, which has been providing education opportunities since 2016.

 

Dr. Jack Miller BSc(PT), Dip MT(NZ), MClSc, DPT, FCAMP

Dr. Miller completed his BSc in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto in 1980. He then spent six years in New Zealand where he completed the New Zealand Manipulative Therapy Association’s Graduate Diploma of Manipulative Therapy in 1984. During this program he had the opportunity to be directly mentored by both Robin McKenzie and Brian Mulligan. On returning to Canada, he went on to complete a Masters of Clinical Science at Western University in London and a Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of St. Augustine in the USA.

Jack has been the senior editor of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Orthopaedic Journal, an executive member of the Orthopaedic Division of CPA, the President of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physical Therapy, a member of the CPA Specialization accreditation committee, the conference chair for IFOMPT 2012, and was a founding member of the Mulligan Concept Teacher’s Association.

He has presented at conferences internationally, published research articles in peer-reviewed journals, multiple textbook chapters and taught high level, evidence-based manual therapy courses internationally since 1990. He works clinically as an advanced practice consultant triaging patients for imaging, laboratory investigations, medical interventions and surgery

www.mulligancanada.com | www.keyclinskills.ca 

 

Paincast is dedicated to bringing together researchers, clinicians, and students to discuss topics related to pain and physiotherapy. The primary purpose is to facilitate knowledge translation and critical thinking. Some episodes posit themselves as more educational than others, and some more opinionated than others. The listener is encouraged to listen critically. While there is an effort to incorporate research evidence, and the topics are always researched by the host, we recognize there is room for improvement and there is expertise in the community. As such, we invite constructive critique and that you inform us of any inadvertent errors, so that we may correct them. You may submit your feedback through this form: https://forms.gle/UFfbUHBh8uKwSKgS8

Follow Paincast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paincast.psd/

In this episode, we talked about:

Tess and Jane's experiences of developing pelvic pain, the progression of pain during their youth and early adulthood, and their healthcare journey

How healthcare encounters can be helpful or harmful to one's pain experience

The intricate interactions between biomechanical and psychological factors in chronic pain

The unique aspects of pelvic pain contrasted with typical musculoskeletal pain, especially in young women

 

A huge thank you to Tess and Jane for their generous sharing of their pain story.

 

Paincast is dedicated to bringing together researchers, clinicians, and students to discuss topics related to pain and physiotherapy. The primary purpose is to facilitate knowledge translation and critical thinking. Some episodes posit themselves as more educational than others, and some more opinionated than others. The listener is encouraged to listen critically. While there is an effort to incorporate research evidence, and the topics are always researched by the host, we recognize there is room for improvement and there is expertise in the community. As such, we invite constructive critique and that you inform us of any inadvertent errors, so that we may correct them. You may submit your feedback through this form: https://forms.gle/UFfbUHBh8uKwSKgS8

 

Follow Paincast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paincast.psd/

In this episode, you'll hear about

Two fascinating lived experiences of pain and chronic pain management principles unpacked by a physiotherapist and 2 physiotherapy students, Jules and Georgia

How pain affected these young ladies physically, psychologically, socially, and how that impact evolved as they progressed in their journey

When "pain education" helped and when it hurt, and how they reconciled it

The journey from being controlled by pain to taking control over pain

 

Jules and Georgia are physiotherapy students at the University of Alberta. They are also members of this year's Canadian Physiotherapy Association Pain Science Division Student Committee. A huge thank you to their generous sharing of their pain stories. Special acknowledgement to Jeff Vela, PT who kindly spoke and shared his insights in the episode.

 

Paincast is dedicated to bringing together researchers, clinicians, and students to discuss topics related to pain and physiotherapy. The primary purpose is to facilitate knowledge translation and critical thinking. Some episodes posit themselves as more educational than others, and some more opinionated than others. The listener is encouraged to listen critically. While there is an effort to incorporate research evidence, and the topics are always researched by the host, we recognize there is room for improvement and there is expertise in the community. As such, we invite constructive critique and that you inform us of any inadvertent errors, so that we may correct them. You may submit your feedback through this form: https://forms.gle/UFfbUHBh8uKwSKgS8

 

Follow Paincast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paincast.psd/