Episode 64: Pain, Acceptance and Empowerment: Rethinking the Chronic Pain Journey

What does it really mean to “accept” chronic pain? Is it passive? Defeatist? Or could it be one of the most powerful tools in the pain recovery process?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Le Pub Scientifique Pain Podcast, Tim Beames joins host Bart van Buchem to explore how acceptance—far from meaning surrender—can provide a path toward self-understanding, reduced suffering, and renewed agency.

Drawing on clinical experience, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and lived narratives, Tim and Bart explore:

• How acceptance differs from resignation

• Why so many people resist the concept

• Language and metaphors that resonate in clinical practice

• How to support patients in moving from resistance to presence

• The coexistence of pain relief strategies and acceptance

• Real clinical examples and communication tips

Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or someone living with persistent pain, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical strategies for reframing pain as something to relate to, not battle.

Referenced resources include:

• Lance McCracken’s ACT research

• Bronnie Thompson’s work on “Living well with pain”

• Le Pub’s Clinical Confidence Series with Laura Rathbone

🎧 Subscribe and follow for more episodes diving deep into pain science, human connection, and evidence-informed care.