Our Network of Somatosensory Pain Rehabilitation is Truly Alive
Sarah CHAPDELAINE, SPR Network’s President (2025 – 2026)[1]
Alive because it possesses its own unique energy, drawn from all those who contribute wholeheartedly to it. Alive because it is receptive to everything surrounding it—to new knowledge, to emerging paradigms, todifferent perspectives. Alive because it is continually renewing itself, bouncing back with resilience in hard times and consistently seeking to connect with new allies who believe in the singular power of our approach.
It is important to emphasize on our approach, because a network is only as strong as the people who bring it to life by promoting, applying and contextualizing its work. Likewise, the Somatosensory Pain Rehabilitation (SPR) method would have hardly benefited from such notoriety without therapists from all over the world to implement it. Deeply rooted in the belief that all pain is dialogically a physical AND emotional experience (Boureau et al, 1984; Spicher, 2017; Spicher et al., 2025), the method is known to be particularly malleable and can be used in different contexts without losing its coherence. When used properly, the method of SPR has the ability to bring to light what is unspoken, invisible,silent. Dialogue: a silent relationship with others. (Merleau-Ponty, 1945)
Often described as an intercontinental network, it earned this designation through its ability to transcend cultural, linguistic and geopolitical contexts. Today, its merits are recognized across all continents, through several dozen centers. These figures reflect what has been documented through certifications issued and renewed in recent years, not to mention all those who, quite literally at their fingertips, engage daily with concepts brought to light through the SPR method. The Clinical Anatomy Atlas (Spicher, Quintal & Sprumont, 2026) is possibly the best example of all; regardless of the cultural context in which it is used, its data remains entirely reliable with a 2b practice-based level of evidence.
The SPR method continues to evolve continuously. It draws upon multiple fields of knowledge, connecting the Biological Human with the Cultural Human (Spicher et al, 2025). Each professional develops its own specificity, yet all converge around a common thread: biopsychosocial complexity. An effective approach is founded on the integration of multiple modes of thinking, further enriched through diverse perspectives, at the core ofinterdisciplinary practice.
Since its inception in 2001, the SPR network has evolved as a result of accumulated experience fostered through dialogue and collaboration among its members. However, although the method’s founding principles remained unchanged, its application has become increasingly refined and sensitive. It became universal without becoming uniformizing. It steadily became intergenerational[1], as it connects different temporal and human horizons. Its validity has allowed for collective recognition and cross-sectoral support over the years. Numerous activities have been, are and will continue to be promoted within the network to foster dialogue among different cohorts, as it ultimately rests on this very way of engaging with each other.
Let us take a moment to celebrate another symbol of our unity; the publication of the fourth edition of the Clinical Anatomy Atlas, born out of several months of dedication and collaboration:
This fourth French edition is a continuity of the קַבָּלָה | Qabbalah | tradition approached from an afferent perspective. The clinical anatomy presented in this work is grounded in active listening to patients’ daily complaints of unexplained pain. Since 2004, rather than being unsettled by potential discrepancies between patients’ descriptions of their symptoms and traditional neuroanatomical descriptions, we have chosen to acknowledge the validity of these symptoms and to adapt our clinical examination accordingly. Indeed, burning sensations are confined within a partial territory of tactile hypoesthesia. This represents a physiological consequence of lesions affecting a small number of Aβ axons within a branch of a cutaneous nerve. Similarly, the electric characteristic of pain propagates along a cutaneous branch—for example, along one of the 39 branches of the upper limb—and not solely along the radial, median, musculocutaneous, or ulnar nerves. Lastly, it is essential to bear in mind that during clinical anamnesis, a patient will describe this symptom using their own regional vocabulary, such as “electric shocks,” “jolts” or any other colloquial expressions. (Spicher, Quintal & Sprumont, 2026, p 92 translated by Sarah Chapdelaine)
To further enrich its scope, the SPR network established an indirect communication channel, in operation since the very beginning: the e-journal and its 87 issues. Aiming to connect diverse continents[2], disciplines and generations, it encourages the sharing of various topics and multiple viewpoints grounded in real-life experiences. Intended for both patients and professionals, it seeks to highlight compelling and emotionally impactful stories. It provides a platform in 43 languages for anyone wishing to become part of our growing community. No detail is too small not to be meaningful.
None of this unity would be possible without a lead conductor — someone who continues to commit wholeheartedly to this role and who, for nearly a quarter of a century, has been able to weave connections that are both strong and flexible. It is a true gift to be able — with remarkable sensitivity — to unite people from totally different backgrounds. Why such coherence amid so much singularity? Because strength lies in diversity.
A heartfelt special thank you to all who graciously agreed to share their personal experiences of their use of the Clinical Anatomy Atlas in this present issue. Perhaps without realizing it, your contribution has the power to inspire numerous individuals, both near and far. We are deeply grateful.
References
Boureau, F., Luu, M., Doubrere, J.F., & Gay, C. (1984). Elaboration d’un questionnaire d’auto-évaluation de la douleur par la liste des qualificatifs. Thérapie, 39, 119-129.
Merleau-Ponty, M. (1945 réédité [2010]). La prose du monde. Perception d’autrui et dialogue. In M. Merleau-Ponty (Ed.), Œuvres (pp. 1526-1539) (Coll. Quarto). Paris : Gallimard.
Spicher, C. (2017). Douleurs neuropathiques : NON, ce n’est pas dans la tête ! Tribune de Genève, 15 (une page). In 2017, this article was translated in twelve languages in Somatosens Pain Rehab 14(2); in English as: Neuropathic Pain: Myth or reality? (available 02/08/2026):https://www.somatosenspainrehab.com/articles/dores-neuropticas-mito-ou-realidade-9b4tf
Spicher, C., Murray, E., Chapdelaine, S., & de Andrade Melo Knaut, S. (2025). Méthode de rééducation sensitive de la douleur : un nouveau mode de penser la complexité bio-psycho-sociale (1e édition) – Préface : Pierre Sprumont. Montpellier, Paris : Sauramps Médical.
Spicher, C., Quintal, I., & Sprumont, P. (2026). Atlas des territoires de provenance cutanée (4e édition) – Préface : Jean-Paul Brutus. Montpellier, Paris : Sauramps Médical (24 x 16 cm) or Spicher, C.J., Packham, T.L., Buchet, N., Quintal, I., & Sprumont, P. (2020). Atlas of Cutaneous Branch Territories for the Diagnosis of Neuropathic Pain (1st edition in English based on the 3rd edition in French published by Sauramps Médical) – Foreword: B. Kramer. Berlin, London, Tokyo, Shangai, New-York City : Springer-Nature.
[1] With members born between 1936 and 2002.
[2]Somatosens Pain Rehab is sent out each season to 143 countries.
[1] MSc(A) Occupational Therapist, CSTP®, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy (SPOT), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal (Qc, Canada) e-mail: sarahc@cgocable.ca
