Description: 

The world has an increasing population in pain, and pain is the most common reason that people seek out complementary therapies. Often these can be helpful. But there are many unanswered questions: What causes chronic pain anyway? What are the common misconceptions about pain? How does chronic pain change the nervous system? How do somatic therapies help? Are there ways in which work can be improved to benefit clients? What should we say to clients and doctors about pain?  When should we refer out, and to whom?  

Most somatic approaches involve no modern training about pain, but we think it can be invaluable. In the past few decades the science of pain has become far more relevant for somatic practitioners. Understanding the advances in pain science can help to develop optimal strategies for working with the unique challenges of a person with persistent pain.  

In this webinar we approach modern pain science in a way that is accessible for somatic practitioners. It is taught by two Alexander Technique teacher-scientists who have a lived experience of chronic pain. We’ll delve into the biological, psychological and social factors that contribute to pain in a systematic way that looks at the whole picture. We’ll focus discussions on how somatic practices relate to a modern understanding of pain science as well as pain management and recovery. We will look at the success of emerging interventions for pain and highlight the unique contributions that somatic practices bring. 

Each week we will cover one or two modules. Participants will work through course content before the week’s live session.  This entails participant’s watching approximately 1 hour of pre-recorded video lecture, writing a short essay to bridge their practice and experience to the course content and answering a multiple-choice quiz to reinforce important concepts. There is also optional reading for those who want to go deeper on particular topics.  

Learning goals – Participants will: 

• Recognize the multidimensional and multifactorial nature of pain experience
• Understand the pain system, including the protective nature of pain and how it can become maladaptive
• Think critically about and articulate how somatic practices may influence pain