Pain Speak

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Dr Abrar Hussain is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, specialising in general adult and liaison psychiatry at the interface of physical and psychological health. He has worked with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) for around fifteen years, runs a specialist NHS FND service, is a member of the FND Hope UK Medical Expert Committee, advises the patient-led Neuro-log platform, and served as a Principal Investigator within the national CODES trial for dissociative seizures. He is a newly published author of the book "I can heal - A journey through FND" - Link below
In this episode, I sit down to chat with a good friend and colleague, Abrar with another perspective towards a condition like FND that has pain as one of its main symptoms and where the neuroscience is starting to show lots of similarities with pain. We explore Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), emphasizing the importance of relational, biopsychosocial approaches, validation, and the integration of psychological and neurological care.

 keywords

FND, neurological disorder, biopsychosocial, validation, relational psychiatry, trauma, multidisciplinary care, mental health, pain management, patient-centered care

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to FND and its challenges
01:59 Dr. Hussain's background and motivation in FND
04:01 Understanding the holistic approach to FND
06:09 Explaining FND to patients: language and validation
08:06 The concept of sense-making in FND
09:22 Relational psychiatry and its application in FND
11:57 Patient journey and systemic barriers
13:27 Symptoms as expressions of the nervous system
16:00 Screening for trauma and stress in FND patients
20:04 The FND service in Berkshire and multidisciplinary pathways
22:08 Role of primary care and community support
23:56 Overlap between FND and persistent pain
25:55 Mental health comorbidities in FND
27:55 Psychological therapies: CAT and EMDR
31:06 Dr. Hussain's upcoming book on FND
33:02 Resources and online tools for FND awareness
35:00 Final messages and hope for FND patients

Resources
Dr Hussains website https://www.berkshirepsychiatrist.co.uk/
https://www.drabrarhussain.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-abrar-hussain-b2923747/
His book: I can heal https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1065401507/ref=asc_df_1065401507?mcid=69c6ea6ec7f338ed939e6cf1831d0efe&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=799489365597&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4928001865647588019&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045969&hvtargid=pla-2503325594760&psc=1&hvocijid=4928001865647588019-1065401507-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for education and general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing pain or distress, please consult your healthcare professional. 
Please provide a feedback and comments on the podcast and any questions that you may have.

If you enjoyed it please rate and leave a review on Spotify/Apple podcasts and tell a friend about this show.

The Pain Speak podcast is presented by Prof Deepak Ravindran, a NHS Consultant specialising in Pain and Lifestyle Medicine. Dr Ravindran is also the author of the book, 'The Pain Free Mindset'

Get in touch:
Twitter: @deepakravindra5
Instagram: drdeepakravindran
Website: www.deepakravindran.co.uk
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DrDeepakRavindran
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drdeepakravindran5361
For Clinical Queries and consultations, please go to Berkshire Pain Clinic

Order a copy of the Pain Free Mindset here

For Season 1 and 3:
Mixed and edited by Rob Cao at...

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In this episode, I interview Professor Peter O'Sullivan about his pioneering work in cognitive functional therapy (CFT) for persistent musculoskeletal pain. We explore the science, philosophy, and clinical application of CFT, emphasizing hope, confidence, and a biopsychosocial approach to pain management.
Peter is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor at the School of Allied Health Sciences at Curtin University, and a practicing Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. CFT has demonstrated efficacy in numerous clinical trials, including a recent landmark trial published in The Lancet (restorebackpain.com). With his team he has published more than 372 scientific papers. With his team Peter has developed a social enterprise to support clinician training in cognitive functional therapy called evoolvepaincare.academy. 
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Peter O'Sullivan and his work
02:18 Peter's journey from traditional physiotherapy to CFT
06:44 The shift from pathology-focused to person-centered care
09:01 Core principles of cognitive functional therapy
12:10 The patient journey and clinical process in CFT
17:30 The importance of time and relationship in effective care
23:07 Key findings from the Restore Trial
26:27 Mediators and moderators of treatment success
28:48 The role of movement and confidence in recovery
36:33 Differentiating CFT from other psychological approaches
44:40 Building clinician skills and confidence in pain management
52:58 Training, implementation, and global dissemination of CFT
01:00:57 The future of pain science and research
01:06:09 Final message of hope and empowerment for patients

Resources
Evolve Pain Acadmy: https://evoolvepaincare.academy/
Socia media
https://www.instagram.com/evoolvepaincareacademy/
https://www.facebook.com/evoolvepaincare.academy/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/evoolvepaincareacademy/

Dr Rangan Chatterjee Podcast: https://drchatterjee.com/how-to-break-free-from-chronic-pain-and-reclaim-your-life-with-professor-peter-osullivan/
Restore Back pain Trial: https://www.restorebackpain.com/
Linkedin link here
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for education and general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing pain or distress, please consult your healthcare professional. 
Please provide a feedback and comments on the podcast and any questions that you may have.

If you enjoyed it please rate and leave a review on Spotify/Apple podcasts and tell a friend about this show.

The Pain Speak podcast is presented by Prof Deepak Ravindran, a NHS Consultant specialising in Pain and Lifestyle Medicine. Dr Ravindran is also the author of the book, 'The Pain Free Mindset'

Get in touch:
Twitter: @deepakravindra5
Instagram: drdeepakravindran
Website: www.deepakravindran.co.uk
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DrDeepakRavindran
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drdeepakravindran5361
For Clinical Queries and consultations, please go to Berkshire Pain Clinic

Order a copy of the Pain Free Mindset here

For Season 1 and 3:
Mixed and edited by Rob Cao at...

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, i got the opportunity to interview a person I hugely admire. He is  the person most responsible for putting Functional Neurological Disordeer (FND) on the scientific map. Professor Jon Stone is Professor of Neurology at the University of Edinburgh. Since 1999, he has published over 400 papers, built the world's most widely used patient resource for FND — neurosymptoms.org — and led on international diagnostic criteria.
As you may know, FND is a real, disabling, neurological condition. It affects how the brain processes and generates movement, sensation and — critically for this audience — pain. It is not feigning. It is not malingering. And for many patients, it is treatable. 
keywords

FND, pain, neurology, diagnosis, treatment, neuroimmune, predictive processing, multidisciplinary rehab
key topics

FND as a neurological condition affecting movement and sensation
The overlap between FND and chronic pain conditions
Diagnostic signs like Hoover sign and tremor entrainment
The neuroimmune and predictive processing models of FND
Multidisciplinary approaches to FND and pain management
Chapters

00:00 Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
03:15 The Intersection of FND and Pain
07:44 Defining FND in Modern Medicine
11:28 Clinical Signs and Diagnosis of FND
13:29 FND as a Software Problem
15:52 Prevalence of Chronic Pain in FND Patients
19:08 Mechanisms Behind FND and Pain Overlap
21:10 Reconciling CRPS and FND
23:08 Understanding the Overlap in Pain Conditions
30:26 Predictive Processing and Its Role in FND
35:58 Interdisciplinary Approaches to FND Treatment
43:31 The Role of Pain Physicians in Managing FND
46:15 Resources for Learning About FND

 Resources

neurosymptoms.org - https://neurosymptoms.org
International FND Society - https://fndhope.org
FND in chronic pain clinics: 2023 -  DOI: 10.1111/ene.15892 
CRPS and FND : 2018:  Popkirov S, Hoeritzauer i, Colvin L, doi:10.1136/jnnp-2018 318298 
Pain and FND 2024 review:  Steinruecke M, Mason I, Keen M, et al. J doi:10.1136/jnnp-2023 332810 
Migraine and FND 2025 review:  https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcaf288 
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for education and general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing pain or distress, please consult your healthcare professional. 
Please provide a feedback and comments on the podcast and any questions that you may have.

If you enjoyed it please rate and leave a review on Spotify/Apple podcasts and tell a friend about this show.

The Pain Speak podcast is presented by Prof Deepak Ravindran, a NHS Consultant specialising in Pain and Lifestyle Medicine. Dr Ravindran is also the author of the book, 'The Pain Free Mindset'

Get in touch:
Twitter: @deepakravindra5
Instagram: drdeepakravindran
Website: www.deepakravindran.co.uk
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DrDeepakRavindran
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drdeepakravindran5361
For Clinical Queries and consultations, please go to Berkshire Pain Clinic

Order a copy of the Pain Free Mindset here

For Season 1 and 3:
Mixed and edited by Rob Cao at...

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode , I sit down with good friend and colleague Rodger Duckworth and explore one of the most fascinating frontiers in pain medicine—the intersection of trauma, touch, physiology, psychology and healing.
Rodger has spent more than three decades evolving from conventional physiotherapy into a practitioner integrating neuroscience, autonomic regulation, body psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, EMDR and much more. he is truly one of a kind and his thinking and treatment style reflects that personalised approach. 
Some of these ideas may challenge your assumptions. Others may resonate deeply with your own experience. Drop a comment and let us know how this conversation felt to you. 
keywords
trauma, holistic health, somatic experiencing, PNIE, fascia, manual therapy, healing, pain management, integrative medicine
key topics
The influence of trauma and past experiences on pain
The role of fascia and fascial therapy in healing
The connection between mind, body, and spirit in health
The importance of therapeutic relationship and trust
The concept of PNIE (psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinology) and its relevance
The use of touch and neuroaffective touch in therapy
The impact of developmental trauma and early life experiences
The integration of Zen philosophy and mindfulness in healing
The evolving landscape of holistic and integrative medicine
Practical advice for clinicians working with complex trauma and pain
Chapters

00:00 The Complexity of Pain
02:26 Roger Duckworth's Journey in Physiotherapy
06:28 Mind-Body Connection and Personal Healing
09:24 The Mind-Body Dualism Debate
11:33 Understanding the PNIE System
14:30 Somatic Experiencing and Its Relation to PNIE
20:01 Neuroaffective Touch and Therapeutic Touch
29:28 The Importance of Fascia in Health
35:48 Manual Therapy: Benefits and Limitations
41:49 Creating Safe Spaces for Survivors
50:23 The Influence of Zen Philosophy on Healing
55:47 Hope for the Future of Integrative Medicine

Links:
The Grange
RD physio website: https://www.rdphysio.com/

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for education and general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing pain or distress, please consult your healthcare professional. 
Please provide a feedback and comments on the podcast and any questions that you may have.

If you enjoyed it please rate and leave a review on Spotify/Apple podcasts and tell a friend about this show.

The Pain Speak podcast is presented by Prof Deepak Ravindran, a NHS Consultant specialising in Pain and Lifestyle Medicine. Dr Ravindran is also the author of the book, 'The Pain Free Mindset'

Get in touch:
Twitter: @deepakravindra5
Instagram: drdeepakravindran
Website: www.deepakravindran.co.uk
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DrDeepakRavindran
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drdeepakravindran5361
For Clinical Queries and consultations, please go to Berkshire Pain Clinic

Order a copy of the Pain Free Mindset here

For Season 1 and 3:
Mixed and edited by Rob Cao at...

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, I sit down to chat with Jeannie Di Bon—movement therapist, educator, founder of The Zebra Club, author, and creator of the Integral Movement Method. Through both professional expertise and lived experience, she has helped thousands of people rethink movement not as something to fear, but as a pathway towards confidence, resilience and recovery.. 
When most people think about hypermobility, they imagine someone who's simply very flexible. But for many people, hypermobility comes with persistent pain, fatigue, autonomic symptoms, gastrointestinal problems, anxiety, neurodivergence, repeated injuries, and years of being misunderstood.
Today we're exploring a movement that is changing that narrative.

keywords

hypermobility, EDS, Zebra Club, pain management, movement therapy, neurodivergence, chronic pain, patient support, NHS, integrative movement
key topics

Hypermobility and EDS diagnosis journey
The Integral Movement Method and its principles
The role of breath, proprioception, and nervous system regulation
Community support through the Zebra Club
Impact of misconceptions and the importance of early diagnosis
The overlap between hypermobility, neurodivergence, and mental health
Challenges within NHS pathways and the need for integrated care
Research and future directions in hypermobility and pain management
Chapters

00:00 Understanding Hypermobility and Its Challenges
03:01 Jeannie Di Bon's Personal Journey with EDS
05:58 The Birth of the Integral Movement Method
08:55 The Zebra Club: A Community for Hypermobility
12:01 The Role of Education and Awareness in EDS
14:49 The Biopsychosocial Model in Pain Management
18:04 Innovative Approaches to Movement Therapy
20:56 The Importance of Breath and Proprioception
23:52 Challenges in Traditional Rehabilitation for Hypermobility
26:57 The Evolving Landscape of EDS Awareness
29:58 Future Directions for Hypermobility Care
33:38 Fragmentation and Community Support
34:45 Hypermobility and Neurodivergence
36:41 Understanding Misconceptions in EDS
38:46 The Role of Clinicians in EDS Care
43:00 Community Collaboration with Clinical Models
48:30 Transformative Patient Stories
51:34 Future Directions in EDS Research

Resources
Website
The Zebra Club : https://thezebra.club/
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for education and general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing pain or distress, please consult your healthcare professional. 
Please provide a feedback and comments on the podcast and any questions that you may have.

If you enjoyed it please rate and leave a review on Spotify/Apple podcasts and tell a friend about this show.

The Pain Speak podcast is presented by Prof Deepak Ravindran, a NHS Consultant specialising in Pain and Lifestyle Medicine. Dr Ravindran is also the author of the book, 'The Pain Free Mindset'

Get in touch:
Twitter: @deepakravindra5
Instagram: drdeepakravindran
Website: www.deepakravindran.co.uk
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DrDeepakRavindran
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drdeepakravindran5361
For Clinical Queries and consultations, please go to Berkshire Pain Clinic

Order a copy of the Pain Free Mindset here

For Season 1 and 3:
Mixed and edited by Rob Cao at...