The Pain Game: Tackling Chronic Challenges with Clinical Confidence

This workshop brings together broad expertise in the chronic pain field.

Hear about a new project in Port Macquarie to Build Partnerships for Regional Pain Care.

We will consider mechanisms at work in chronic pain, pharmacological and cognitive interventions, and the use of manual therapies and exercise to interrupt the chronic pain loop. You will also join your colleagues in workshopping case studies through clinical reasoning.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain great insights to enhance your work in this challenging field.

Workshop Presenters & Topics:

Dr Ian Skinner - Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy/ Assistant Dean (Graduate Research), Charles Sturt University

Dr Ian Skinner is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy / Assistant Dean (Graduate Research), Charles Sturt University. His work focuses on improving pain care in regional and rural communities through collaborative, place-based research. Ian has led and contributed to multiple nationally funded projects, including MRFF and NHMRC trials addressing chronic pain, spinal cord injury, and musculoskeletal health. His research is grounded in community engagement and co-design, with recent projects focusing on chronic pain models of care in Port Macquarie and humanitarian health services in Wagga Wagga.

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Dr Chris Brunsdon: Anaesthetist, Port Macquarie

Dr Brundon is an Anaesthetist who has been residing and practising and in Port Macquarie for the past 15 years. He has an interest in all aspects of pain medicine and treatment.  He is partway through a Pain Specialist Training program offered through the Hunter Integrated Pain Service (HIPS) in Newcastle. Chris is aiming to set up a Pain Specialist service for the Mid North Coast within the next few years.

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Adam Cabble: Private Exercise Physiologist, Wauchope

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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Dr Adam King: General Practitioner, Port Macquarie

Dr Adam King has been a GP in Port Macquarie for 21 years. He owns three medical practices in the Port Macquarie district, and he provides care from ‘womb to tomb’ for his patients. Adam has special interests in sports and orthopedic medicine, and has been an assistant orthopedic surgeon for the past 17 years. He is also a conjoint lecturer at University of NSW.  In addition, Adam has his own story of lived experience with chronic pain. 

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David Elvish: Physiotherapist, Newcastle

David Elvish is an APA Titled Pain Physiotherapist based in Newcastle who has worked in the field of vocationally-oriented injury and pain management for more than 30 years.  David is currently a registrar in the specialist training program with the Australian College of Physiotherapists.  He is Managing Director of Workplace Physiotherapy and a Co-director of Innervate Pain Management, working within a diverse interdisciplinary team alongside pain specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, OTs, other APA titled pain physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, nurses and pharmacists.  In addition, David has undertaken an Independent Physiotherapy Consultant role with SIRA NSW over the last 25 years involving assessment and collaborative formulation of management strategies for injured workers receiving treatment through allied health peers.  More recently, David has been involved in advanced practice research projects through the University of Sydney and Queensland. 

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This event is proudly supported by: