Neil Pearson

MSc, BScPT, BA-BPHE, CYT, RYT500

"Pain self-management should not be the last treatment resort for people in chronic pain. Modern science and patient experience tells us we have much more ability to control pain than is generally accepted.” Neil Pearson

Neil is the founder and director of Neil Pearson Physiotherapist Corporation, which operates as life is now. He focuses on providing the knowledge and tools for effective pain self-management 

Neil works as a registered physiotherapist, and a certified yoga therapist in Penticton, BC, Canada.  He is an international educator, Clinical Assistant Professor at University of British Columbia, and the Chair of the Pain Science Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

 

Education

Neil holds both a physical therapy degree and a degree in physical and health education from Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. After 6 years of working in hospitals and private practice, Neil returned to Queen's to complete a research Master's degree in Rehabilitation Science. In 1993, Neil published his master's research results in the prestigious medical journal, SPINE (1995; Jun 1;20(11):1245-50). Neil is also a certified yoga therapist.

 

Teaching/International Workshop Experience

Neil has worked as an instructor at Queen’s University and as a Clinical Assistant professor at the University of British Columbia – a position he maintains to this day.

Neil's passion for teaching and for pain science led him to develop courses to assist health care practitioners in providing treatment for people with persistent pain. Following the work of Lorimer Moseley and David Butler, the first focus of these courses was to provide practitioners with a new model for understanding pain and people in pain. Neil's well-received courses for health care professionals have expanded into one and two day workshops called Pain Science and Recovery, which he presents internationally.

Neil is an invited speaker for health care professionals, for people in pain, and for yoga teachers and therapists. The BC and Yukon Arthritis Societies work with Neil to offer his engaging scientific sessions,Overcome Pain, Live Well Again.

In 2008, Neil, along with four other equally committed Canadian physiotherapists (Diane Jacobs, David Walton, Debbie Patterson and Lesley Singer) set out to enhance the involvement of physiotherapists in the treatment of people in pain through the creation and delivery of an online course on pain science and pain management.  Deemed a success, the course attracted over 150 participants. Truly remarkable was the fact that it was able to reach remote locations where practitioners typically would not have access to such up-to-date and innovative information.

 

Physiotherapy and Pain Self-Management

Neil's physiotherapy practice is guided by more than twenty-five years as a physiotherapist, over six years in a multidisciplinary pain management centre, and by evidence based practice in the area of pain management.

In 2001, after 15 years as a physiotherapist and educator, Neil joined the Vancouver Pain Clinic. At this multidisciplinary clinic he gained considerable understanding of people in pain, while increasing his knowledge and expertise in the area of pain science. It was there that Neil's skills as a pain management educator truly excelled.

In 2007, Neil moved to Penticton, BC, Canada and incorporated his business as Neil Pearson Physiotherapist Corporation. That year he began research into the effectiveness of large group pain management education. He also began the production of his pain management products including a patient education book, an education DVD, a Yoga DVD and audio CD’s all aimed at helping those with chronic pain live healthier lives.

In 2008, Neil became the founding Chair of the Pain Science Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Presently, he focuses his clinical work on one-on-one education, treatment, and therapeutic yoga. He collaborates with local doctors, physiotherapists, pilates instructors, counsellors, psychologists and yoga teachers. An inspiring speaker, Neil continues to present his ideas on the international stage, hoping to create a lasting change in the way people perceive pain and its role in the body.