Back in Control with David Hanscom, MD

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Tom Sullivan about his car accident, surgeries and subsequent journey through chronic pain. After enduring 27 surgeries and trying treatments and medications that didn’t work, he discovered Dr. Hanscom’s book, Back in Control, and applied the DOC principles to cure his chronic pain. His is an incredible story of healing and resilience against very considerable odds.

Tom Sullivan is 67 years old, and semi- retired after 25 years of owning and operating a construction company serving remote areas of Alaska. He has also been a Seattle area real estate broker an an investor/developer for over 40 years. He is married with 2 sons and 5 grandchildren. He survived 20 years of chronic pain, 28 surgeries, 3 heart attacks, a stroke, and opioid addiction. Seven years ago he successfully made the transition from suffering chronic pain to the freedom of a chronic pain free existence which he attributes to applying the principles of the DOC project.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Dr. Geralyn Datz, a clinical health psychologist specializing in the treatment of pain. She shares two very moving patient stories of recovery from severe trauma and chronic pain that illustrate the importance of the patient’s outlook in the healing process, as well as the power of a patient-centered approach to treatment.

Dr Geralyn Datz is a licensed clinical health psychologist in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. She also practices telehealth in other states around the US. Dr. Datz specializes in pain psychology and educating others about health psychology. Dr. Datz is President and Clinical Director of Southern Behavioral Medicine Associates PLLC, in Hattiesburg, MS, a group mental health specialty practice. Southern Behavioral Medicine provides assessment and treatment of individuals with psychological disorders as well as medical issues, such as chronic pain, head injury, and physical work injuries. Dr. Datz is a professional speaker, writer and scientific presenter. She has authored a number of peer reviewed, scientific articles and book chapters on the topics of health psychology, pain psychology, the mind-body connection, opioid risk, treatment of injury, and return to work, and mindfulness. For more information, visit: https://www.southernbmed.com

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Dr. Geralyn Datz, a clinical health psychologist specializing in the treatment of pain. She discusses her approach to treating chronic pain which incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); functional therapies (e.g., physical therapy and yoga); psychological testing; assessment by a team of physicians; and listening to the patient and getting them to share their story.  She also talks about the placebo effect as one example of the body’s ability to heal itself.

Dr. Geralyn Datz is a licensed clinical health psychologist in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. She also practices telehealth in other states around the US. Dr. Datz specializes in pain psychology and educating others about health psychology. Dr. Datz is President and Clinical Director of Southern Behavioral Medicine Associates PLLC, in Hattiesburg, MS, a group mental health specialty practice. Southern Behavioral Medicine provides assessment and treatment of individuals with psychological disorders as well as medical issues, such as chronic pain, head injury, and physical work injuries. Dr. Datz is a professional speaker, writer and scientific presenter. She has authored a number of peer reviewed, scientific articles and book chapters on the topics of health psychology, pain psychology, the mind-body connection, opioid risk, treatment of injury, and return to work, and mindfulness. For more information, visit: https://www.southernbmed.com

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Dr. Mel Pohl, the Chief Medical Officer of Las Vegas Recovery Center. He shares his center’s approach to treatment which focuses on both pain and addiction.  He explains that typically the physical component of addiction and pain is about 20% of the problem with the other 80% being the emotional component. His details his treatment approach which incorporates a de-tox protocol, listening to the patient’s story, group sessions and expressive writing. He also talks about why many patients resist giving up their pain, and the importance of empowering patients to help them build self-efficacy and heal.

Mel Pohl, MD, DFASAM is the Chief Medical Officer of Las Vegas Recovery Center (LVRC). Dr. Pohl was a major force in developing LVRC’s Chronic Pain Recovery Program. He is certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) Dr. Pohl is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He is the author of A Day without Pain and The Pain Antidote - Stop Suffering from Chronic Pain, Avoid Addiction to Painkillers, and Reclaim Your Life. Dr. Pohl filmed a show for PBS on chronic pain which aired around the country in 2016.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Dr. Mel Pohl, the Chief Medical Officer of Las Vegas Recovery Center, about the nature of addiction and its relationship to chronic pain. He explains that addiction is a disorder of the brain in terms of its response to a particular substance.  He discusses the symptomology of addiction, and the pro-inflammatory nature of opioids which can actually result in patients who use them for pain experiencing more pain over time. He also talks about the importance of treating the emotional side of pain.

Mel Pohl, MD, DFASAM is the Chief Medical Officer of Las Vegas Recovery Center (LVRC). Dr. Pohl was a major force in developing LVRC’s Chronic Pain Recovery Program. He is certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) Dr. Pohl is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He is the author of A Day without Pain and The Pain Antidote - Stop Suffering from Chronic Pain, Avoid Addiction to Painkillers, and Reclaim Your Life. Dr. Pohl filmed a show for PBS on chronic pain which aired around the country in 2016.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Becky Curtis, founder and CEO of the pain management coaching company, Take Courage Coaching. She talks about the techniques her coaches use in working with patients to help them heal, and the importance of building trust and motivation in helping them make forward progress. She emphasizes the key lesson she learned in dealing with her own chronic pain - what you focus on, you empower.

After a car accident left her with severe chronic pain, Becky Curtis went through a pain clinic where she learned pain was an experience she could improve.  During her treatment, she recognized a piece that was missing for most people in pain:  ongoing support and learning how to personally manage pain.  She developed the program—Take Courage Coaching™ to help people in pain achieve the skills she used.  Today, her company, through its network of pain management coaches, partners with clients in 46 states to achieve their chosen goals. Her practitioners use a bio-psycho-social perspective, viewing each person as intrinsically whole and the ultimate expert in the healing journey.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Becky Curtis, CEO and founder of the pain management coaching company, Take Courage Coaching. She recounts the car accident that left her with a severe spinal cord injury and

intense chronic pain. She discusses how she discovered approaches to personally manage her pain while going through a functional restoration program. And it was these techniques that led her to start her company to help other chronic pain sufferers control their pain and heal.

After a car accident left her with severe chronic pain, Becky Curtis went through a pain clinic where she learned pain was an experience she could improve.  During her treatment, she recognized a piece that was missing for most people in pain:  ongoing support and learning how to personally manage pain.  She developed the program—Take Courage Coaching™ to help people in pain achieve the skills she used.  Today, her company, through its network of pain management coaches, partners with clients in 46 states to achieve their chosen goals. Her practitioners use a bio-psycho-social perspective, viewing each person as intrinsically whole and the ultimate expert in the healing journey.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with professor of psychiatry and neuroscientist Stephen Porges about the polyvagal theory. Dr. Porges explains the transformative power of feeling safe to keep us healthy. Using clinical examples from the treatment of pain and trauma, he illustrates how the nervous system responds to cues of safety or threat in the environment to alter the body’s physiology and either promote or inhibit healing.  He discusses how these responses act as a kind of co-regulation in our social interactions with others as a critical component of building trust.

Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland.  He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award. He is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems related to traumatic experiences.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with professor of psychiatry and neuroscientist Stephen Porges about the polyvagal theory. He outlines the important role played by the sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous system in governing our response to threats, whether it is from disease, chronic pain or other environmental threats. He also discusses the implications for treatment and why it is important to calm down the nervous system to promote healing.

Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland.  He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award. He is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems related to traumatic experiences.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with anesthesiologist and pain specialist Dr. James Taylor. Dr. Taylor shares the work his clinics are doing to test the anti-inflammatory and pain management properties of CBD formulations. He discusses the clinical results he has achieved in helping patients reduce or eliminate their opioid use, lower their blood pressure and eliminate chronic pain. He shares his hope that one day, people will have access to specially tailored CBD formulations that will act as supplements to keep them healthy.

Dr. James Taylor is a board certified anesthesiologist with a focus on pain management. He runs 7 clinics that see over 4,000 patients per month. Over the last several years, Dr. Taylor and his team have been collecting information on patients that has led to many interesting discoveries, particularly involving CBD and the pain management patient. Dr. Taylor's journey pursuing an understanding of Cannabinoid Medicine has led him to develop laboratory services for hemp farmers as well as testing on hemp related products. Dr. Taylor and his team are pursuing single molecule development using cannabinoids as the molecular backbone.