Physio Joshua Pate new way to explain pain in TED-Ed
PADSTOW local Joshua Pate’s remarkable idea of using phantom limbs to help people understand more about their pain and hopefully live a better life, is now a social media sensation.
The Express
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Express. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PADSTOW local Joshua Pate’s remarkable idea of using phantom limbs to help people understand more about their pain and in turn have a better life, is now a social media sensation.
Mr Pate himself is stunned his TED-Ed video on his work had 60,000 downloads in just one day — and more than 200,000 in a week.
It has also prompted more than 750 comments, something which Mr Pate is truly excited about.
“The vast majority of people who have lost a limb can still feel it” starts the animated video which is available on YouTube.
His video, The fascinating science behind phantom limbs, has made the 27-year-old a minor celebrity at both Westmead Hospital — where he works as a senior physiotherapist — and Macquarie University, where he is finishing his PhD.
The video is available free on YouTube and the creator will not get a cent. Not that he is upset about it.
Because even though TED-Ed now owns the royalty to the video, Mr Pate, who works in the chronic pain clinic, says he is more interested in helping patients than “having a business’.
“I chose physiotherapy as a career to help people to confidently achieve their goals, things like walking, getting back to work, and playing sport,” Mr Pate said.
“I made the video because I was always speaking to patients about their symptoms and pain and didn’t want to always keep repeating myself.
“The video highlights how pain works using phantom limbs as an example and is a helpful resource to patients and health care practitioners.
“I have had a great response to the video and other clinics too said they plan to use it.
“I wrote the script in December last year and the animation team from TED-Ed took over after that and have done a terrific job.”
Mr Pate has one year left in his PhD investigating a child’s concept of pain and says his work in the chronic pain clinic at the hospital was the inspiration behind his video which could be used in other health centres to help patients and staff.
His stunning video is something which he and the TED-Ed team worked for nearly a year.
The father of one said he was astonished at the speed in which useful items like this could be seen and appreciated.
“I’ve been blown away at how quickly information can be disseminated via YouTube because earlier I published an article (A Child’s Concept of Pain: An International Survey of Paediatric Pain Experts) and it was read by (only) 2000 people,” Mr Pate said.
“It is amazing how fast something like this can go on social media and is something that reseachers in the future could use to spread helpful practices.”
The high achiever is involved in running and football and chills out by playing the guitar.
See the video:https://bit.ly/2C1LIJV.