Painful Conversations

Ben is a medical science graduate, third year medical student and marathoner. He has been involved in basic pain research and more recently looking at the benefits of pain education as part of activity and exercise programs for people with chronic pain. He talks to us today about pain and the good, the bad and the ugly of long distance running.

Ali Asghari is a clinical psychologist and has worked in the Pain Management & Research Centre at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney for almost 30 years. He has been involved in the treatment of soldiers experiencing post traumatic stress in the Iran/Iraq conflict and is still involved in supporting people with chronic pain. He has also made a major international contribution to the field through his research both in Australia and Iran. He speaks about some of these experiences and his perspective on life and pain.

Amal has had a long and distinguished career in the field of pain management. She had a senior nursing role within the pain clinic team at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney over a span of more than 25 years. As well as making a major contribution as an educator, she had a leading role in the profession as President of the Australian Pain Society. In this interview, she speaks about that pain management, her life and very candidly and openly talks of her own experiences of pain.

Robin is a highly experienced clinical psychologist, working in the area of pain management for many years. She has travelled extensively, living and working in Europe, the USA and Africa. She is also a keen open water swimmer, braving any weather all year round in Sydney Harbour. Robin speaks about her life across multiple continents, her own experiences of pain, and her insights on what can keep us going through those times.

Phil is an osteopath and has worked clinically in Europe, New Zealand and Australia. He also has a doctorate in pain research and has gone on to study some fascinating areas of pain. In addition, he has a prominent role in education and lectures around the world. Phil speaks about his life, from British army recruit to osteopath, his research and the challenges of scaling Everest.

Rebecca is a physiotherapist who has worked for many years as a physiotherapist in private practice and hospital pain clinics in Sydney, Australia.

Until recently, she was also a nun with the Catholic religious order – the Sisters of Mercy. In this episode, she speaks about her life as a physiotherapist, nun and now ex-nun and the perspective that has given her on pain and life.