The Modern Pain Podcast
The Modern Pain Podcast
This isn’t another show about fixing people. Modern Pain Care Beyond the Fix is where clinicians, thinkers, and changemakers come to explore a more human, evidence-aligned, and sustainable approach to helping people in pain. Real conversations. Practical insights. No fluff. If you’re ready to grow beyond protocols and start practicing with more clarity, confidence, and connection—you’re in the right place.
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The Modern Pain Podcast
Latest Episode

HLH Nearly Killed Me—Here’s What It Taught Me About Care

🎙️ What happens when a clinician becomes the patient—and almost doesn’t survive?
 💥 HLH. ICU. Life support. Then… powerlifting again.

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Recent Episodes

Feb. 1, 2026

HLH Nearly Killed Me—Here’s What It Taught Me About Care

🎙️ What happens when a clinician becomes the patient—and almost doesn’t survive?  💥 HLH. ICU. Life support. Then… powerlifting again.
Jan. 11, 2026

Why Imaging Misses Chronic Pain: Structural vs Physiologic Thinking (Part 2)

Part 2 goes from definitions to implications. Bottom-up pain does not mean “it’s in the tissues.” This episode is a recording of a live interview with pain researcher and clinician Asaf Weissman. If you haven’t watched Part 1, start there—we laid the foundation: why pain semantics matter, how mixed…
Jan. 4, 2026

Nociception vs Pain: Why Semantics Matter in Chronic Pain (Part 1)

Chronic pain care is stuck—and definitions may be the reason. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we reset how clinicians talk about nociception and pain. This episode is a recording of a live interview with pain researcher and clinician Asaf Weissman, whose work explores the relationship between no…
Dec. 28, 2025

Chronic Back Pain? What ACTUALLY Helps Long-Term Recovery

Enrolling our next cohort of Pain Practice OS soon - JOIN US! Most back pain improves – but how we guide recovery makes all the difference. In this part 2 conversation with Dr. Jim Eubanks, we dig into: First-line care for acute low back painWhy rest is often the worst adviceThe role (and limits) o…
Dec. 14, 2025

The Back Pain Myths Making Recovery Harder (Part 1)

In this episode, Dr. Jim Eubanks, physiatrist and spine specialist, breaks down the most harmful back pain myths patients encounter online-and what clinicians can say instead. If you've ever struggled to help a patient move p...
Dec. 7, 2025

Why "Manual Therapy" Holds OMPT Back (Fellowship Director Responds)

I sit down with Mark Shepherd, fellowship program director, to tackle a controversial question: Is the "manual therapy" label holding back our profession?

About the Host

Mark Kargela Profile Photo
Mark Kargela

Host / Clinician / Faculty / Father / Husband

Mark Kargela is a physical therapist, educator, and founder of Modern Pain Care. With over two decades of clinical experience, Mark brings a refreshing, human-first approach to pain care—one that ditches the fix-it model and empowers both patients and clinicians to engage with complexity, uncertainty, and meaningful change. This podcast is where clinical skill meets real-life context, challenging outdated norms and offering conversations that help you grow your practice, your mindset, and your impact.

Reviews

Treat yourself to this podcast!

"I’ve loved this podcast from its birth and so happy to hear Dr Kargela is not letting it go! The topics are always relevant to my day to day experiences as a physical therapist and I find the discu…"

Feb. 4, 2023 · John Tyschyk

Top Physical Therapy Podcast

"Great, informative podcast. All orthopedic PTs who treat patients with persistent pain should listen."

Feb. 4, 2023 · Christie Pong

Love it!

"The MPC crew consistently provide an up-to-date and nuanced take on the state of pain management and the physical therapy landscape. Highly recommended!"

Feb. 4, 2023 · Zachary Huff

Why I love my career again

"As a recent Chiropractic grad, I am beyond happy I came across this podcast. I have always been skeptical/curious of certain rehab narratives or treatment options as I come from a research background…"

July 22, 2024 · Mitchel Gibson