Biography
Biography: Maureen Simmonds
Abstract
Movement is fundamental and essential to life and to good physical, psychological and social health and well-being. Pain is the most frequent reason that movement and activity is compromised. For many years, movement and activity compromise was believed to be a direct result of actual or anticipated pain. Traditional research by pain or movements scientists narrowly focused on pain or on movement respectively and although substantial steps in understanding the complexities of these constructs were made, the lack of an integrated approach did little to contribute to a better understanding of the multi-level and bi-directional relationship between pain and movement and how pain and movement were mediated by the mind. Over the last couple of decades, an increasing amount of research has used a broader conceptual model to better understand various types of pain and its’ impact on mood and movement, as well as the reverse. It is now abundantly clear that the mind (both cognition and emotion) mediates both pain and movement expression and experience - as does the social environment. This talk will include a presentation of the state of the science of pain, mind and movement. Specifically it will include a discussion of contemporary research that: 1) Shows how pain is associated with generalized psychomotor slowing and movement inefficiencies; 2. Demonstrates how movement/activity can have health protective and analgesic effects and as such is especially beneficial for the emotional and physical health of individuals with chronic pain; and 3). Identifies and addresses bio-psycho-social factors that enhance mood and movement and decrease pain and its impact
