Pain Matters Podcast Network
The Pain Matters Podcast Network is presented by the American Academy of Pain Medicine. It is a leading podcast network for healthcare providers focused on pain management. The network hosts multiple pain-focused podcasts that share the latest innovations and practical applications in multidisciplinary care. Each episode aims to directly impact how providers care for patients and measure success.
Episodes
Ep. 38: Acute Low Back Pain Guideline: A Patient Advocate's Perspective*
Episode Summary:In this engaging and informative episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, hosts Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM, and Co-Host Zafeer Baber, MD, sit down with renowned chronic pain advocate, Tom Norris. With a four-decade-long journey through the challenges of chronic pain, Tom shares his invaluable insights regarding the newly drafted Acute Low Back Pain Guideline** (drafted by the Pacif
Ep 37 Acetaminophen in Pregnancy and Children: Debunking Myths and Ensuring Safe Use*
In this episode, Amber Borucki, MD from Stanford Medicine, joins Host Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM, and Co-Host Zafeer Baber, MD, to discuss acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood. They focus on a significant Swedish study that dispels myths about acetaminophen's links to autism, reinforcing its safety and effectiveness. Dr. Borucki highlights its role in pain management for expec
Exploring PA Roles & Growth in Pain Medicine Practice
Episode Summary:In this compelling episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, hosts Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM, and Zafeer Baber, MD, sit down with Jeremy Adler, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, a seasoned Physician Assistant practicing at the UCSD Center for Pain Medicine in the field of pain medicine, to explore the evolving roles of advanced practice providers in the specialty. Jeremy shares insights from his
Exploring Addiction Myths and Harm Reduction with Maia Szalavitz*
In this episode of Pain Matters, Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, speaks with Maia Szalavitz, award-winning New York Times opinion writer and AAPM 2025 Featured Speaker. Recorded April 4, 2025, at the AAPM PainConnect 2025 meeting, their conversation explores themes from Szalavitz’s recent writing on addiction, harm reduction, and drug policy. Maia shares her personal journey through addiction a
In Response: BMJ Interventional Spine Guidelines 2025
Join Executive Producer and Host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and Co-Host Mustafa Broachwala, DO, for a pivotal episode of the Pain Matters Podcast where we address the recent BMJ publication, “Common interventional procedures for chronic non-cancer spine pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials,” and the associated guideline. Steven Cohen, MD, Feinberg School
Navigating Cannabis in Pain Medicine [Part 2]
Dr. Mark Wallace of UCSD joins hosts Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA and Mustafa Broachwala, DO and pick up where they left off on their discussion regarding the nuanced world of medical cannabis, understanding medical applications, appropriate dosing strategies, and advice for prescribing providers. Furthermore, they discuss the challenges of clinical trials, regulatory hurdles, and the implica
Navigating Cannabis in Pain Medicine [Part 1]
Join us for an enlightening episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of medical cannabis and its implications for pain management. Hosts Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and Mustafa Broachwala, DO, are joined by Mark Steven Wallace, MD, a Pain Management Specialist and Professor of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego Health, who brings more than two decades of experience
Pain Medicine Training: Enhancing Training for Better Outcomes - Part 2
Join us for Part 2 of our engaging series on the necessary reforms in pain medicine training as we explore potential changes that could significantly enhance the quality and effectiveness of pain medicine education.Hosts Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and Mustafa Broachwala, DO are joined once again by esteemed experts Scott Gregory Pritzlaff, MD, Associate Professor and Pain Medicine Fellowsh
Pain Medicine Training: A Call for Reformation - Part 1
Join us in a critical discussion on the urgent need for reform in pain medicine training programs. In this enlightening episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, hosts Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and Mustafa Broachwala, DO, engage with experienced pain medicine program directors to delve deep into the current state, gaps, and proposed changes surrounding pain medicine fellowships.Tune in as we’r
Special Episode: What FTC's Landmark Decision to Ban Noncompetes Means in Medicine
Join us for a timely discussion on the recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruling to ban non-compete clauses. This decision can significantly alter the landscape of employment across various sectors, including healthcare. In this special episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, hosts Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and Mustafa Broachwala, DO, sit down with Michael Johnson, Jr., Esq. to dive deep
The Future of AI in Medicine: Current State, Applications, and Evolution
Join us for a riveting exploration into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI) in interdisciplinary pain medicine. This episode of the Pain Matters Podcast features a thought-provoking discussion on the transformative potential of AI and the ethical challenges it introduces.Hosts Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and Mustafa Broachwala, DO, are joined by two distinguished expe
History in the Making: The Battle for SCS Coverage in Washington State
Join us for a comprehensive exploration into the advocacy and personal dedication that shapes the world of pain medicine. In this episode, our discussion hones in on a critical juncture in pain medicine — the anticipation of the Washington Health Technology Clinical Committee's (HTCC) decision on Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) coverage. This decision could transform the landscape of pain manag
Setting the Record Straight: A Response to JAMA on Corporate Influences on Spinal Cord Stimulation
On this episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, we turn our attention to a Viewpoint article published in JAMA on December 18, 2023 entitled “Corporate Influences on Science and Health—the Case of Spinal Cord Stimulation”. Written by the same lead author of the widely criticized Cochrane Review of Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) for Low Back Pain, this recent article blames all physicians who defend SC
Insights from Industry Leaders: Ethics, Collaboration, and Challenges in Health-Tech
Recorded during the 2023 AAPM Annual Meeting, Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and co-host Mustafa Broachwala, DO, navigate this multifaceted topic alongside two esteemed guests: Dan Brounstein, Chief Strategy Officer with Saluda Medical, and Yele Aluko, MD, MBA, Ernst & Young Americas Chief Medical Officer.In this episode, we explore:Industry Collaboration: A deep dive into the history and
SI Joint Injections and LCDs: Navigating New Boundaries in Pain Medicine
Join us as we delve deep into the pivotal March 18, 2023 local coverage determination (LCD) that has shaken the pain medicine community by limiting access to sacral lateral branch radiofrequency ablation and imposing stringent documentation requirements to demonstrate the medical necessity for sacroiliac (SI) joint injections.In this episode, host Dr. Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and co-host
Confronting the Silent Crisis: Workplace Violence in Pain Medicine
Join host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and co-host Mustafa Broachwala, DO, as they discuss a rising, yet often overlooked, issue - workplace violence in healthcare settings, particularly in pain management.Our featured guest for this episode is Mercy Udoji, MD, CMQ, FASA, pain physician and associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine, and a renowned expert on workplace violenc
Current Events in Pain & Addiction: FDA Approval of OTC Naloxone, New DEA Required CME-training, Medical Mysteries in the Alex Murdaugh Case, Fentanyl Strips & Fentanyl Vaccine with Drs. Antje Barreveld and Sudheer Potru
Join us as we discuss and provide expert insights into current events impacting our management of pain and substance use disorders. In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, dives into critical current events and regulatory changes impacting the field of pain medicine and their implications for patient care. She interviews two guests at the forefront of pain medicine, substance use,
[Part 2] The Relationship Between Food and Pain Perception – A Conversation with Kathleen Holton, PhD, MPH
In the second episode of our two-part conversation with Kathleen Holton, PhD, MPH, she expands on her work with food and chronic pain, taking a closer look at the nutritional supplements and dietary strategies that pain patients can use to manage their conditions. Tune in as she discusses common issues within the American diet and explores how weight, nutrient deficiencies, and dietary misconcepti
Reaction & Analysis to the March 2023 Cochrane Library Review on Spinal Cord Stimulation for Low Back Pain with Nathaniel M. Schuster, MD, and Zachary McCormick, MD
Cochrane Library’s recently published article questioning the clinical benefit of spinal cord stimulation for low back pain has stirred controversy throughout the pain medicine community. In response to these findings, we sat down with neuromodulation specialists & Pain Medicine journal editorial board members, Zachary McCormick, MD, and Nathaniel M. Schuster, MD, to offer our in-depth reacti
Advocating for Patients in Pain with Stephanie Vanterpool, MD, FASA, MBA
Pain is invisible and highly subjective—for physicians, overcoming these barriers requires interpreting the signs of pain through a patient’s actions and words. This can be a delicate process, since the next step a provider takes to relieve a patient’s pain can have long-term effects on their outcome.Exploring the nuances of patient advocacy, Stephanie Vanterpool, MD, FASA, MBA, Pain Medicine Spec
Under the Microscope - Examining Racial Disparities in Pain Medicine with Aderonke Pederson, M.D.
The history of our medical institutions is fraught with racial prejudices that have shaped our understanding of pain in black patients, leading to unequal treatment across our healthcare system. Working to dismantle these disparities, Aderonke Pederson, MD, has dedicated her career to bridging the treatment gap. Her groundbreaking work addresses faults in our current system, increasing the quality
[Part 1] The Relationship Between Food and Pain Perception - A Conversation with Kathleen Holton, PhD, MPH
When we’re young, we often hear the phrase “you are what you eat.” While this is true, it doesn’t paint the full picture. Kathleen Holton, PhD, MPH, has dedicated her career to mapping the ways food can influence pain pathways in our bodies, studying the chemical processes behind physical pain and its psychiatric comorbidities. Her groundbreaking research on glutamate receptors has shown that a di
Using Psychedelics to Expand the Horizons of Pain Medicine with Timothy Furnish, MD
Exploring the boundaries of pain management, the Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative (PHRI) pursues groundbreaking research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for pain patients. By examining how these psychoactive compounds act at the intersection of pain, identity, and memory in our brains, Dr. Furnish’s work has challenged our understanding of pain mechanisms while paving the w
The Intersection of Pain and COVID-19 with Soo Kim, MD
Working on the pandemic’s front lines, Soo Kim, MD, was part of the medical team at Johns Hopkins University that first identified and treated signs and symptoms of Long COVID and its chronic pain symptoms. Her groundbreaking involvement in one of the first Post-Acute COVID Syndrome (PACS) Clinics has since become the blueprint for how many physicians treat acute and chronic pain among Long COVID
[Part 2] The FACE (Lab) of Innovation: Dr. Andrea Chadwick on Her Journey Starting a Pain Exploration Lab
In the second episode of our two-part conversation with Dr. Andrea Chadwick, MD, MSc, FASA, she discusses the obstacles she overcame on her path to developing a successful research lab in a field she is passionate about. Listen in as she shares her professional and personal struggles and outlines the blueprint other researchers can use to harness their potential and advocate for patients with invi
[Part 1] The FACE (Lab) of Innovation: Dr. Andrea Chadwick on Her Journey Starting a Pain Exploration Lab
Research is the backbone of medical innovation. However, it can be challenging to find the resources and support needed to launch your own research lab and lay the foundation for its success. Dr. Andrea Chadwick is no stranger to the adversities researchers face–tune in as she shares her struggles and outlines the steps others can take to follow their passions into research and secure funding for
A Conversation With the Founder of Pain Awareness Month - Bridging the Gap Between Healthcare and Patients
Pain management is more than just treating the causes of pain. How you communicate with patients shapes how they think about their pain–the right educational tools can improve recovery rates by mitigating the effect pain has on the rest of a patient’s life.In this episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, guest host Beth Darnall, PhD., sits down with Penney Cowan, the founder and CEO of the American Ch
Launching and Scaling the first Personalized Perioperative Pain Clinic for Opioid Reduction After Surgery in the US
One of the more innovative pain care models to debut recently involves a multidisciplinary team of acute and chronic pain specialists working together to reduce opioid utilization after surgery and improve patient satisfaction. How does the model work and what are lessons learned from scaling a perioperative pain clinic? In this episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, host Dr. Shravani Durbhakula, MD
How Pain Clinicians Can Successfully Transform Industry
Data has long been used to predict whether certain patients will respond well to treatment. The next step in the evolution of using algorithm-centered tools to chart the course for pain medicine is the personalized care made possible through precision medicine technology. In this episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, host Shravani Durbhakula, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., chats with Christina Le-Short, MD,
Using TikTok to Spread Awareness of Pain Medicine Innovation
With Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn already taking up so much of our free time, why would a busy pain physician consider adding TikTok to their social media routine? With more people receiving their news through social media, it’s more critical than ever that doctors convey accurate information to the public about pain medicine and pain treatment, and TikTok has grown to be one of the
Reducing Harm For Patients in the Midst of a Pandemic-Fueled Opioid Crisis
Beginning in 2020, we saw an exponential growth of opioid overdose deaths throughout the nation alongside an increase in the isolation of at-risk individuals, economic instability, impeded access to care, a shortage of PPE, and self-medication for high-stress levels. Though some of the risk factors have declined as the global pandemic response has progressed, it’s no surprise that pain medicine in
From Super Bowl Athlete to Pain Physician: Insights Into Pain Management in the NFL
The repetitive grind and acute trauma endured by professional athletes often lead to chronic pain and a number of surgeries over the course of an athletic career. How is the practice of pain medicine evolving to minimize the effects of chronic pain for these athletes, and, in particular, what are the opportunities for innovation in delivering long-term results through minimally invasive, non-addic
The Role of Innovation and Technology in Pain Medicine’s Future
As with every industry, the field of pain medicine is continually progressing in the face of technological developments, generational turnover, and the disruptions that come from significant world events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When it comes to forging paths toward the future of pain care, it is the aim of professional societies and organizations to determine the right course and provide re
Understanding SBIR Grants and the Pathways of Federal Funding
Investment in a project can come from many sides. In past episodes, we have discussed venture capitalism, private investors, strategic partnerships, and other creative approaches to raising capital. This time, we turn to federal funding in the form of small business innovation research (SBIR) grants. Host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, is joined by Henry Ahn, Director of the SBIR Grant and Small Busines
Venture Capital Secrets: How to Get Your Idea Funded
Developing a new device or drug treatment is near impossible without the capital to support it.How can innovators in healthcare present their ideas to investors in a way that triggers their interest and, ultimately, their financial backing?In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, dives into this question alongside Ali Behbahani, MD, of New Enterprise Associates, one of the top venture capita
How to Unlock Digital Health Opportunities in Pain Medicine
Is the emergence of digital health changing how we think about progress in pain medicine? It should.In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, sits down with Sara Silacci, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder at the Center for Innovation of Digital Health at Massachusetts General Hospital to share how can healthcare leaders can capitalize on the growth of the digital health space, and ways pr
Using Creative Approaches to Raise Capital
Serving patients with the best therapies can bring steep challenges for pain researchers—often coming down to funding. What can pain medicine professionals do when it feels like their day-to-day is spent “chasing the money” needed to do their jobs? In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, chats with pain physician, pharmaceutical and device entrepreneur, and angel investor Amol Soin, MD, abo
Rebranding the Cadaver Training Industry: Innovating in a Growing World of New Devices
In a field where innovation is always at the forefront, the need for continual training can become an obstacle. But with any obstacle comes opportunity; how can educators reimagine the training atmosphere to keep physicians engaged and informed about new devices as they emerge?In this episode, Yeshvant Navalgund, MD, Co-Founder and Medical Director of National Bioskills Laboratories, joins host Sh
Developing a New Device From Start to Finish
Through innovation, pain physicians have the potential to change the scope of medical care.How can those who treat everyday conditions of their patients take an idea for a new device and bring it to patent, development and, ultimately, a place of its own on the market?In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Bryan Marasc
