Martjie Venter
Martjie is a PhD candidate in the Centre for Pain IMPACT at Neuroscience Research Australia and the University of New South Wales. Her research focuses on the translation of evidence-based treatments for chronic low back pain, from research to clinical practice.
Reflections from APS 2025 in Melbourne
I’m very grateful to the Australian Pain Society (APS) for awarding me a Travel Grant to attend this year’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Melbourne. The grant covered the cost of getting to and from the conference which made the trip much more accessible for me as a PhD student. Without that support, attending would have been a lot more difficult so I truly appreciate the opportunity.
At the conference, I presented some of my work using mediation analysis to help optimise the RESOLVE intervention for chronic low back pain in real-world clinical settings. RESOLVE provided participants with non-drug strategies, such as mental movement, physical movement and sensory training. My aim is to better understand how the intervention works so that it is easier to implement. The presentation seemed to be well received, it was great to have conversations with researchers and clinicians who were interested in how this kind of analysis can inform practical decisions. It was encouraging to see others engaged and thinking about how they can apply this method in their own contexts.
This was my second APS meeting, I also attended the 2023 conference in Canberra. Both have been excellent in their own ways. What really stood out to me about the ASM, especially when compared to other conferences I have been to, is the strong sense of community. There is something special about the way clinicians, researchers and industry partners come together with a shared focus on improving outcomes for people living with pain. It doesn’t feel siloed, people are approachable, conversations feel genuine and there is a real spirit of collaboration. That atmosphere makes it so much easier to connect and share ideas. The gala dinner was also a highlight; it was a fun and relaxed way to catch up with colleagues and revealed some impressive dance moves from the pain community!
One of the highlights for me this year was meeting some of my collaborators from the University of South Australia in person. Remote work is so useful but being able to chat face-to-face was much better. We had some great conversations about future directions, so I am excited to keep building on that collaboration.
There were plenty of standout sessions, but one that really stood out to me was the workshop on Gabapentinoids. It covered some of the growing concerns around the use of these medications for low back pain, including issues of effectiveness and safety. I thought the presenters delivered the workshop well and prompted some important conversations that are perhaps much overdue.
Looking ahead, I’m already excited to attend the next APS ASM in Adelaide in 2026. What I am looking forward to most is reconnecting with the people I met this year and hearing how their research has progressed. As I mentioned earlier, there is such a great sense of community at the APS conferences that I have attended, and I am excited to keep being a part of that. It is so motivating being around people who have similar goals to improve the lives of people in pain through their research.
Overall, I left this year’s conference feeling energised, with a growing list of ideas and new connections across Australia. Thanks to the APS for making this possible. See you next year!
Declaration: Martjie is supported by a University Postgraduate Award from the University of New South Wales and a PhD Top-Up Scholarship from Neuroscience Research Australia.
Australian Pain Society 