Contributors
The Institute for Chronic Pain (ICP) is an educational and public policy think tank devoted to bringing about what the Institute of Medicine called for in its 2011 blueprint, Relieving Pain in America: "Addressing the... enormous burden of pain will require a transformation in the way that pain is understood, assessed and treated." At the ICP, we recognize that the need for this extensive transformation is due to the fact that society's understanding of both pain and its treatments haven't kept pace with the findings of basic and applied pain science. As such, the ICP aims to improve society's understanding of empirically-based conceptualizations and treatments of pain by being a transparently unbiased source of information to the public. We bring together thought leaders from around the world to provide academic quality information about pain and its most effective treatments. We aim for this information to be approachable to patients, their families, non-pain specialist healthcare providers, third-party payers, and public policy analysts.
The following individuals contribute their expertise and authorship to the Institute for Chronic Pain:
Melissa Cady
Melissa Cady, D.O. is an osteopathic physician with traditional training and dual board-certification in anesthesiology and pain medicine following her fellowship. Known as the Challenge Doctor, Dr. Cady chose not to join the typical pain practice out of conviction that there is a better way to address pain’s root cause and that better education and understanding are critical pieces for all involved. Her first pain educational effort is reflected in her recent book/audiobook release, PAINDEMIC (www.PaindemicBook.com).
Dr. Cady has developed a self-funded PainOutLoud.com membership website to highlight the stories of those who have found ways to overcome their pain and also the professionals who are devoted to helping those in pain with more holistic and educational considerations.
Jessica Del Pozo
Dr. Jessica Del Pozo is the founder of PACE, a four-week chronic pain management program (www.paceforpain.org). She is also is also on staff of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department of Kaiser Permanente, in northern California, working within an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program. Dr. Del Pozo is also a co-author of the Gut Solution, a book for families of those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) utilizing SEEDS (Stress, Education, Diet, and Sleep), a biopsychosocial approach to IBS and recurrent abdominal pain (RAP). Dr. Del Pozo holds masters and doctorate degrees from California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego, CA.
Adriaan Louw
Adriaan Louw, PT, PhD, CSMT, is the co-founder and CEO of International Spine & Pain Institute (ISPI). Adriaan earned both an undergraduate as well as a master’s degree in research and spinal surgery rehabilitation from the University of Stellenbosch in Cape Town, South Africa. He is a guest lecturer/adjunct faculty at Rockhurst University, St. Ambrose University and the University of Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, he maintains a clinical practice and is co-owner of The Ortho Spine and Pain Clinic in Story City, Iowa. Adriaan has been teaching postgraduate, spinal manual therapy and pain science classes throughout the US and internationally for 15 years. He is a Certified Spinal Manual Therapist through ISPI. In addition, Adriaan has presented at numerous national and international manual therapy, pain science and medical conferences and has authored and co-authored articles, books and book chapters related to spinal disorders and pain science. In addition, Adriaan Louw is the co-author of a clinical guide to TNE and the author of a series of books for patients, including Why Do I Hurt? and Your Fibromyalgia Workbook. The TNE guide and the patient books are available at OPTP. Recently, Adriaan completed his Ph.D., which centers on therapeutic neuroscience education and spinal disorders.
Murray J. McAllister
Murray J. McAllister, PsyD, is a pain psychologist, and the founder and editor of the Institute for Chronic Pain. He holds a Doctor of Psychology degree from Antioch University, New England, and a Master's degree in philosophy from the University of Oregon. He also consults to pain clinics and health systems on redesigning pain care delivery to make it more empirically supported and cost effective. Dr. McAllister is a frequent presenter to conferences and is a published author in peer reviewed journals. His current research interests are in the relationships between fear-avoidance, pain catastrophizing, and perceived disability.
Jay Tracy
Jay Tracy, PA-C, PsyD, is a retired clinical psychologist and a physician's assistant who specialized in the field of chronic pain rehabilitation. He worked as both a clinician and a director of various chronic pain rehabilitation programs. He has also held an adjunct professor post in the counseling psychology program at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, where he taught graduate level neuropsychology and biological bases of behavior courses. He is the author of two books, Pain: It's Not All In Your Head; The Test Don't Show Everything and Pain: Nerves On Fire; Changing Neuropathic Pain.