Isa Dreyer

#39 LEARNING TO UNDERSTAND PAIN
WITH ISA DREYER

“Everyone brings their own personal and emotional experiences towards that pain.”

Isa Dreyer is a pain management specialist here in Tasmania and has also been an inspiring and close family friend of mine for many years. I have been on many short adventures with Isa and every time we are cruising the trails we find ourselves in deep discussion about her work. Pain, trauma and optimising wellness through adversity have become fascination areas of mine, and I was eager to share Isa’s wisdom and vibrancy with you on the Podcast.

Despite her father’s traditional views of the role of the woman, Isa pursued her career, starting her impressive list of qualifications at a chiropractic school in Portland Oregon, USA, before moving back to Cape Town, South Africa to study a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy). Isa spent 3 years in the UK working as physiotherapist and while doing so, spent her holidays cycling and adventuring through Europe. Isa later furthered her studies with a Clinical Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Boston University (2004-2006) and a Masters of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) at The University of Sydney (2013-2014).

Isa moved to Tasmania in 2006, finding employment in a sports physiotherapy clinic whilst also working at Royal Hobart Hospital in the pain unit. In 2015, she started at Federal St Pain Clinic – a multi-disciplinary clinic with a small team including a psychologist, pain specialist and two other physiotherapists.

Her depth of knowledge and desire to assist others through pain is profound. I learnt so much about the subject of pain from her during this short conversation. I hope you can too. Isa, thank you so much for taking the time to come onto the Find Your Feet Podcast and I know there is still so much we can learn from you!

MAIN POINTS

Pain - why do we persist through pain?
How the importance of the goal can directly affect the intensity that we feel pain.
Trapped trauma – Mental and emotional associations with physical pain.
The memory of pain - How injuries can impact our perceptions of pain and even exacerbate pain.
The power of creating safe environments – methods to decrease pain output
Neurological mechanics – “pathways that wire together, fire together”
Biopsychosocial and holistic approaches to pain management and treatment
Lesser known influences that increase inflammation & pain in the body
Being driven by curiosity as opposed to the pressure and fear of missing out
How Isa practises rest, mindfulness and ‘quiet time’ (despite being a go-getter!)

We hope you enjoy this mini episode!

“In lower back pain for example, 85% of imaging does not correlate with their symptoms at all.”

Links mentioned in the conversation:

- The Pain Revolution Ride

Isa has just been accepted to be a rider in next year’s Pain Revolution Ride that is happening in Tasmania in March 2019. “I am pretty excited that I was chosen, as there were 3x more applicants than riders. We are riding 700km in 8 days .The most important part of it will be educating rural and remote Tasmania about pain in the evenings, when we stop in the little towns.” As part of this, Isa has to raise $3000 as a local hero. All the funds will go directly into providing Tasmanian health care professionals with extra training and mentoring to provide better and more up to date health care for pain.

- Federal Street Pain Clinic