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The Pain Puzzle: Understanding and Treating What Hurts

The Pain Puzzle: Understanding and Treating What Hurts

Only available as part of a package

Abstract:
Pain is the most common reason patients seek care. However, it is also extremely complex, and many athletic trainers lack a thorough understanding of pain processing and perception. As a result, patient encounters and treatment decisions can be challenging to navigate. In this lecture, we will cover a variety of pain principles including nociception, pain perception, central and peripheral sensitization, and a systematic approach to evaluating and quantifying musculoskeletal pain (quantitative sensory testing, patient-reported outcome measures). We will also summarize the best-evidence to guide non-pharmacologic pain treatments to enhance clinical outcomes and performance recovery following musculoskeletal injury.

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the differences and relationship between nociception and pain perception.
  • Evaluate subjective (patient-reported outcome measures) and objective (quantitative sensory testing) measures to quantify a patient’s pain experience.
  • Choose appropriate non-pharmacologic evidence-based interventions to treat acute and chronic pain musculoskeletal pain.

Level:
Essential

Domain(s):
Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis 
Domain 4: Therapeutic Intervention

Orthopedic Domain(s):
Domain 1: Medical Knowledge

Keywords:
Neuroscience; Neuroplasticity; Phychophysiology

CEUs:
1.0 Category A

A Statement of Credit reflecting your CEUs will be issued immediately upon the successful completion of all course components.


Course Expiration: 
All sessions of the NATA 77th Symposia On-Demand must be completed by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
For full details, refer to the expiration policy on our FAQ page.

Kate Jochimsen, PhD, ATC

Dr. Kate Jochimsen is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, a researcher at the Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, and an adjunct assistant professor at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She earned her M.S. in Athletic Training from Florida International University, her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky and completed her postdoctoral training in biomechanics at Ohio State University. 

Her work “bridges the gap” between sports medicine and psychology, primarily focusing on chronic pain and hip injuries. An expert in psychologically informed practice, she is passionate about guiding sports medicine clinicians to communicate effectively about mental health and integrate psychological and mind-body skills into rehabilitation. 

She is the 2025 recipient of the NATA Foundation New Investigator Award, and her research is supported by organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

This content will not be available until 07/31/2026 at 12:00 AM (CDT)