In this podcast, I am going to sit down with health professionals, psychologists, yoga teachers and yoga therapists to learn more about their research and their approach in their work on pain as well as other chronic health/mental health conditions. I am interested in learning about pain, how pain becomes chronic, and how yoga and psychology can help in managing chronic health and mental health conditions.
Harm Reduction in Chronic Pain - Covnersation with Dr Emma Davies
Dr Emma Davies is a Consultant-credentialed Pharmacist specialising in pain management, analgesic optimisation, and safe prescribing. Working across primary and community care, she focuses on improving outcomes for people living with pain through advanced clinical practice, strategic service redesign, and national policy and guideline development. Her work combines hands-on patient care with leadership across clinical practice, education, and system-wide transformation. In this conversation w...
16 Dec 2025
Episode 12 - Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care - Conversation with Dr. Barbara Phipps
Dr Barbara Phipps is a GP with over 25 years experience. She has a particular interest in lifestyle medicine and chronic pain. In 2020 Barbara started an NHS group programme in Edinburgh for people experiencing long term pain which she continues to run. She also works at the University of Edinburgh teaching in both undergraduate medicine and the postgraduate MSc in the Clinical Management of Pain. You can contact Nilbon on: Instagram: @nilbonplatform LinkedIn: Nilbon or Niloofar Borg...
23 Jul 2025
Episode 11 - Exploring the Connection Between Inflammation and Chronic Pain - Conversation with Professor Antoni Chan
Professor Antoni Chan is a Consultant Rheumatologist and Physician at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. He is also a Professor of Rheumatology and Translational Medicine. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in London and a member of the British Society of Immunology. Professor Chan is a principal investigator for clinical research studies, which he hopes will lead to newer and more effective treatments for his patients. In this episode we discuss: Inflammation’s ro...
8 May 2025
Episode 10 - Resilience & Post-traumatic Growth - Conversation with Professor Nazanin Derakhshan
Nazanin Derakhshan is a Professor of Experimental Psychology, Head of the Centre for Resilience and Post-traumatic Growth, and Head of the award winning Centre for Building Resilience in Breast Cancer (BRiC) at the National Centre for Integrative Oncology (NCIO), UK. As part of her career, Naz spent 18 years in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Birkbeck University of London, UK, where she was promoted to Full Professor in 2012. She was voted a key transformational figure in '...
Inder started his career in the fast-paced world of fine dining, working alongside top chefs like Heston Blumenthal and Brett Graham at The Ledbury. But in his early twenties, life took an unexpected turn when he developed chronic fatigue syndrome. The next six years were spent on a challenging journey to reclaim his health. That experience completely reshaped his path and led him to retrain as a nutritional therapist, eventually going on to study neuroscience at King’s College London. Today,...
15 Jan 2024
Episode 8 – Chronic Pain in the Workplace – Conversation with Helen Roome, Author and Occupational Therapist
Helen Roome (BSc (OT) Hons / PG. Dip. Int. Pain Mgmt. / MA (VP) Theology / Prac. Dip. Labour Law.) is a registered Occupational Therapist supporting adults living with persistent pain and/or fatigue. Her expertise in pain management builds on more than 25 years of broad clinical experience in both adult physical and psychiatric rehabilitation; as well as her completion of post-graduate studies in interdisciplinary pain management. She also holds qualifications in labour law and practical theology.
Whilst she partners with anyone living with a persistent pain condition, Helen has a special interest in Fibromyalgia and co-facilitates a Fibromyalgia support group with someone who lives with the condition.
She is actively engaged in promoting best pain-care practice and patient-advocacy through her roles as Chairperson of the OT Pain Management Group (OTPMG) of South Africa and committee member of the SA Society for Sleep and Health (SASSH).
Helen enjoys sharing transformative ideas and frequently presents to the public and other practitioners on pain and fatigue topics.
She lives with her husband and their children in beautiful KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In her free time you will find her deep in a book, out in the garden, on a hiking trail or behind an easel.
Visit www.helenroome.co.za or find Helen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
You can purchase Helen's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Pain-Playbook-Effective-Strategies/dp/0639773265/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EK57TYD7P1CW&keywords=your+pain+playbook&qid=1705343584&sprefix=your+pain+playbook+%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Pain-Playbook-Effective-Strategies/dp/0639773265/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EK57TYD7P1CW&keywords=your+pain+playbook&qid=1705343584&sprefix=your+pain+playbook+%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1)
In this interview, we discuss:
Fibromyalgia,
Chronic pain in the workplace,
Absenteeism and presenteeism,
Work as therapy,
Tips/advice based on PEO model (person, environment and occupation),
Work resilience and life beyond work.
Citations mentioned in the episode:
Gulseren D, Sayin FK, Turner N, Kelloway EK. Chronic pain and pain disability: The next frontier for healthy and effective organizations. Organizational Dynamics. 2022 Aug 17:100926.
Waongenngarm P, Areerak K, Janwantanakul P. The effects of breaks on low back pain, discomfort, and work productivity in office workers: A systematic review of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials. Applied ergonomics. 2018 Apr 1;68:230-9.
Elfeddali I, Jacobs E, Van Der Feltz-Cornelis CM. Harmful and benign work stress and work resilience: A Delphi-study in employees and experts. The European Journal of Psychiatry. 2022 Oct 1;36(4):230-7.
You can contact Nilbon on:
Instagram: @nilbonyoga
LinkedIn: Nilbon Yoga - Dr. Niloofar Borghei Razavi
Website: nilbon.co.uk
Email: niloofar.br@nilbon.co.uk
22 Nov 2023
Episode 7 – Cancer, PTSD, and Trauma-informed Treatment Options for Cancer – Conversation Dr. Nina Fuller Shavel
This episode includes discussions about PTSD and trauma, which might be sensitive or triggering for some. We believe in the importance of these topics and their impact on mental health awareness. However, we also recognise the importance of self-care. If at any point you find the content too distressing, please feel free to pause, skip, or stop listening. Take care of yourself and seek support if needed.
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel
MB BChir MA Hons (Cantab) FBANT DipIM DipCHM PGCert IFMCP DipION RYT300
Personalised & Integrative Medicine Doctor, Scientist and Educator
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is an award-winning Oxbridge-trained integrative medicine doctor, scientist and educator with over a decade’s experience in integrative healthcare. Dr Fuller-Shavel is the Co-Chair of BSIO (British Society for Integrative Oncology) and a Fellow of both the College of Medicine and the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT). Alongside her scientific and medical training, Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel holds multiple qualifications in nutrition, integrative medicine, functional medicine (IFMCP), health coaching (FMCA), herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, yoga, mindfulness and other therapeutic approaches.
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is the founder and Director of Synthesis Clinic, an innovative
multidisciplinary practice in Hampshire, specialising in women’s health and integrative cancer care. In 2022 Dr Fuller-Shavel won a prestigious Innovation Leader of the Year award for her inspirational vision for healthcare and practice leadership. Alongside her clinical work, Dr Fuller-Shavel delivers educational programmes for medical and nutrition professionals (including her Systems Approach to Cancer Programme), as well as participating in research in integrative medicine and precision health and contributing to editorial boards and guideline development panels nationally and internationally. Finally, Dr Fuller-Shavel is the Co-Founder and Director of Oncio CIC, an innovative non-profit aimed at providing high quality app-based resources for people with cancer and healthcare professionals and supporting best clinical practice and research in integrative oncology.
Find out more about Dr Fuller-Shavel’s work at:
https://www.drninafullershavel.com/
https://www.oncio.org/
https://www.synthesisclinic.co.uk/
In this interview, we discuss:
The meaning of trauma
PTSD in cancer diagnosis and treatment
The importance of trauma-informed treatment options
The importance of mentorship for trauma-informed treatment options
The Polyvagal theory in the context of cancer
Strategies that can help in working with cancer patients
Co-regulation
The importance of research in the cancer PTSD field
Formal cancer survivorship programmes
Post-traumatic growth
You can contact Nilbon on:
Instagram: @nilbonyoga
LinkedIn: Nilbon Yoga - Dr. Niloofar Borghei Razavi
Website: nilbon.co.uk
Email: niloofar.br@nilbon.co.uk
10 Aug 2023
Episode 6 – Trauma-informed Yoga – Conversation with Ellie Grace
Disclaimer: In this episode, we discuss trauma and trauma-related topics. Please prioritise self-care and stop watching listening if this is a sensitive topic for you. This conversation should not be viewed as providing any diagnosis or treatment advice for trauma or other medical conditions. If you need professional support, please reach out to the official healthcare/mental health providers of your country.
Ellie Grace is a London-based yoga teacher trainer and educator with over a decade's experience in teaching and lecturing on yoga.
She offers 8 week-long mentorships for yoga teachers in trauma-informed yoga as a tool for social change as well as university-credited courses for first and second year medical students at Queen Mary University London on the neurophysiological benefits of yoga.
Previously, Ellie developed and taught a course for undergraduates at Loyola Marymount University, California on mind-body studies through yoga and has lectured on LMU's Science & Theology course.
Ellie holds an MA in Yoga Studies from LMU, California where her research specialism focussed on the effects of grief and trauma on the mind and body and the ways yoga, meditation and writing can bring about healing.
She has worked with war veterans overcoming PTSD (UCLA), health clinics (Venice Family Clinic), private clients, yoga teachers, community groups, NHS doctors, medical students (Queen Mary University), undergraduates (LMU) and socially-minded organisations seeking to create a sustainable, human-centred culture inspired by yoga ethics (The New York Times & The School for Social Entrepreneurs).
She is also a contributing meditation teacher on Insight Timer.
You can reach out to Ellie on:
Instagram: @elliegraceyoga
Website: https://ellie-grace.com
In this interview, we discuss:
Ellie's personal journey to discovering yoga,
Creating safety in the body,
Trauma and PTSD,
Trauma-informed yoga and how it differs from a general yoga class.
You can contact Nilbon on:
Instagram: @nilbonyoga
LinkedIn: Nilbon Yoga - Dr. Niloofar Borghei Razavi
Website: nilbon.co.uk
Email: niloofar.br@nilbon.co.uk
You can contact Nilbon on:
Instagram: @nilbonyoga
LinkedIn: Nilbon Yoga - Dr. Niloofar Borghei Razavi
Website: nilbon.co.uk
Email: niloofar.br@nilbon.co.uk
17 May 2023
Episode 5 - Integrative oncology and Systems Approach to cancer - Conversation with Dr. Nina Fuller-Shavel
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel
MB BChir MA Hons (Cantab) FBANT DipIM DipCHM PGCert IFMCP DipION RYT300
Personalised & Integrative Medicine Doctor, Scientist and Educator
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is an award-winning Oxbridge-trained integrative medicine doctor, scientist and educator with over a decade’s experience in integrative healthcare. Dr Fuller-Shavel is the Co-Chair of BSIO (British Society for Integrative Oncology) and a Fellow of both the College of Medicine and the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT). Alongside her scientific and medical training, Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel holds multiple qualifications in nutrition, integrative medicine, functional medicine (IFMCP), health coaching (FMCA), herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, yoga, mindfulness and other therapeutic approaches.
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is the founder and Director of Synthesis Clinic, an innovative
multidisciplinary practice in Hampshire, specialising in women’s health and integrative cancer care. In 2022 Dr Fuller-Shavel won a prestigious Innovation Leader of the Year award for her inspirational vision for healthcare and practice leadership. Alongside her clinical work, Dr Fuller-Shavel delivers educational programmes for medical and nutrition professionals (including her Systems Approach to Cancer Programme), as well as participating in research in integrative medicine and precision health and contributing to editorial boards and guideline development panels nationally and internationally. Finally, Dr Fuller-Shavel is the Co-Founder and Director of Oncio CIC, an innovative non-profit aimed at providing high quality app-based resources for people with cancer and healthcare professionals and supporting best clinical practice and research in integrative oncology.
Find out more about Dr Fuller-Shavel’s work at:
https://www.drninafullershavel.com/
https://www.oncio.org/
https://www.synthesisclinic.co.uk/
In this interview, we discuss:
The definition and aim of integrative oncology
Access to integrative oncology services in the UK
The importance of accessing acurate information from qualified specialists
The importance of dynamic personalisation in cancer treatment
The importance of developing survivorship programmes for cancer patients
Patient engagement
Cancer pain and the role of complimentary therapies in cancer pain management
Yoga and yoga therapy
Oncio app and its feature for supporting cancer patients and healthcare professionals
In this episode, Dr. Fuller-Shavel refers to the ASCO's guideline for management of cancer pain. You can access this guideline via this link: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.22.01357
You can contact Nilbon on:
Instagram: @nilbonyoga
LinkedIn: Nilbon Yoga - Dr. Niloofar Borghei Razavi
Website: nilbon.co.uk
Email: niloofar.br@nilbon.co.uk
27 Apr 2023
Episode 4 - The relationship between sleep and pain - Conversation with Dr. Heather Martarella
Dr. Heather Martarella is an expert on helping clients reclaim their lives and find relief from chronic pain and insomnia/sleep issues. Dr. Martarella became passionate about specializing in chronic pain after experiencing her own physical injury in 2012, which left her with chronic pain for years.
In this conversation, we talked about:
Sleep and insomnia
Conditioning and brain associations
The impact of social media and our phone on our sleep patterns
Sensitisation or priming of the nervous system
The importance of pain education
Movement and body scan
Grief
You can contact Nilbon on:
Instagram: @nilbonyoga
LinkedIn: Nilbon Yoga - Dr. Niloofar Borghei Razavi
Website: nilbon.co.uk
Email: niloofar.br@nilbon.co.uk
26 Jan 2023
Episode 3 - Understanding children's experience of pain - Interview with Dr. Joshua Pate
Dr. Pate, in his own words, "in the daytime, works as a lecturer in physiotherapy at the University of Technology Sydney and by night, creates learning resourses like children’s books and online animations". His Ted-ed animations include the The Fascinating Science of Phantom Limbs and The Mysterious Science of Pain. He has recently published his children’s book series “Zoe and Zack’s Pain Hacks". Each of these five books explores a key learning outcome of pain science education. He is also the co-founder of the One Thing Platform, which is a video platform of brief interviews with pain speakers sharing their one thing.
Episode resources:
Dr. Joshua Pate's website: https://joshuawpate.com (https://joshuawpate.com)
Zoe and Zaks Pain Hacks: https://www.noigroup.com/product/zoe-and-zaks-pain-hacks/ (https://www.noigroup.com/product/zoe-and-zaks-pain-hacks/)
The Fascinating Science of Phantom Limbs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdihphPp1Q0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdihphPp1Q0)
The Mysterious Science of Pain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eakyDiXX6Uc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eakyDiXX6Uc)
Concept of Pain Inventory: https://joshuawpate.com/concept-of-pain-inventory/ (https://joshuawpate.com/concept-of-pain-inventory/)
You can contact Nilbon on:
Instagram: @nilbonyoga
LinkedIn: Nilbon Yoga - Dr. Niloofar Borghei Razavi
Website: nilbon.co.uk
Email: niloofar.br@nilbon.co.uk
7 Dec 2022
Episode 2 - Relearning how we think about pain - Conversation with Dr. Deepak Ravindran
In this episode, we talked about so many diverse and interesting topics including:
Relearning how we think about pain
Complexity of pain
Factors contributing to chronicity of pain
The Pain-Free Mindset
Is pain always an indication of danger?
Pain as protection
Top-down and bottom up signaling
The embodied self
Integrative approach to pain
Patient empowerment
Harnessing the power of community in managing chronic health
Dr Deepak Ravindran has over 20 years of experience in helping people overcome their pain – in the NHS and private practice. He is one of the few consultants in the UK who possesses triple certification in lifestyle medicine, musculoskeletal medicine and pain medicine. He has been a consultant in pain medicine since 2010 in one of the biggest district general medical hospitals, the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. He is currently the clinical lead for the specialist pain services for all of West Berkshire since 2015. In 2020, he helped set up the Berkshire Long Covid Integrated service, one of 90 such clinics in the UK to look after Long Covid patients.
For more information about Dr. Ravindran's work please visit his website:
https://deepakravindran.co.uk
You can purchase Dr. Ravindran's book "The Pain-Free Mindset" on:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1785043390/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_SFSAP88BB24HVJ5XX6KS
You can contact Nilbon on:
Instagram: @nilbonyoga
LinkedIn: Nilbon Yoga - Dr. Niloofar Borghei Razavi
Website: nilbon.co.uk
Email: niloofar.br@nilbon.co.uk
12 Sept 2022
Episode 1 - Understanding pain from a psychological perspective - Conversation with Dr. Richard Harrison
In this episode, we talk about Dr. Harrison's background and research interests, the difference between injury and pain, and the role of mindfulness in pain management.
Dr. Harrison is a psychologist and the Co-Head of CINN Pain Lab at the university of Reading. His reserach focuses predominately on pain, examining psychological processes underlying how pain is processed, as well as individual differences in the ability to modulate (or control) the experience of pain.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
https://www.iasp-pain.org
https://www.britishpainsociety.org
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pain-Free-Mindset-Control-Overcoming-Chronic/dp/1785043390
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/22813/the-challenge-of-pain-by-ronald-melzack-and-patrick-d-wall/9780140256703
http://richaharrison.com
You can contact Nilbon on:
Instagram: @nilbonyoga
LinkedIn: Nilbon Yoga - Dr. Niloofar Borghei Razavi
Website: nilbon.co.uk
Email: niloofar.br@nilbon.co.uk
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