Episode 131: Aubrey Gowing - What Exactly Is Chronic Pain and Where Does Manual Therapy Fit?

In this episode, we’re joined by Aubrey Gowing to unpack one of the most challenging areas in clinical practice: chronic pain.

Aubrey brings over 40 years of experience in massage education and clinical work to the conversation, sharing a clear and practical framework for understanding why chronic pain develops and what therapists can actually do about it.

We explore the difference between acute and chronic pain, why some conditions seem to come and go, and the common traps therapists fall into when treating persistent issues. Aubrey challenges the idea that pain is always located at the site of the problem, and outlines a more effective approach based on identifying patterns of dysfunction and treating the body as a system.

The conversation moves from theory into application, including:

• Why treating the site of pain often leads to short-term results,
• The role of antagonistic muscles in chronic conditions,
• How tissue changes, nervous system sensitisation, and joint dysfunction interact,
• Practical principles to improve treatment outcomes immediately,
• How to balance intensity and effectiveness without causing pain,

We also touch on communication, clinical reasoning, and the importance of building trust to improve outcomes.

Aubrey references key resources during the episode, including:

• The Essential 8 Stretches → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub0IZeiRZyA
• Strolling Under the Skin (Dr Jean-Claude Guimberteau) → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW0lvOVKDxE&t=592s

If you’re working with clients who have “tried everything” and still aren’t improving, this episode will give you a clearer way to think about chronic pain and a more structured approach to treating it.

Learn more with Aubrey and the Holistic College Dublin: https://www.hcd.ie/

Upcoming Training
Aubrey will be presenting at the Massage & Myotherapy Australia 2026 National Conference in Geelong, as well as delivering a three-part masterclass series across Melbourne, Brisbane, and Hobart in June.

https://www.massagemyotherapy.com.au/Professionalism-and-Excellence/2026-National-Conference

https://www.massagemyotherapy.com.au/Education/Find-CPE-Events

Support the Podcast
If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast and consider buying us a coffee via the link in the show notes.

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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc