In this episode of The Shoulder Physio Podcast, Dr Jared Powell sits down with Dr Mervyn Travers, physiotherapist, S&C coach, and researcher, to explore one of the most compelling frameworks in contemporary pain science: active inference.
They discuss how this predictive brain model helps explain persistent musculoskeletal pain, why traditional exercise-based interventions might miss the mark, and how clinicians can use movement and context to shift a patient’s pain experience. Merv blends philosophy, neuroscience, and clinical pragmatism in a way that's accessible, challenging, and highly relevant.
Key talking points:
What is active inference and how does it relate to predictive processing?
The role of prior beliefs, culture, and clinical language in shaping pain
Movement experimentation as a tool for model updating and recovery
Why it’s time to rethink how we prescribe exercise in pain rehab
Clinical implications from landmark studies within the field that lend themselves to active inference
A call for compassion, curiosity, and nuance in patient care
Connect with Jared and guests:
Jared on Instagram: @shoulder_physio
Jared on X: @jaredpowell12
Merv website: Home - Optimise Rehab
Merv X: @mervtravers
Merv Instagram: @optimise_rehab
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