Ep 49 – Motivational Interviewing in Physio-Physical Therapy
Talking To Change - A Motivational Interviewing PodcastShow Notes
Physio-Physical Therapy
Glenn and Seb welcomed Maddy Nicholson to the podcast to discuss MI in physio-physical therapy for chronic pain. Maddy has been a registered physiotherapist for 15 years, specialising for 10 years as a clinical specialist physiotherapist in persistent pain management. She is currently working as a senior lecturer and programme leader for physiotherapy at Wrexham Glyndwr University in Wales, UK. Maddy is currently a PhD student at Sheffield Hallam University with Professor Jeff Breckon as director of studies, where she is exploring MI in Musculoskeletal physiotherapy care.
She became a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) after attending the training for new trainers (TNT) in Estonia in 2019 and has delivered MI training to psychology trainees, student and registered physiotherapists, sports injury rehabilitation students, occupational therapists, dieticians, substance misuse workers and medical practitioners.
Maddy enjoys being involved in the MINT community within events such as MINT UK forum, MINT forum, ‘MINT around the clock’ and the MI ‘playground’.
Motivational Interviewing in physiotherapy and chronic pain
Maddy explores how Motivational Interviewing can support physiotherapy conversations, particularly with people experiencing persistent or chronic pain. MI can help practitioners move beyond giving advice to understand what matters to the person, the meaning behind change talk and the emotions that may sit underneath decisions about rehabilitation and activity.
The episode also considers multidisciplinary care, allowing emotion into the consultation and using genuine affirmations. These themes connect with Affirmations, Change Talk and Motivational Interviewing in Healthcare.
In this episode
00:00 – Introduction and episode preview
05:43 – Maddy’s intro and early MI story
11:43 – How does MI fit in the world of a physio?
18:00 – Getting “underneath” the change talk
28:04 – “The swivel chair” story: Letting emotion in the room
33:50 – Using MI in a multidisciplinary approach for chronic pain
46:30 – Genuineness in affirmations
53:55 – Embodying MI as a university lecturer
59:45 – Maddy’s new lecturer role and her Ph.D.
1:04:11 – End of interview
1:04:18 – Maddy’s role play – Using MI with a person with back pain
1:19:50 – Role play debrief
1:46:57 – End of episode
Links and contact information:
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @motivationalmad
For suggestions, questions and to enquire about training in Motivational Interviewing contact Glenn & Sebastian
Listen to Episode 49
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