The Pain Game: Tackling Chronic Challenges with Clinical Confidence

A workshop for allied health practitioners on the Mid North Coast

This workshop brings together a wide range of expertise on the topic of chronic pain, all with high relevance for AHPs working in the multi-disciplinary response to this challenging field.

Hear about a recent research initiatives into chronic pain, and gain insights into GP management of pain.

The forum will also consider mechanisms at work in chronic pain, cognitive interventions, and the use of manual therapies and exercise to interrupt the negative neural loops that can be a feature of chronic pain conditions. 

Then join with your colleagues in an exercise with case studies and clinical reasoning. 

Workshop Presenters & Topics:

Professor Chris Williams - Research Development Manager, Mid North Coast Local Health District and Director of Research at the University of Sydney's University Centre for Rural Health  

Chris has held consultancies with the WHO and is co-chair of the recently established Raising Equity and Access to Clinical Trial Special Interest Group for the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance. Chris has professional qualifications in Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, and 15 years’ experience in population health program management. He is dedicated to improving health and wellbeing in rural communities through collaborative, high-quality and practical research. His research interests include reducing the burden of musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain and associated chronic diseases over the life course. 

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Dr Annemarie Winters

Dr Annemarie Winters hails from the Netherlands and arrived in Australia in 2001 to undertake a medical elective. Her posting was with the Royal Flying Doctors in Broken Hill, where she fell in love with Australia, and also with an Australian orthopaedic surgeon in training. She completed her GP training in 2012, worked in skin cancer clinics and during COVID returned to the public hospital system and emergency medicine. In recent times Annemarie has worked for the Regional Training Hub in Grafton with a focus on increasing the local rural medical workforce. She is now part of a University of Sydney research team, led by Prof Chris Williams, looking into treatment models for chronic back pain patients. She is currently also undertaking further studies with James Cook University -  a postgrad diploma in Lifestyle Medicine.

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Roberta Power - Physiotherapist, Coffs Harbour

Roberta is a highly experienced physiotherapist with over 25 years of clinical practice, with a special interest in the assessment, management and recovery of chronic pain. In 2019, Roberta was one of the key developers of the Coffs Harbour Chronic Pain Service, contributing to the design and implementation of a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain management. She also works within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) delivering an outreach clinic for individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) pain, providing evidence-based assessment, education, and rehab aimed at optimising function and reducing pain. Roberta is currently involved in three research projects focussing on improving access to care and outcomes for people living with persistent pain in rural and regional communities.

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Adam Cabble - Exercise Physiologist, Port Macquarie

New to Port Macquarie, Adam brings 14 years of experience as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. In recent times Adam has taken on a leadership role in training, educating, and mentoring clinicians across Australia in effective spinal rehabilitation - while also maintaining a busy clinical caseload. He current works at Wauchope Physiotherapy and Sports Rehab Centre. Adam is also undertaking a PhD investigating the impact of exercise training variables on chronic low back pain. He is passionate about guiding people back to wellness, helping them move beyond restriction and discomfort to achieve a healthier, more active life through movement and exercise.

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Lisa Abraham - Clinical Psychologist, Coffs Harbour 

Lisa Abraham is a clinical psychologist with experience supporting adults with chronic pain and complex health conditions. She worked at the Chronic Pain Service at Coffs Harbour Hospital until 2022 and now practices privately. Lisa also contributes to research at the University Centre for Rural Health (UCRH) with A/Prof Chris Williams, focusing on lifestyle interventions for chronic pain (in-person vs telehealth) and clinician training programs to enhance confidence and communication skills when working with people in pain.

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Ray Chen - Physiotherapist/psychologist, Coffs Harbour 

Ray Chen works as an Integrative and Pain Specialist Physiotherapist. He has a background in physiotherapy, psychology, and mindfulness and aims to treat the whole person. After going through his own accident and pain journey, Ray has been better able to treat with an empathetic and holistic approach that considers the patient's physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Ray currently leads the Mid North Coast Allied Health (MNCAH) persistent pain program at MNCAH which uses an integrative evidence-based approach that is targeted at the individual. He delivers group education and virtual one-on-one sessions, helping coach clients through chronic and complex pain conditions.

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This event is proudly supported by: