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Course Description:

Multiple regulatory bodies have now asserted that the best practice for assessing and treating pain conditions involves the biopsychosocial model of pain, including the cognitive, sensory, and emotional aspects, as well as the overall impact on an individual’s functioning. This also includes providing patients with information relating to pain neurophysiology and their personalized pain experience, more formally referred to as pain neuroscience education. An expanding body of research has shown that as pain becomes more persistent, pain processing in brain regions is altered, with increased neural activity in the limbic system and changes in connectivity among the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, among others. These same brain regions, in addition to the brain-autonomic nervous system connection and HPA axis, metabolic and immune system functionality, have also been determined to be involved in the neurophysiological and neurobiological mechanisms related to trauma and post-traumatic states, including elevated anxiety, depression, and stress. Multiple other lifestyles, personalities, and social determinants of health factors also influence the onset and chronicity of pain.

This presentation will guide the participant through the interrelating neurophysiological and neurobiological mechanisms of co-occurring trauma and pain, the impact on the dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system and overall health, the relationships between interoception and self-regulation, and the role that the rehabilitation professional (including physical therapy) can play in assessing and addressing these components with integration into any practice setting when working with clients with complex trauma and pain states. An interdisciplinary approach will be highlighted; however, all participants will leave with an increased knowledge base to apply in their respective practices, integrating recommended intervention approaches upon return to their client caseloads on Monday, with real-life patient examples and applications provided throughout, as well as ample time for discussion.

Course Objectives:

 Participants will be able to describe the key components of the neuroscience of pain and how it interrelates with the neurophysiology of trauma.

 Participants will be able to discuss the role of client trauma and its influence on pain experience.

Participants will be able to identify additional varied factors that impact chronic pain.

Participants will be able to recognize intervention approaches that promote the integration of a trauma-informed approach into the treatment of co-occurring complex pain within a rehabilitation-based model of practice.

Christa Lombardo Ploof
Idahophysicaltherapyassn@gmail.com