Pain is something we all experience, but it’s far more complex than simply a signal of how badly we’re injured. In this illuminating session, Associate Professor Tasha Stanton will take you on a journey through the science of pain, exploring the many contributors that shape this experience. You’ll discover why our brains play such a central role in how—and why—we hurt, and how persistent pain involves not just the body, but also physiological processes and adaptations that occur in the spinal cord and the brain.
Drawing on both experimental and clinical findings, Tasha will reveal how pain is influenced by sensory input, beliefs, and expectations, and why chronic pain can stubbornly persist. She’ll also show how education, perspective shifts, and innovative brain-based strategies, including virtual and mediated reality, can reshape how we experience pain and open the door to new treatment possibilities.
In this talk, you will learn:
Why pain isn’t always tied to tissue damage—and what that means for how we understand it
The spinal and supraspinal processes that adapt when pain persists
How virtual and mediated reality can alter perceptions of the body and reduce pain
How to explain persistent pain adaptations in simple terms to a family member
The power of education and brain-based strategies to reduce the experience of pain
The Details:
Where: Zoom (live online)
When: Tuesday, December 9, at 7:00 PM CST
Can’t make it live? No worries—register and you’ll get access to the recording.
Cost: $30
Associate Professor Tasha Stanton is a clinical pain neuroscientist leading the Persistent Pain Research Group at SAHMRI and serving as co-Director of IIMPACT in Health at the University of South Australia, Adelaide. Originally trained as a physiotherapist, she explores the critical question: Why do we feel pain, and why does it sometimes stick around when nothing seems wrong?
Tasha's work crosses boundaries, from studying how our brains interpret pain using virtual and mediated reality to reshaping what we know about chronic pain through pain science education. She's published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, secured millions in competitive grant funding, and earned accolades including the World Congress of Pain Ronald Dubner Research Prize and the Australian Pain Society Rising Star Award. A gifted communicator, she founded the Brain Bus, a mobile experiential lab for sharing brain and pain science with rural and regional communities, and has been honored among Australia’s Top 5 Under 40 Science Communicators.
Tasha brings clarity, creativity, and compassion to discussions that demystify pain and empower people to understand their own experience in new, hopeful ways.
Bring a Friend, Save 50% on a Future Event!
If you know someone who hasn’t joined our community yet and would enjoy this event, or any of Holly’s talks, invite them so they can secure their spot!
Here’s how it works:
You and your friend each book your tickets for this event.
Once your tickets are booked, send us an email at holly@bardutzbrainhealth.com.
In the email, include your friend’s name.
After we confirm your bookings, we’ll send both of you a 50% off code for any future event we host this year.
It’s our way of saying thank you for helping grow our amazing community.
If you have any questions, please email us. We’ll be happy to help.