Pain and OT

1 Hour
4.7 (69)

Watch or Listen

(Membership required to take quiz and earn CEUs.)

Also available on

Course Quiz

Choose a CEU plan to take this course quiz!

Plans & Pricing

Course Introduction

I once heard a neuroscientist say:

Many of our frameworks end up being wrong—because the body is more complicated than we ever imagined. 

Pain science perfectly illustrates this. We are living in an era where new frameworks are being written—because classical understandings of pain have not only been inadequate, they have led to ineffective and even harmful treatment.

Today, we look at a new framework for understanding pain.

And, there’s good news for OT in it.

The authors argue that such a complex condition needs holistic treatment like OT and PT can provide. To help us unpack what this all can mean for your daily OT practice, we are excited to welcome to the podcast Irvin Eisenberg, who owns Resilience Occupational Therapy, where he helps members of his community manage their pain.

Resources for Pain and OT

Learning Objectives

  1. You will be able to identify researched-backed OT pain interventions.

  2. You will be able to identify assessments you can use for pain management.

Agenda

  • Intro

  • Breakdown and analysis of journal article

    • Intro to Pain and OT

    • Intro to Chronic Pain

    • Problems with Classical Understandings of Pain

    • Intent of this Article

    • The Distributed Processing of Nociceptive Information with the Spinal Cord

    • The Distributed Processing of Nociceptive Information with the Brain

    • Distributed Treatment

    • Article Conclusion

  • Discussion on practical implications for OTs

    1. Intro to Irvin Eisenberg

    2. Opening his Own OT practice

    3. Impressions of the Article

    4. Talking about Pain with Clients

    5. Story about the Tremendous Power of the Brain to Regulate Pain

    6. Go-to Assessments for Pain

    7. Irvin’s Holistic Approach to Pain

    8. Advice for OTs who are Interested in Starting a Pain Private Practice

    9. Final Thoughts

Supporting Research

Contact Hours (CEUs/PDUs)

1 Contact Hour. Released online from Aurora, NE.

This course was designed to meet your continuing education requirements

We designed our courses to meet the requirements for “online” and “independent/self-study” courses. To verify the requirements from your specific state (within the U.S.), check out OT Continuing Education Requirements. If you are outside of the United States and don't see requirements for your specific location on that page, please contact us.

OT Potential courses are presented as live webinars, then released on-demand video and audio via the OT Potential Podcast. Attendance in the live webinar will be indicated on your certificate. Learn more about how our courses help meet live webinar requirements, and OT CEU requirements overall.

We are proud to be an AOTA Approved Provider and to meet the requirements for your NBCOT renewal.

OT Potential Reports CE/CME to CE Broker in 24 Hours NBCOT Logo
AOTA Approved Provider Badge with Course Details
AOTA Details

AOTA Course ID#: 08384
AOTA CEUs Earned: 0.1
AOTA Delivery Format: Distance Learning-Independent
AOTA Category: OT Service Delivery
AOTA Level: Introductory

NBCOT Logo
NBCOT Details

NBCOT PDUs Earned: 1.25

Instructional Methods, Registration, Special Needs Requests, Cancellation Policy

This course is an independent/self-study course delivered via podcast on one or more of the following platforms: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & Google Play.

If you need accommodations to take this course, please contact us and we will address your needs on an individual basis.

If we cancel a promoted course, event, live stream, or any other paid CEU offering prior to release, and you subscribe explicitly for said offering, you are eligible for a full refund if you did not complete and earn any other CEU quizzes or certificates during your subscription.

If a live webinar is cancelled that you signed up for, our system will automatically generate an email to you and if possible, we will inform you of the rescheduled date. Our most current webinar schedule will be found here.

Audience / Education Level & Course Completion Requirements

Our target audience is therapy professionals who are looking to learn more about this topic. The educational level is introductory. In order to receive a certificate for this course, you must first participate in the podcast/webinar in its entirety. Then, you will need to take the quiz that will accompany the course and earn 75% or higher. If you pass, a PDF certificate will be made available to you via email and download. Quizzes for live (distance learning–interactive) webinars must be completed within 3 days of completing the webinar.

Disclosures

It is the policy of OT Potential to disclose any financial and non-financial interest the provider or instructor may have in a product or service mentioned during an activity. This is to ensure that the audience is made aware of any bias of the speaker.

OT Potential pays guest speakers an honorarium for their participation, either directly or to an institution of the speaker's choosing at their request. We invite guests whose expertise often comes from practices, programs, or building products in their field. Where a speaker has a financial interest in the subject of a course, we disclose it below so you can weigh it for yourself.

OT Potential's interest in this topic: We have no financial stake in this topic.

Speaker interests: Irvin Eisenberg owns Resilience Occupational Therapy, a private practice that provides the pain management services discussed in this course.

Speakers

Irvin Eisenberg is an Occupational Therapist in Montpelier, Vermont, with a unique approach that integrates manual therapy, structural integration, and movement-based interventions. His practice focuses on providing evidence-based and client-centered care to help individuals achieve relief from chronic pain, improve posture, and enhance overall functionality. Irvin’s journey into health and wellness began with his studies in dance and choreography at Bard College, where he developed a deep appreciation for the human form and movement. This interest led him to the 1000-hour Finger Lakes School of Massage, where he graduated in 2007. He continued his education with advanced training in fascia-focused therapies, including two years of study under a Rolfer® and completion of Tom Myers’ Anatomy Trains Structural Integration® program. This foundation in connective tissue work informs his current practice, particularly in addressing chronic pain and postural issues. To expand his ability to serve clients, Irvin pursued a Bachelor’s degree and a 69-credit Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Utica College, earning his credentials in 2018. Since then, he has specialized in blending manual therapy, ergonomics consultation, and pain neuroscience education to provide holistic occupational therapy services. He also incorporates movement modalities such as martial arts, dance, and yoga to create tailored therapeutic plans. Irvin’s training in martial arts—including Aikido, Capoeira, and Karate—plays a significant role in his practice. Through these disciplines, he deepens his understanding of safe movement patterns and motivates clients toward greater health and resilience. This dynamic approach helps him address functional movement challenges and foster long-term wellness. At Resilience Occupational Therapy, Irvin offers specialized care for individuals seeking solutions for chronic pain, improved posture, and enhanced body mechanics. He is particularly skilled at working with clients who feel frustrated by mainstream approaches or are exploring alternative health options. His evidence-based yet open-minded philosophy allows him to build trust and empower clients on their path to recovery. Irvin also hosts the podcast Resilience Radio, where he delves into topics related to health, wellness, and resilience, sharing insights that inspire both clients and fellow practitioners. He is passionate about collaboration and welcomes referrals from other healthcare professionals in Vermont and beyond. Whether you are seeking relief from chronic pain, looking to improve your posture, or interested in holistic occupational therapy, Irvin Eisenberg provides compassionate, personalized care designed to meet your unique needs.

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L, is the CEO of OT Potential. Sarah earned her BA from St. Olaf College and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University. Her diverse clinical background spans multiple settings, including critical access, acute trauma, and state inpatient psychiatric hospitals. In 2011, she founded OT Potential to fulfill the industry's need for reliable, high-quality occupational therapy resources and continuing education.

As a recognized content creator, Sarah has collaborated with top healthcare brands like VeryWell Health, WebPT, and MedBridge. She blends her clinical expertise with a talent for creating clear, action-oriented content that empowers practitioners to excel. Passionate about elevating the OT profession, she has been featured on numerous industry podcasts. Sarah ultimately returned to her roots, running OT Potential and raising her family in her hometown of Aurora, Nebraska.

More Courses