PS- Unpacking the PsychoSocial Aspects of Chronic Pain

PS is a 6-week online continuing education course designed for licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who treat patients with persistent and complex pain. This course equips clinicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate psychological and social dimensions of pain into patient care, addressing barriers often encountered when traditional biomedical approaches fall short. Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, this course emphasizes the integration of contemporary pain neuroscience, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and cognitive manual therapy—including techniques targeting the subconscious, including interoceptive pathways (e.g., c-tactile fiber activation)—to optimize outcomes for patients struggling with chronic or disabling pain. Participants will critically evaluate maladaptive pain beliefs, develop advanced communication skills such as motivational interviewing, and design individualized, evidence-informed treatment strategies that prioritize function, self-efficacy, and long-term self-management. The course is delivered through a combination of self-paced online modules (4–6 hours total lecture and lab activities) and three live group sessions with the instructor for case-based learning and discussion. Participants will leave with practical frameworks and clinical tools they can apply immediately to their most challenging patient cases