The Physical Therapist's Role In Managing Psychological Distress And Suicide Prevention With Ryan McGrath
Release Date: 04/10/2024
Pain Science Education
In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, speaks with physiotherapist and researcher Tash Pocovi, PhD about her groundbreaking study in the Lancet on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an individualized, progressive walking and education intervention for the prevention of low back pain recurrence. The trial, known as the Walk Back Trial, involved 24 physiotherapists across Australia who delivered an individualized and progressive walking program along with education. The participants, who were mostly sedentary, were given walking prescriptions tailored to their current activity levels,...
info_outlinePain Science Education
In this special webinar episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, and Rose Pignataro, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, a leading researcher and physical therapist specializing in health behavior change, discuss how healthy eating can relieve chronic pain. They also discuss strategies to help patients adhere to and sustain nutritional changes. For more information, please visit For CEU courses, please visit Love the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review. Thank you for listening. Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO Integrative Pain Science Institute
info_outlinePain Science Education
In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT speaks with Anthony Delitto, PT, PhD, FAPTA a leading researcher in musculoskeletal pain, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications and a career dedicated to improving pain care. Dr. Delitto led the groundbreaking TARGET Trial, a $13-million PCORI-funded study investigating how early intervention with physical therapy—specifically, psychologically-informed physical therapy—can prevent acute low back pain from becoming chronic. In this episode, we dive into the findings of the TARGET Trial, how primary care providers can be trained to recognize risk...
info_outlinePain Science Education
In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, and Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT present a webinar on the mental health physical therapist and the role of physical therapy in mental health. This webinar covers many topics, including: The role of the physical therapist in mental and behavioral health. Opportunities for physical therapy professionals to work in mental and behavioral health. Suggested education and training in mental health physical therapy. For CEU courses and the Mental Health Physical Therapist Certification, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course Love the show? Please...
info_outlinePain Science Education
In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, speaks with Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT, on becoming a mental health physical therapist. Dr. Fletcher has over two decades of experience in clinical practice, education, and administration. His work bridging physical therapy and mental health grew out of his experience in the military, teaching in doctor of physical therapy programs, working at the VA, and as the Chief Operating Officer of a $4M funded SAMSHA Certified Community Behavioral Health clinic. This conversation covers many topics, including: how mental health conditions like anxiety, depression,...
info_outlinePain Science Education
In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT speaks with Anna Weissman, a doctoral student in clinical psychology at York University in Canada. Anna’s research focuses on memory and includes developing memory-based interventions to treat chronic pain and further understand how our brains process painful memories. In today’s episode, we discuss how past experiences shape the way we perceive pain, what science reveals about the role of memory and chronic pain and the role of emotion in shaping painful memories. For more information, please visit For CEU courses, please visit Love...
info_outlinePain Science Education
In this week's episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast, we speak with Dr. David Spiegel, a renowned expert in the field of hypnosis. Dr. Spiegel has decades of experience studying the applications of hypnosis in managing chronic pain, non-communicable diseases, and even cancer. Our conversation delved into the evolution of hypnosis from its early misconceptions to its current status as a scientifically-backed therapeutic tool for pain relief. For show notes and additional resources, please visit For CEU courses, please visit Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. ...
info_outlinePain Science Education
In this episode, we speak with globally renowned pain researcher, Professor Lorimer Mosley. Lorimer is a clinician, scientist and educator whose investigates the role of the brain and the mind in chronic pain. He's a professor of clinical neurosciences and a foundation chair in physiotherapy at the University of South Australia. He has authored over 400 research articles and seven books on pain. He also leads a nonprofit organization called Pain Revolution, which you can learn more about by going to the website PainRevolution.org. On today's episode, we discuss new ways a clinician can deliver...
info_outlinePain Science Education
On this week's episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast, we explore the concept of pain resilience with our expert guest Dr. Drew Sturgeon. Dr Sturgeorn is a fellowship-trained licensed clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology. Dr. Sturgeon shares his journey into pain resilience, influenced by his mentor Dr. Alex Zoutra's work on adult resilience and adaptation in chronic pain. We discuss the growing interest in pain resilience and its distinction from pain vulnerability. Dr. Sturgeon emphasizes...
info_outlinePain Science Education
In this week's episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast, we delve into the intriguing and emerging field of psychedelic medicine for pain management. Our guest, Dr. Maya Armstrong, a board-certified physician in addiction and family medicine, shares her insights and research on this topic. Dr. Armstrong discusses her background and how her personal experience with chronic pain and her professional journey in addiction medicine led her to explore the potential of psychedelics in treating chronic pain. We explore the concept of pain as an emergent property of a complex system, emphasizing...
info_outlinePhysical therapists can and do play a role in promoting mental health wellness in patients, including managing psychological distress and even suicide prevention. In today's episode, Australian physiotherapist Ryan McGrath uncovers the ways that physical therapists can identify and address signs of psychological distress in their patients. He talks about yellow flags as well as red flags and how you can implement effective assessment and management strategies for things like pain, catastrophizing depression, and how to screen for suicide. Ryan’s PhD specifically looks at ways physiotherapists support clients with psychological distress. Whether you are a physical therapist, a physiotherapist, or another health professional, and if you're curious about the intersection of physical and mental health, this episode is for you.
For show notes, articles and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com
For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »