Pain Speak Podcast
Let’s face it, you’re busy: busy caring for patients, busy with ward rounds, conference papers, an overflowing inbox and all things medicine. Dr Deepak Ravindran is no stranger to the demands of being a specialist. So, understanding that time is precious and conversations can change lives – this disruptive and upstreamist doctor wants to shake things up!
Podcasts are a good solution for swamped professionals to stay up-to-date on industry happenings and even learn a thing or two about shifts in science, ground-breaking procedures and how we can do things differently. In this collection of stories and interviews, we will debunk the medical myths, trigger content that matters and speak to the innovators behind the future of medicine.
If you are looking to understand how to manage pain the unconventional way and explore how daring to be different is the new way forward, tune in here where we will release new episodes on Pain Speak.
The Pain Speak Podcast Collection
Longcovid – How to beat Brain Fog Part 2 with Dr Sabina Brennan
Welcome to the second part of this 2 part episode where I speak to Dr Sabina Brennan.
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Sabina is a clinical psychologist, neuroscientist, fellow podcaster and best-selling author of her book on how to beat brain fog.
As we know, brain fog and cognitive dysfunction is one of the most common symptoms noted in Longcovid. Treatments are still emerging and I thought it would be fascinating and hugely useful to hear from a researcher and scientist and someone with lived experience herself on how to overcome brain fog. Sabrina discusses the reasons for brain fog, the present causes and the treatment option available, and why we must pay attention.
In this episode, we delve deeper into how her 4-week program can really help with brain fog reduction in a careful evidence-based manner. There are no quick fixes here however Sabina shows that done properly, there can be lasting recovery from something as complex as brain fog.
29 July 2021
Longcovid – How to beat Brain Fog Part 1 with Dr Sabina Brennan
In the episode, I speak to Dr Sabina Brennan, a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist.
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Sabina is a clinical psychologist, neuroscientist, fellow podcaster, and best-selling author of her book on how to beat brain fog.
It has been a hugely gratifying and humbling experience to get the chance to set up the Longcovid Service for Berkshire and work with a great team from primary and community care. It has been 7 months now and we are still learning every day about the condition of Longcovid and how it seems to affect multiple systems. Right now we continue to offer them support, a listening ear, appropriate testing and treatments where available in a trauma-informed manner.
As we know, brain fog and cognitive dysfunction is one of the most common symptoms noted in Longcovid. Treatments are still emerging and I thought it would be a fascinating and hugely useful idea to hear it from a researcher and scientist and someone with lived experience herself on how to overcome this.
This is a cracking episode and in fact, I had to break it up into 2 episodes. I hope you enjoy the show.
27 July 2021
Pain Speak Special – The Painful Truth with Dr Monty Lyman
This Pain Speak Special focusing on a new book on pain “The Painful Truth” by Dr Monty Lyman.
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“The Painful Truth” by Oxford-based junior doctor and academic scholar Dr Monty Lyman was released on 15th July. This becomes the 7th book on pain released in the UK in just the 6 months of this year!
We’re currently experiencing a Renaissance in pain science and it is great to add Monty’s book to this fantastic list of resources for our patients and the general public and for anyone interested in knowing more about pain science.
In recent years our understanding of pain has altered so radically it’s fair to say that everything we thought we knew about pain is wrong. I made the case in my book as well. As Dr Monty Lyman reveals, we misunderstand pain – with harmful consequences. This is Dr Monty Lymans second book. His first one ” The Remarkable Life of the Skin” was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize. He is a remarkable storyteller and in this book, The Painful Truth, he explores and presents cutting-edge research, encompassing phantom aches to persistent pain, and interviews survivors of torture as well as those who have never felt pain.
18 July 2021
Longcovid – Chat with Darren Brown Co-Founder of LongCovid Physio
In this episode, I speak to the Co-Founder of Longcovid.Physio, Darren Brown.
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Darren Brown, Co-Founder of Longcovid.Physio. – global peer support and advocacy group for Physiotherapists (Physical Therapists) and support workers living with Long COVID.
He is a clinical and academic Physiotherapist specialising in the field of HIV, disability and rehabilitation and leads the HIV rehabilitation service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Darren contracted COVID-19 in March 2020 and continues to live with Long COVID. An advocate for Long COVID research, he has become a familiar person enabling meaningful engagement of people living with Long COVID in all responses to COVID-19. Darren has an impressive day job in London already and he has helped amass an incredible set of resources for patients and healthcare professionals through this website.
I hope you enjoy the show.
17 May 2021
Longcovid – What can be done about loss of taste and smell?
In this episode, I speak to associate Professor Jane Parker based at the University of Reading.
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Professor Jane Parker based at the University of Reading as well as a Trustee and Advisor to the charity Abscent. A chemist by training, she is based at the Flavour Centre and has had huge experience of work around olfaction and food smells. With previous experience of looking after people with smell disorders in other viral infections and brain injury, she is the right person to talk to us about taste and smell and the strange changes that happen in some people after COVID 19.
She talks to us in great detail about anosmia (complete loss of smell) and parosmia (altered smells) and how it can be managed and treated.
Find out more about the Abscent Charity here
Click here to know more about smell retraining.
12 May 2021
Longcovid – Viewpoints from occupational health services
In this episode, I speak to my consultant colleague Dr Blandina Blackburn, Occupational Health Consultant.
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Dr.Blackburn has been working with the staff at the Royal Berkshire for many years and is a hugely respected national figure in Occupational Health and represented her profession at the highest levels.
We had recently collaborated to write an article for the Journal Occupational Health@work.
In the podcast episode, I wrongly mention it as an editorial so apologies for the error. Please find the link at https://www.atworkpartnership.co.uk/journal/issue/17_5/contents/long-covid-and-its-implications-at-work
She has been invaluable in providing a clear sounding board for many patients who haven’t been able to go back to work and this includes a large number of the NHS workforce. There is a lot of confusion prevailing right now as to how a return to work can be established when we are still learning about the long terms effects of post-Covid, so I am glad that Blandina can inform us about the complexities and suggest a way forward for now. Rulings are likely to change and we might have her coming back once we know more about the condition and laws change and courts make further announcements.
11 May 2021
Longcovid – What are the effects on the brain?
In this episode, I speak to my consultant colleague Dr Abrar Hussain, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Berkshire Health Foundation Trust.
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Dr Abrar Hussain, is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Berkshire health Foundation Trust and the lead for the Medically Unexplained Services locally and supporting people with Functional Neurologic Disorders.
We had collaborated often to help many patients with overlapping physical and mental health issues. In this episode, he talks about the influence of viral infections and associated neuropsychiatric issues and highlights the multiple contributory effects on a person’s physical and mental health.
He also talks about the role of COVID and treatments in ICU and associated PTSD and the impact of anxiety and hospitalisation and isolation.
Find out more about him here
10 May 2021
Longcovid – What is the role of the occupational therapist?
In this episode, I speak to my fellow colleague Tarryn Ashworth, a specialist occupational physiotherapist.
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Tarryn has been working with COVID patients admitted in hospital from the first wave onwards. Normally working in an inpatient manner, this has been a new role in bringing her expertise to the outpatient management of Longcovid patients.
When I set up the Longcovid service, Tarryn has been invaluable in providing assessment and support for those patients struggling with fatigue and working alongside Harriet to set up personalised plans for our patients.
09 May 2021
Longcovid – How can the respiratory therapist help you?
In this episode, I speak to my fellow colleague Frankie Knight, a specialist respiratory physiotherapist.
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Frankie has been working with COVID patients admitted in hospital from the first wave onwards and has also done longstanding respiratory rehab for patients with long term lung conditions. When I set up the Longcovid service, her experience alongside her colleague Laura Cornish, has been invaluable in providing assessment and support for those patients struggling with breathlessness and chest pain symptoms despite having normal tests and scans. Breathing pattern disroders are very common and she talks about simple measures which you can do for yourself in this episode.
23 April 2021
Longcovid – What is the role of the fatigue and pain physiotherapist?
In this episode, I speak to my fellow colleague Harriet Wilkinson, a specialist pain physiotherapist with a special interest in chronic fatigue management.
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Harriet Wilkinson is a specialist in pain physiotherapy and chronic fatigue management. She has been working with me at the Complex Pain Service at the Royal Berks and so when I set up the Berkshire Longcovid Integrated Service (BLIS), her experience has been invaluable in providing assessment and support for those patients struggling with fatigue and pain and advice around pacing and psychologically informed practice.
22 April 2021
Longcovid – Discussion with GP Anthony Collins BLIS
In this episode, I speak to my fellow colleague Dr Anthony Collins, a General Practitioner.
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Frankie has been working with COVID patients admitted in hospital from the first wave onwards and has also done longstanding respiratory rehab for patients with long term lung conditions. When I set up the Longcovid service, her experience alongside her colleague Laura Cornish, has been invaluable in providing assessment and support for those patients struggling with breathlessness and chest pain symptoms despite having normal tests and scans. Breathing pattern disroders are very common and she talks about simple measures which you can do for yourself in this episode.
23 April 2021
Longcovid – What do patients feel and want from a service?
In the first episode of this series, I speak to 2 patients who are part of the Longcovid SOS group.
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Each patient tells their story from their perspective and it is more than important in a condition like Longcovid to know what the lived experience of these patients are and their symptoms to be taken into account when designing a service that can meet their needs. Each person’s symptoms are unique and their experiences are different. I have learned a lot from talking to my patients about how varied their presentations have been and how they have told their stories.
In future episodes, I will be talking about our present up-to-date understanding of Longcovid and newer studies and research and my team at Reading Berkshire.
20 April 2021
Q&A: Do We Still Need Injections and Surgeries?
In this episode, I discuss the role of drugs, injections and surgery in dealing with pain.
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The role of drugs, injections and surgery in dealing with pain, whilst there is an important role to play, I believe it can’t possibly be the complete solution. (1:20)
One of the final questions I’ve been asked is about the future and what it will look like in regards to pain. I tackle this question at 9:31 and discuss our body’s natural ability to form new habits.
19 March 2021
Q&A: What are the Biggest Causes of Pain?
In this episode, I continue to answer questions that have arisen since the launch of my book, ‘The Pain Free Mindset’.
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The first question I tackle at 1:10 is “What does ‘trauma-informed practice’ actually mean?”
The next question I try and answer is a tough one, I have to admit. At 9:05 – “What are the biggest causes of pain in Millenials?”
Then at 10:45 – “Who are the target readers of my book, ‘The Pain Free Mindset’?”
19 March 2021
Q&A: Is Pain all in the Mind?
In this episode, I discuss the title of my book and answer the question, “is the pain free mindset an indication of the belief that pain is all in the mind?”
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I discuss the title of my book and answer the question, “is the pain free mindset an indication of the belief that pain is all in the mind?” (2:20)
The second question I tackle at 6:36 in this podcast is, “is it fair to compare the physical pain experienced between one person and another?”
At 8:12 I answer a third question, “how can patients deal with psychological stress which manifests itself as physical pain?”
19 March 2021
New and Different Ways to Manage Pain
In this episode, we discuss treatments and strategies that have been introduced for pain management.
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In this episode, we discuss various treatments and newer strategies that have been introduced for pain management and the principle behind pain management programs.
Adopting these techniques will harness the power of neuroplasticity and using the latest scientific understanding behind habit formation can make a huge difference in adopting a pain free mindset. Joining me on this episode are various patients who have made that change and are living a hugely improved quality of life.
Hope is always there to overcome your pain and you do not need to be restricted to only medications, injections or surgery.
28 February 2021
Mainstream Pain Relief and Why They Don’t Always Work
In this episode, I discuss the mainstream treatments for pain, their benefits and the risks.
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I discuss the mainstream treatments for pain, their benefits and the risks especially when it comes to medications and opioids.
Joining me are a number of patients and other colleagues to discuss the issues around medication use and misuse.
28 February 2021
The New Science of Pain
In this episode, we discuss the latest advances in Pain Neuroscience, with Pain Speak podcast host, Dr Deepak Ravindran.
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Welcome to the Pain Speak podcast. Your host, Dr Deepak Ravindran is a full-time NHS Consultant specialising in Pain, Anaesthesia, MSK and Lifestyle Medicine. He is also the author of the new book, ‘The Pain Free Mindset’.
In this episode, we discuss the latest advances in Pain Neuroscience and how managing and overcoming your pain does not need to be restricted only to medications, injections or surgery.
We’ll hear from pain researcher Richard Harrison, physio and health coach Betsan Corkhill and some patients about their pain history and how it developed.
Enjoy the show!
27 February 2021
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