Harvard 40th Annual Evaluation and Treatment of Pain Conference 2026 (Videos)
Comprehensive Updates in Pain Medicine, Chronic Pain, Acute Pain, Cancer Pain, Opioid Therapy, Interventional Pain Management, Behavioral Medicine, and Multidisciplinary Pain Care
Advance your expertise in modern pain management with the Harvard 40th Annual Evaluation and Treatment of Pain Conference 2026, one of the most respected continuing medical education (CME) programs dedicated to comprehensive, evidence-based pain medicine. Developed by Harvard Medical School, this multidisciplinary conference provides an in-depth review of current scientific advances and practical clinical strategies for evaluating and treating acute, chronic, and cancer-related pain across diverse patient populations.
Recognizing that pain remains one of the most undertreated medical conditions worldwide, this expert-led educational program equips clinicians with the knowledge and skills needed to improve patient outcomes while minimizing treatment-related risks. Through comprehensive lectures, clinical case discussions, and evidence-based guideline reviews, participants explore the latest pharmacologic therapies, behavioral interventions, interventional procedures, rehabilitation strategies, and complementary approaches to pain management.
The conference features internationally recognized experts from anesthesiology, neurology, psychiatry, psychology, internal medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and interventional radiology, providing a truly multidisciplinary perspective on the diagnosis and treatment of pain disorders.
Product Details
- Course: Harvard 40th Annual Evaluation and Treatment of Pain Conference 2026
- Provider: Harvard Medical School
- Edition: 40th Annual Conference
- Format: Videos
- Language: English
- Educational Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Learning Format: Expert Lectures, Clinical Case Discussions, Evidence-Based Reviews
Course Overview
Pain affects millions of individuals worldwide and remains one of the leading causes of disability, healthcare utilization, and reduced quality of life. Despite remarkable advances in pain science, many patients continue to experience inadequate pain control due to delayed diagnosis, suboptimal treatment selection, or inappropriate use of analgesic therapies.
The Harvard 40th Annual Evaluation and Treatment of Pain Conference 2026 provides a comprehensive review of contemporary pain medicine by integrating advances in neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology, rehabilitation, and interventional pain management. Participants learn practical diagnostic strategies, evidence-based treatment algorithms, and multidisciplinary approaches that address the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of pain.
The curriculum covers acute pain, chronic non-cancer pain, cancer pain, pediatric pain, end-of-life pain, opioid stewardship, non-opioid pharmacotherapy, minimally invasive interventions, behavioral medicine, and complementary therapies, enabling clinicians to deliver safe, individualized, and effective pain care.
What You’ll Learn
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Diagnose common acute and chronic pain syndromes using evidence-based clinical approaches.
- Compare pharmacologic, behavioral, rehabilitative, and interventional pain treatments.
- Apply current opioid prescribing guidelines and opioid stewardship principles.
- Develop individualized treatment plans for chronic, acute, pediatric, and cancer-related pain.
- Incorporate non-pharmacologic therapies, including yoga and behavioral interventions, into pain management.
- Optimize end-of-life pain control using multidisciplinary strategies.
- Improve patient safety while minimizing adverse effects associated with analgesic therapies.
- Integrate the latest clinical research into everyday pain management practice.
Comprehensive Topics Covered
Foundations of Pain Medicine
Develop a comprehensive understanding of modern pain science.
Topics include:
- Pain physiology
- Pain pathways
- Pain mechanisms
- Acute pain
- Chronic pain
- Neuropathic pain
- Nociceptive pain
- Central sensitization
Faculty review the biological mechanisms underlying pain perception and their clinical implications.
Chronic Pain Management
Strengthen your approach to complex chronic pain disorders.
Topics include:
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Chronic low back pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoarthritis
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Persistent postoperative pain
- Individualized treatment planning
Acute Pain Management
Review evidence-based strategies for managing acute pain.
Topics include:
- Acute postoperative pain
- Trauma-related pain
- Emergency pain management
- Multimodal analgesia
- Regional anesthesia
- Enhanced recovery protocols
Cancer Pain & Palliative Care
Enhance pain management for patients with cancer and serious illness.
Topics include:
- Cancer pain
- Breakthrough pain
- End-of-life pain
- Palliative medicine
- Symptom management
- Individualized analgesic therapy
Faculty emphasize compassionate, patient-centered approaches that improve comfort and quality of life.
Pharmacologic Pain Management
Explore current medication strategies for pain control.
Topics include:
- Non-opioid analgesics
- NSAIDs
- Acetaminophen
- Antidepressants
- Anticonvulsants
- Local anesthetics
- Multimodal pharmacotherapy
Opioid Therapy & Safe Prescribing
Review best practices for opioid prescribing and monitoring.
Topics include:
- Opioid selection
- Risk assessment
- Opioid stewardship
- Tapering strategies
- Adverse effects
- Misuse prevention
- Current prescribing guidelines
Participants learn how to balance effective analgesia with patient safety.
Interventional Pain Medicine
Gain practical knowledge of minimally invasive pain procedures.
Topics include:
- Epidural injections
- Nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Spinal interventions
- Image-guided procedures
- Neuromodulation
- Interventional radiology
Behavioral & Integrative Pain Management
Discover multidisciplinary approaches that improve long-term pain outcomes.
Topics include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Pain psychology
- Mindfulness
- Stress reduction
- Yoga therapy
- Lifestyle modification
- Patient education
Faculty review evidence supporting non-pharmacologic interventions as essential components of comprehensive pain management.
Pediatric Pain Management
Improve recognition and treatment of pain in children.
Topics include:
- Pediatric pain assessment
- Developmentally appropriate treatment
- Acute pediatric pain
- Chronic pediatric pain
- Current pediatric guidelines
- Family-centered care
Multidisciplinary Pain Care
Learn how collaborative care improves clinical outcomes.
Topics include:
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Orthopedic surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Interdisciplinary pain management
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants will be able to:
- Assess evidence-based methods for managing end-of-life pain.
- Compare pharmacologic, behavioral, rehabilitative, and interventional pain-relieving techniques.
- Apply current clinical guidelines for pediatric pain management.
- Incorporate yoga and other evidence-based non-pharmacologic therapies into pain treatment plans.
- Improve diagnosis and management of acute, chronic, and cancer-related pain.
- Integrate multidisciplinary strategies into comprehensive pain medicine practice.
Educational Highlights
- Pain Medicine
- Chronic Pain
- Acute Pain
- Cancer Pain
- Palliative Care
- End-of-Life Pain
- Opioid Stewardship
- Multimodal Analgesia
- Interventional Pain Management
- Regional Anesthesia
- Nerve Blocks
- Neuromodulation
- Pain Psychology
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Pediatric Pain
- Integrative Medicine
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Multidisciplinary Care
- Continuing Medical Education (CME)
Why This Course Stands Out
The Harvard 40th Annual Evaluation and Treatment of Pain Conference 2026 represents four decades of excellence in pain medicine education. Its multidisciplinary faculty brings together expertise from anesthesiology, neurology, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and interventional radiology to deliver a truly comprehensive review of pain management. By combining cutting-edge research with practical clinical applications, the conference equips healthcare professionals with evidence-based strategies for managing complex pain conditions while promoting patient safety, functional recovery, and improved quality of life.
Target Audience
This educational activity is ideal for:
- Pain Medicine Specialists
- Anesthesiologists
- Primary Care Physicians
- Internal Medicine Physicians
- Family Medicine Physicians
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Neurologists
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physicians (Physiatrists)
- Orthopedic Surgeons
- Neurosurgeons
- Interventional Radiologists
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
- Dentists and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
- Palliative Care Physicians
- Oncology Clinicians
- Residents, Fellows, and Allied Healthcare Professionals
Why Choose This Course?
Whether you specialize in primary care, anesthesiology, psychology, rehabilitation medicine, neurology, dentistry, or interventional pain management, the Harvard 40th Annual Evaluation and Treatment of Pain Conference 2026 provides one of the most comprehensive and clinically relevant reviews of contemporary pain medicine. Through expert-led lectures, multidisciplinary case discussions, guideline updates, and practical treatment strategies, this course empowers clinicians to deliver safer, more effective, and patient-centered care for individuals suffering from acute, chronic, and cancer-related pain.
+ Topics:
Monday, June 29, 2026
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
8:00-8:05 am
Lessons from the Past for Providing State-of-the-Art Pain Management in the Present
8:05-8:45 am
How to Perform a Focused Musculoskeletal Evaluation of the Patient in Pain: Practical Techniques and Maneuvers
8:45-9:30 am
Evaluating Abdominal and Pelvic Pain
9:30-10:15 am
Break
10:15-10:30 am
Psychosocial Evaluation of the Patient in Pain
10:30-11:15 am
Practical Pointers for Performing a Disability Evaluation
11:15 am-12:00 pm
Pose Your Questions to the Experts
12:00-12:30 pm
Lunch (on your own)
12:30-1:30 pm
Updates on Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain
1:30-2:30 pm
Herbal and Nutritional Supplements: What Works and What Doesn’t
2:30-3:15 pm
Break
3:15-3:30 pm
Acupuncture, Tai Chi and Yoga
3:30-4:15 pm
Pose Your Questions to the Expert
4:15-5:15 pm
Pain and Sleep (with questions)
5:15-6:00 pm
Workshop and Dinner
6:15-9:15 pm
A Show of Hands: The Art and Science of Musculoskeletal/Physical Examination
6:15-9:15 pm
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Breakfast
7:00-8:00 am
Cancer Pain Management
8:00-8:45 am
Interventional Techniques for Cancer Pain Management
8:45-9:15 am
Pain Management – A Palliative Care Perspective
9:15-10:00 am
Pose Your Questions to the Experts
10:00-10:30 am
Break
10:30-10:45 am
Update on the Pathophysiology of Low Back Pain and How to Differentiate Its Cause
10:45-11:30 am
How to Interpret Spinal Imaging
11:30 am-12:15 pm
Pose Your Questions to the Experts
12:15-12:45 pm
Lunch (on your own)
12:45-1:45 pm
Interventional Techniques for Spinal Pain
1:45-2:45 pm
How to Deliver the Best Care for Neck and Back Pain
2:45-3:15 pm
Break
3:15-3:30 pm
When and Why to Consider Surgical Management of Spinal Pain
3:30-4:30 pm
Pose Your Questions to the Experts
4:30-5:15 pm
Will Artificial Intelligence Transform Our Practice? (with questions)
5:15-6:00 pm
Break
6:00-6:15 pm
Workshop and Dinner
6:15-9:15 pm
Spine Intervention Essentials: Hands-On Familiarity With Common Procedures
6:15-9:15 pm
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Breakfast
7:00-8:00 am
Headache Diagnosis: It’s All in Your Head ..or Is It?
8:00-8:45 am
Updates in Headache Management in 2026
8:45-9:30 am
Trigeminal Neuralgia
9:30-10:15 am
Break
10:15-10:30 am
Cervicogenic Headache vs Occipital Neuralgia vs Migrainous Cervicalgia
10:30-11:15 am
The Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Based on the Pathophysiology of Pain
11:15 am-12:00 pm
Pose Your Questions to the Experts
12:00-12:45 pm
Lunch (on your own)
12:45-1:45 pm
Update on the Management of Painful and Peripheral Neuropathies
1:45-2:30 pm
Post Herpetic Neuralgia and Post Herpetic Itch
2:30-3:00 pm
Break
3:00-3:15 pm
Update on the Evaluation and Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
3:15-4:00 pm
Ketamine for Chronic Pain
4:00-4:45 pm
Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain
4:45-5:15 pm
Pose Your Questions to the Experts
5:15-6:00 pm
Break
6:00-6:15 pm
Workshop and Dinner
6:15-9:15 pm
Learn How to Perform Botulinum Toxin Injections, Occipital Nerve Blocks and Trigeminal Nerve Blocks to Treat Headache and Neuropathic Pain
6:15-9:15 pm
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Breakfast
7:00-8:00 am
Medical and Surgical Treatment of Shoulder and Knee Disorders (with questions)
8:00-8:45 am
Regenerative Medicine: PRP and Stem Cells for MSK Pain (with questions)
8:45-9:15 am
Medical Marijuana: If, When, Why, and How to Prescribe for Pain
9:15-10:00 am
Break
10:00-10:15 am
Updates on NSAIDS & Cox-2 Inhibitors
10:15-11:00 am
Pose Your Questions to the Experts
11:00-11:30 am
Opioids: Rational Prescribing and Medico-legal Considerations (with questions)
11:30 am-12:15 pm
Lunch (on Your Own)
12:15-1:15 pm
Dealing with Opioid Addiction: Toxicology Screening, Opioid Tapering and Medication Assisted Treatment
1:15-2:00 pm
Helping the Mind Heal the Body: Mind/Body Approaches to Pain Medicine
2:00-2:45 pm
The Relaxation Response: Meditation as an Approach to Pain Management
2:45-3:30 pm
Break
3:30-3:45 pm
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
3:45-4:30 pm
Dealing with Difficult Patients
4:30-5:15 pm
Pose Your Questions to the Experts
5:15-6:00 pm









