Niamh & Martin Q&A webinar Pain Science

Pain science and psychologically informed physiotherapy are the main focus here, with particular attention to low back pain and broader musculoskeletal practice. Niamh Maloney and Martin Revy outline how their clinical and academic backgrounds led them from a biomedical model toward a more biopsychosocial understanding of pain, influenced by mentors, research, and clinical experience. Key themes include the difference between pain science for clinicians and pain education for patients, using the “iceberg” idea: therapists need deep background knowledge, while patients need explanations tailored to their situation. The discussion also covers practical tools such as screening questionnaires, bubble diagrams, and the “cup full of stressors” model to organize contributing factors like sleep, stress, beliefs, movement, and comorbidities. They explain how to become more confident with psychosocial issues in practice, stressing compassionate listening, clear professional boundaries, and referral when needed. Other topics include fear of movement, exposure to feared activities, empowerment, and how clinical reasoning applies to nociplastic pain. Learners can expect a practical, reflective overview of how modern pain management integrates physical, psychological, and social dimensions.