Pain science discussions for RMTs

Summary: At Intent Health Clinic, we’re passionate about staying up to date on current evidence and research. We've enjoyed hosting pain science discussion groups for Registered Massage Therapists in Vancouver.

To date, here are some of the topics we’ve discussed:

An overview of modern pain science and clinical implications

• Reconceptualising pain according to modern pain science (Moseley)

Contextual factors that affect patient outcomes

• Enhance placebo, avoid nocebo: How contextual factors affect physiotherapy outcomes (Testa)

• Placebo and the new physiology of the doctor-patient relationship (Benedetti)

Bridging the gap: Deconstruction of the biomechanical, postural and pathoanatomical models (Laviolette)

• The end of the structural model (Lederman)

• A physiotherapist reflects on current evidence vs the facts he learned in school

Panel discussion: Central sensitization (Haag, Purves and Dr. McIImoyle)

• An introduction to central sensitization (CS)

• Practice guidelines: How to explain CS to patients with unexplained chronic musculoskeletal pain (Nijs)

What can RMTs learn from motivational interviewing?

• An introduction to motivational interviewing

• Occupational therapist Dr. Bronnie Thompson

• Motivational interviewing in healthcare

Book club: Professionalism, communication and the therapeutic relationship

• Talking Body Listening Hands (Fitch)

Trauma-informed massage therapy

• College of Physical Therapists of BC’s webinar series on trauma-informed practice

• Handbook on Sensitive Practice for Health Care Practitioners: Lessons from Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Hospice Care and Narrative Medicine

• Palliative and Hospice Care in a Death Avoidant Culture (podcast)

• Honouring Stories of Illness - Dr. Rita Charon

Massage Myths

• 5 Myths and Truths about Massage Therapy. Letting Go Without Losing Heart

• Why Massage Myths Persist

Massage Therapy and Scar Tissue Management

Patients often come into our clinic for post-mastectomy or post top-surgery care. In order to best support them, our team of RMTs hosted a discussion night and brainstormed a list of possible treatment goals when working with folks who have scar tissue. Read our blog post on the topic!

What topic should we discuss next….?