Dr Bronwyn Thompson has worked in the field of pain management for most of her clinical career.

Her roles have included:

• occupational therapy

• pain psychology

• vocational management

• policy development

Bronwyn has recently completed a PhD developing a theory of living well with chronic pain. She also holds a MSc (1st class hons) in Psychology from Canterbury University, and a Diploma in Occupational Therapy from CIT.

She teaches postgraduate papers in pain and pain management, with a particular focus on psychosocial factors, coping and resilience.

Odette is a Wellington-based pain management coach and registered massage therapist specialising in pain management, injury rehabilitation and mental wellbeing. Prior to embarking on a change in career as a massage therapist, Odette spent 16 years working in the community, mental health and primary health sectors.

She completed diplomas in Therapeutic Massage and Sports and Massage Therapy at the New Zealand College of Massage in Wellington in 2014. As her practice developed and grew, she began to see more clients with chronic pain conditions and became interested in learning about this area to better assist her clients. In 2019 she embarked on study in this area through University of Otago and graduated in 2022 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, endorsed in Pain and Pain Management. This provided her with knowledge and skills to offer pain management coaching in addition to massage therapy.

Odette’s clinical philosophy is influenced by three main approaches:

• evidence-informed practice which combines current best research with clinical expertise and client values and needs;

• whole person-centred care which respects a person's own knowledge and experience of their condition;

• the biopsychosocial model which acknowledges the relationship between biological, psychological and social factors that influence wellness and illness.

RMT (MANZ), PGDipHealSc (Pain) (Otago)

Rachel Ah Kit is owner of a multi-room clinic, Bodyworks Massage Therapy in Christchurch. She opened the clinic in 2010 and continues to practice full time. Her clinical focus is working with people in pain to help them gain confidence to live a quality life, even with pain. 

Rachel holds a Diploma of Massage Therapy from the Canterbury College of Natural Medicine, and a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University.  She received a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, endorsed in Pain and Pain Management, from the University of Otago in 2020. This programme emphasises both practical skills and theoretical knowledge from an evidence-based perspective within the biopsychosocial framework endorsed by the International Association for the Study of Pain.

Rachel is about to complete her Master of Health Sciences by thesis, also through the University of Otago, Health Sciences division. Her research focus is understanding the beliefs New Zealand massage therapists hold towards low back pain and integrating movement into their clinical practice. This research will provide insight into how massage therapists compare with other health professionals with regards to low back pain, an issue that affects the majority of the population at some time in their life. 

Rachel was also the editor of the Massage Aotearoa New Zealand member magazine for three years. She has been a member of Massage Aotearoa New Zealand for 14 years and is also a member of the New Zealand Pain Society and the International Association for the Study of Pain.