Ep 232 What You Need to Know about Acute and Chronic Pain

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions In this episode of the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia podcast, host Mike introduces the podcast's first medical doctor guest, Dr. Maureen Allen. Dr. Allen shares her extensive journey from being a nurse to becoming a family medicine physician and an emergency medicine expert in Nova Scotia, Canada. The episode dives deep into the complexities of managing chronic pain, explaining how palliative care intersects with chronic pain treatment and the challenges patients face in finding the right care. They discuss the distinctions between acute and chronic pain, the role of emergency departments, and the need for a bottom-up approach to pain management. Dr. Allen also highlights the importance of patient education and shares insights from her own practice to help listeners understand and manage chronic pain more effectively. Watch on YouTube HERE 00:00 Welcome to the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast 00:10 Introducing Dr. Maureen Allen 00:55 Dr. Allen's Medical Journey 01:54 Chronic Pain and Palliative Care 02:36 Addressing Misconceptions About Substance Use 04:00 Challenges in Diagnosing Fibromyalgia 05:39 Pain Education and Management in Canada 09:08 Emergency Departments and Pain Management 13:09 Understanding Chronic Pain Flare-ups 20:13 Patient Concerns and Misdiagnoses 23:29 Understanding Chronic Pain 24:22 Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain 25:30 Pain Protective Behaviors 27:33 The Role of Exercise in Pain Management 32:27 The Intersection of Anxiety and Pain 36:05 The Importance of Education and Support 40:29 Real Stories and Hope Click here for the YouTube Channel Click here for the YouTube channel International Conference on ADHD in November 2025 where Dr. Lenz will be one of the speakers. Support the show When I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...