New Ways of Thinking About Pain

In this episode of Pain Talking, I sit down with my good friend, mentor and colleague ⁠Prof Mick Thacker⁠. Mick is one of the people I most respect in the world of pain. His perspective is shaped by pain science, philosophy and years of clinical work — but what matters most to me is that he never loses sight of the person. We start with Mick’s fascinating career and the questions that have driven it — questions about what pain is, how we understand it, and what our existing models may be missing. From there, we explore: Predictive processing Pain reprocessing therapy How newer language connects with ideas that have been around for some time The importance of assessment and clinical reasoning What can get lost when pain is made too simple How we offer hope without overstating certainty There is much in these approaches that we find useful, interesting and hopeful. There are also areas where we think it is worth looking more carefully at the claims being made, how these ideas are applied in practice, and what they might mean for the person living with pain. This is not about taking sides. It is about staying curious, being fair, and keeping the person at the centre of the conversation. Because better questions can lead to better understanding. And, hopefully, better care. With care, ⁠Richmond⁠ 🕊️🌿