PAIN FROM AN OT PERSPECTIVE

FRIDAY 13^th FEBRUARY, 2026  – 08:00 – 16:00

PRESENTED BY MITCHELL FURNESS.

Chronic pain management is a major and growing challenge for patients, healthcare professionals and the global healthcare system. Pain science can be quite disheartening as a topic – as there are no magic bullets or quick fixes in treating chronic pain. This can make engaging with this condition difficult, with the result that occupational therapists might choose to avoid exploring this area. Of all the approaches used in the treatment of chronic pain, occupational therapy shows some of the most promising results but remains relatively unknown to the public and other healthcare practitioners.

This workshop aims to introduce pain science and unveil the role of occupational thera-py in chronic pain rehabilitation. The goal is to take the science and help occupational therapists translate it into tangible, clinical concepts and tools. It is suitable for new or experienced therapists wishing to gain a broader understanding in this area. We will be reviewing the most recent and relevant approaches and technologies for the care and management of chronic pain. Topics to be covered include:

Pain Science Made Simple Learn about the basic neuroscience of pain, and the interrela-tionship between physiological, psychological, environmental and occupational process-es in pain perception.

Pain Assessment in Occupational Therapy Practice Gain an overview of how to assess patients with pain (acute and chronic), and using assessment findings guide diagnostic, rehabilitation and occupation-related care plans

Interventions for Common Clinical Pain Syndromes Explore the different approaches to treat chronic pain, current available evidence on their efficacy and relevance in various occupational therapy settings. Discover how occupational therapists can implement effective interventions through therapeutic neuroscience education, psychological approaches, functional rehabilitation, soft tissue therapy and assistive technology.

This workshop will be delivered in a casual manner with inspiring recovery stories and short gentle yoga breaks (to make your experience as pain free as possible). You will leave with a better foundational knowledge and understanding in this emerging area of practice for occupational therapists.

About the Presenter.

Mitchell Furness is a Senior Occupational Therapist at LifeWorksOT, a practice specialising in complex health conditions and chronic pain management. Mitchell has led the provision of Scrambler Therapy, an advanced electrical neuromodulation intervention, for the past two years and has over two years’ experience delivering occupational therapy interventions for chronic pain clients. He is passionate about integrating emerging and advanced technologies into OT practice, including biofeedback, neuromodulation, and immersive digital therapeutics such as virtual reality. In 2024, Mitchell was an invited panellist at the OT Exchange, contributing to discussions on the role of emerging technologies in occupational therapy. Mitchell brings a wealth of practical experience and innovation to the ‘Pain from an OT perspective’ course.