In this episode of the Pain Podcast, Tim Beames and Bart Van Buchem tackle one of the most pressing challenges in pain care: how do we define success when pain doesn't go away?

They explore why the traditional pain scale often fails people with chronic conditions, and how clinicians can shift the narrative toward life expansion, not just pain elimination. From functional goals to emotional resilience, discover what meaningful progress really looks like — and why celebrating small wins can be transformative for both patients and therapists.

🎧 Topics include:

Perfect for clinicians, coaches, and anyone supporting people with persistent pain.

How do we respond when patients want immediate solutions to complex pain problems? In this reflective episode, Tim Beames and Bart Van Buchem explore one of the most common—and most challenging—clinical scenarios: the search for a quick fix.

Expect insights into:

The psychology of urgency and fear in persistent pain

Strategies for building rapport and redirecting unrealistic expectations

Tools and metaphors (like “green vs red glasses”) to reframe pain experiences

Real-life clinical stories that show how to meet patients where they are—without abandoning your professional values

Whether you’re a physio, doctor, or coach, this is essential listening for anyone working in complex care.

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What happens when prescribed exercises don’t land—or even backfire? In this conversation, Bart Van Buchem and Tim Beames explore how rigid prescriptions can often disconnect people from their recovery and how a more collaborative, curious approach can unlock movement confidence.

They discuss:

Why traditional exercise programs often fall short

The role of exploration, variability, and context in pain care

How to co-create meaningful movement that adapts to real life

Expect practical tips, clinical insights, and plenty of humour as Tim and Bart help you reimagine what movement in pain care can really look like.

In this episode of Le Pub Scientifique: The Pain Podcast, Tim Beames and Bart van Buchem unpack one of the most common—and misunderstood—parts of recovery: the pain setback. Together, they explore why flare-ups feel so derailing, how language shapes recovery narratives, and how to support patients when things go off track.

You’ll learn:

Why the word "setback" may be doing more harm than good

How to prepare patients for flare-ups using a proactive “toolbox” approach

How to reframe pain as a protective—not purely negative—experience

Practical ways to build safety, validate struggle, and avoid reinforcing fear or avoidance

This conversation blends science, clinical wisdom, and compassion—ideal for clinicians helping people with persistent pain, flare-ups, or cycles of progress and pause.

🎙️ Subscribe and share to help more clinicians and patients rethink recovery.

What does it really mean to “accept” chronic pain? Is it passive? Defeatist? Or could it be one of the most powerful tools in the pain recovery process?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Le Pub Scientifique Pain Podcast, Tim Beames joins host Bart van Buchem to explore how acceptance—far from meaning surrender—can provide a path toward self-understanding, reduced suffering, and renewed agency.

Drawing on clinical experience, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and lived narratives, Tim and Bart explore:

How acceptance differs from resignation

Why so many people resist the concept

Language and metaphors that resonate in clinical practice

How to support patients in moving from resistance to presence

The coexistence of pain relief strategies and acceptance

Real clinical examples and communication tips

Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or someone living with persistent pain, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical strategies for reframing pain as something to relate to, not battle.

Referenced resources include:

Lance McCracken’s ACT research

Bronnie Thompson’s work on “Living well with pain”

Le Pub’s Clinical Confidence Series with Laura Rathbone

🎧 Subscribe and follow for more episodes diving deep into pain science, human connection, and evidence-informed care.

🎙️ Hosts: Tim Beames & Bart Van Buchem

What if pain isn’t just about injury—but about how we predict movement? In this episode, Tim Beames and Bart Van Buchem unravel the deep connections between Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), exploring how pain and movement disorders often overlap and what that means for recovery.

🔍 What you'll learn:

💡 Bonus Resource: Interested in the research behind this discussion? Check out the 2018 paper by Stoyan Popkirov et al. on the CRPS & FND debate in Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2018-318298

🎧 Listen now and explore more pain science discussions at Le Pub Scientifique!

#PainScience #CRPS #FND #ChronicPain #MovementDisorders #PainRecovery

💡 What is Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), and how can healthcare professionals improve patient care and treatment outcomes?

In this episode, Bart Van Buchem explores the evolution of FND, from being historically misclassified as hysteria to its recognition as a complex neurological movement disorder. We dive into the latest treatment approaches, physiotherapy strategies, and multidisciplinary care models that are improving recovery outcomes for patients.

✅ The evolution of FND – From hysteria to neuroscience

00:00 – Intro

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📌 Website & Full Episode Notes: https://www.lepubscientifique.com/

💬 Enjoy this episode? Leave a review! It helps more healthcare professionals discover evidence-based approaches to pain and recovery.

Summary

In this conversation, Tim Beames and Bart Van Buchem explore the themes of unlocking lasting change in pain recovery, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, journaling, and setting meaningful goals. They discuss how creating conditions for well-being and the role of disruption can facilitate change in patients. The dialogue highlights the need for clinicians to support patients in their journey towards empowerment and recovery, focusing on the significance of noticing positives and building trust in the therapeutic relationship.

Takeaways

- Empowering patients is key to pain recovery.

Topics

pain recovery, behavior change, self-reflection, journaling, meaningful goals, well-being, disruption, therapeutic process, empowerment, chronic pain

Sound Bites

"Creating conditions for well-being"

Chapters

00:00 Unlocking Lasting Change in Pain Recovery

Useful Links

Le Pub Website: www.lepubscientifique.com 

Become a Le Pub member: https://www.lepubscientifique.com/premium-membership 

Contact us: [email protected]

Follow us:

Twitter: @lepubscientifiq

Instagram: @lepubscientifique

LinkedIn: @LePubScientifique

Recorded November 2024

Summary

In this episode, Bart Van Buchem and Tim Beames discuss the complexities of nociplastic pain, a relatively new classification of pain that arises from altered nociception without clear evidence of tissue damage. They explore the implications of this classification for clinical practice, the importance of understanding patient perspectives, and the cultural considerations that influence pain terminology. The conversation highlights the challenges of diagnosing nociplastic pain and emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of pain experiences, including psychological factors. They also touch on the upcoming science session featuring Jo Nijs, which aims to further explore these topics.

Takeaways

- Nociplastic pain is a significant and ongoing debate.

Topics

nociplastic pain, pain classification, chronic pain, pain management, clinical practice, pain terminology, patient perspectives, cultural considerations, pain complexity, treatment implications

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nociplastic Pain

Recorded November 2024

Useful Links

Le Pub Website: www.lepubscientifique.com 

Become a Le Pub member: https://www.lepubscientifique.com/premium-membership 

Contact us: [email protected]

Follow us:

Twitter: @lepubscientifiq

Instagram: @lepubscientifique

LinkedIn: @LePubScientifique

Summary

In this episode, Tim Beames and Bart discuss the pervasive issue of misinformation in pain management. They explore how unhelpful messaging affects patients' understanding of their pain and the role clinicians play in addressing these misconceptions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of replacing misinformation with accurate knowledge, navigating uncertainty in patient care, and the need for clinicians to adapt their approaches based on individual patient experiences and beliefs. The episode concludes with reflections on the ongoing journey of learning and growth in clinical practice.

Takeaways

- Misinformation can significantly impact patient beliefs about pain.

Topics

pain management, misinformation, patient care, clinician responsibility, chronic pain, therapeutic process, patient education, emotional responses, uncertainty, learning

Sound Bites

"We need to counter misinformation."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Context

Useful Links

Le Pub Website: www.lepubscientifique.com 

Become a Le Pub member: https://www.lepubscientifique.com/premium-membership 

Contact us: [email protected]

Follow us:

Twitter: @lepubscientifiq

Instagram: @lepubscientifique

LinkedIn: @LePubScientifique

Recorded June 2024