SDAHO is pleased to announce a three-part virtual education series, Pain Uncovered: The Hidden Connections Shaping Relief and Dependence, presented by Dr. Jennifer Ball. This series will explore the complex nature of pain and the critical connections between trauma, neurobiology, and opioid-related risk.
Chronic pain exists along a continuum—from acute injury to long-standing, centralized pain shaped by neuroplastic changes, trauma, and stress. Advances in neuroscience and epigenetics have deepened our understanding of why pain can persist long after tissue healing, highlighting the importance of accurately identifying pain type to guide appropriate, patient-centered treatment while recognizing the risks associated with long-term opioid therapy, persistent opioid dependence, and opioid use disorder. These sessions will examine current evidence to support integrated strategies that address pain, trauma, and opioid-related risk together.
Session Topics Include:
- March 9: Echoes in the Nervous System: Trauma’s Influence on Pain Pathways
- April 13: From First Hurt to Lasting Relief: Rethinking Pain Treatment
- May 11: Chasing Comfort: The Hidden Dance Between Pain and Dependence
All sessions will be held on the second Monday of each month from 12:00–1:00 p.m. CST and are free and open to all health care professionals, including nurses, providers, pharmacists, administrators, and any staff involved in patient care. The series is approved for continuing education, including nursing home administrator and social worker credits and certificate of attendance .
Check out this flyer for more info. Participants are encouraged to print and display the flyer at their facility and share this opportunity with colleagues who may be interested. You can also register here.
We hope you will join us for this important learning opportunity. If you have questions, please reach out to Loretta Bryan, BSN, RN, CPHQ at loretta.bryan@sdaho.org.
