The Cutting Edge of Chronic Pain Treatment (& What's Overhyped) | Q&A with Alec Bradbury (FNP)

This week on Calling in Sick x Ask Alex, Alec Bradbury, FNP is back for round two — and we're getting into what's actually on the cutting edge of chronic pain. New research, new healing modalities, what we're both genuinely excited about, and where to pump the brakes before you hand over your money. If you've ever been told your pain is "of unknown origin," or you've been burned chasing a miracle cure, this one is for you. We're diving into: 🧠 Nociplastic pain — the THIRD pain type (only formally named in 2017!) and why it finally validates conditions like fibromyalgia, IBS, and chronic low back pain 📊 Function over the pain scale — why "rate it 0-10" fails you, what to document instead (especially if you're seeking disability), and the BPI 🔬 What's a real breakthrough — the PRT trial (66% pain-free or nearly so after 4 weeks, with results holding at 5 years) + EAET for trauma 💊 What's new in meds + tech — suzetrigine (the non-addictive Nav1.8 blocker), closed-loop spinal cord stimulators, and AI "digital twins" 🍄 The hopeful frontier — ketamine, psilocybin & MDMA therapy, PRP, and why Alex calls ketamine a turning point in her CRPS 🚩 Buyer beware — the stem cell clinic stats that'll scare you, and the rule: if anyone sells you a silver bullet, RUN xx, Alex 💬 Comment: what's a chronic pain treatment you're curious about — or one that actually worked for you? 🎧 New here? Go back to Monday's full episode with Alec for the foundation on how pain is taught (and mistaught). Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! What's changing in how pain is talked about + documented Nociplastic pain — the third pain type, finally named Function over the pain scale (and why it matters for disability) The humanness of pain + implicit bias on what pain "should" feel like Believing your patients — lived experience vs. taking it at face value Genuine breakthroughs: the PRT trial + 5-year follow-up EAET for trauma — and how trauma changes pain physiology New meds + tech: suzetrigine, spinal cord stimulators, AI digital twins The hopeful frontier: ketamine, psilocybin, MDMA + Alex's CRPS story PRP, PEMF, infrared — "woo woo" going mainstream Buyer beware: stem cells, false claims + the silver bullet rule Thank you for listening! Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Find Alec: https://www.instagram.com/alecbradburyfnp/ Alex's Picks of the Week: Since we're talking pain, here are my two favorite pain management tools 💊 ✨ CBD Living Topical CBD — THC-free, nano-sized CBD for better absorption + a menthol cooling effect. The ONLY topical that's ever given me real relief (note: not pregnancy-safe) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-54591626 ✨ Salonpas Lidocaine Patches — pregnancy-safe, ~$10/pack, lasts about a month. Always in my purse, hospital go-bag, and chemo bag — https://amzn.to/4wfu3X5 #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #PainManagement #NociplasticPain #NeuroplasticPain #PainReprocessingTherapy #KetamineTherapy #Fibromyalgia #CRPS #PainResearch #MindBodyConnection #ChronicPainAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #AlecBradbury #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices