Mark Vorensky, PT, DPT, Ph.D.
Dr. Vorensky leads the Pain Systems Lab at the Rutgers School of Health Professions. The lab’s overarching mission is to understand, address, and promote equity across the multiple systems, including the biopsychosocial and socio-ecological dimensions, of pain experience.
Research Overview
Working Together to Advance Pain Care
A major initiative of the Pain Systems Lab involves understanding and creating targeted interventions to mitigate pain-related stigma. Central to this work is the active integration of frameworks that engage People with Lived Experience of pain, ensuring collaborative partnerships throughout the design, conduct, and dissemination of scientific research.
Currently, as an NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) K12 Scholar, Dr. Vorensky utilizes mixed-methods research designs to understand decision-making and clinical biases among physical therapists working with patients experiencing chronic widespread pain.
His research investigates how social and contextual factors predict patient-clinician interactions and influence plan-of-care decision-making. Dr. Vorensky’s work strives to improve patient-clinician interactions and advance health equity for people with persistent pain conditions.
Research Team
The people behind the science
Oluwatobi “Tobi” Odusola
Research Assistant
oao45@shp.rutgers.edu
Alexis “Lexi” Nocella
Doctor of Physical Therapy Advanced Research Track Mentee
acn73@shp.rutgers.edu
Funding & Grants
Supported Research Programs
Federal, foundation, and institutional funding advancing predictive modeling of treatment responses
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health, Administrative Home: University of Michigan, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center
$483,869
NIH HEAL National K12 Clinical Pain Career Development Award
Learn More
Brief Overview of Aims: This mixed-methods research investigates how differences in pain presentation, specifically chronic widespread versus localized pain, influence physical therapists’ clinical decision-making and their attitudes toward patients. The project evaluates whether clinicians alter their treatment plans, clinical expectations, and feelings toward the patient when widespread pain is present, utilizing qualitative interviews to examine the underlying contextual factors driving these decisions.
Total Dollar Amount: $483,869
Funding Period: 2024 – 2027
- 2024 - 2027
Publications & Impact
Selected Research Publications
2024
Effect of integrated exercise therapy and psychosocial interventions on self-efficacy in patients with chronic low back pain: A systematic review
Vorensky M, Murray T, McGovern AF, Patel YY, Rao S, Batavia M.
J Psychosom Res. 2023;165:111126. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111126
2024
Impact of Patient-Clinician Relationships on Pain and Objective Functional Measures for Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain: An Experimental Study
Vorensky M, Squires A, Jones S, Sajnani N, Castillo E, Rao S.
J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2024;35(4):1229-1257. doi:10.1353/hpu.2024.a943987
2024
Racial Differences in Movement-Related Appraisals and Pain Behaviors Among Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain
Kissi A, Vorensky M, Sturgeon JA, Vervoort T, van Alboom I, Guck A, Perera RA, Rao S, Trost Z.
J Pain. 2024;25(5):104438. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2023.11.021
2024
Relationships Between Socioecological Factors and Self-Efficacy to Participate in Physical Activity for Adults With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: An Integrative Review
Vorensky M, Orstad SL, Squires A, Parraga S, Byrne K, Merriwether EN.
Phys Ther. 2024;104(10):pzae120. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzae120
2025
'Maybe you should have a bowl of ice cream': Inequities in patient-clinician interactions among individuals with chronic low back pain
Vorensky M, Squires A, Trost Z, Sturgeon JA, Hirsh AT, Sajnani N, Jones S, Rao S.
J Pain. 2026;38:105599. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105599
Achievements
Awards & Honors
2026
Fellow, Rutgers Health Faculty Advance, Engage, and Mentor Program
Nominee, New Jersey Health Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award, Rutgers University
2025
Honorable Mention – Best Pain, Mind and Movement Publication Award, International Association for the Study of Pain
Nominee, Rutgers School of Health Professions Faculty & Staff Appreciation Initiative
2024
New Jersey Physical Therapy Licensure (License #40QA02287700)
NIH HEAL K12 Clinical Pain Career Development Award / Scholar
Specialization Academy of Content Experts, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Member, Item Writer
2022
Rusk Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Research Award, NYU Langone Health
2019
Board-Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (ABPTS) (56177)
Rusk Rehabilitation Advanced Clinical Skills Award, NYU Langone Health
2017
Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy (ABPTS) (50306)
2016
Completion of Sports Physical Therapy Residency, University of Rochester Medical Center
2015
New York Physical Therapy Licensure (License #039724)
Get Involved
Join our Research
The Pain Systems Lab welcomes opportunities for collaboration. If you are interested in partnering on future projects, joining our team, or learning more about our work, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Mark Vorensky.
