While it is tempting to think of osteoarthritis pain as a simple case of "wear and tear"—where the severity of pain directly reflects the physical damage inside a joint—contemporary science tells a very different story. Osteoarthritis affects roughly 1 in 2 adults over the age of 65, yet scan results often contradict what a person actually feels. Many individuals with severe joint changes on an X-ray experience no pain at all, while others with mild structural changes suffer significantly.
In this session, Dr. Tasha Stanton will explore why it is time to rethink traditional assumptions about joint health and move toward a modern, biopsychosocial perspective. Drawing on the latest evidence from pain science, systemic inflammation, and psychosocial influences, Tasha will uncover the multiple, interconnected contributors to osteoarthritis progression and pain.
Crucially, the lecture will highlight the power of bioplasticity—our body and nervous system's lifelong capacity to adapt and change. You will learn how targeted exercise and appropriate movement loading actively drive these positive physical changes. Finally, Tasha will examine the power of language in shaping our health beliefs, equipping you with a fresh, evidence-based narrative about what osteoarthritis truly is and why active therapies like movement are so powerful for recovery.
Learning Objectives:
Rethink Joint Pain: Gain an increased understanding of why structural joint damage seen on scans poorly correlates with pain severity.
Explore Bioplasticity: Understand how the body adapts to osteoarthritis and why appropriate movement loading and exercise are critical for long-term improvement.
Master the Power of Language: Learn how to use clear, evidence-based language to reframe beliefs about osteoarthritis and foster confidence in active recovery.
The Details:
Where: Zoom (live online)
When: Thursday, September 17, at 7:00 PM CST
Can’t make it live? No worries—register and you’ll get access to the recording.
Cost: $30
Learn More about Dr. Tasha Stanton
Dr. 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?