Pain Is An Experience

Pain is not just a physical issue.

For a lot of people, it becomes a full life issue.

In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben sits down with Dr. Nick Pippert, a physiotherapist and founder of Heartborn Health, to unpack what most people completely misunderstand about pain, especially chronic pain.

Nick explains why pain is not simply a signal from damaged tissue. It is an experience created by the brain, influenced by stress, memory, conditioning, beliefs, and the nervous system. That is why scans often do not match symptoms, and why “just push through it” can quietly make the alarm system more sensitive over time.

Ben shares real personal stories about injury recovery, identity change, and how beliefs can shape outcomes. Nick breaks down practical analogies he uses with patients, including pain as an alarm system, why long term pain drains your cognitive bandwidth, and why the current health system often fails people by treating pain like a purely mechanical problem.

They also explore the emotional side. How chronic pain can shrink your life, reduce your capacity, and create anxiety or depression. Why healing often requires more than one provider. And what an ideal modern model of care would look like if you could strip away the bureaucracy and build it properly.

If you have ever felt stuck in pain, confused by conflicting advice, or frustrated that nothing is working, this episode will help you understand what is really happening and what to do next.

About the Guest

Dr. Nick Pippert is a physiotherapist and founder of Heart Borne Health. He works primarily in outpatient care, helping people reduce pain, recover function, and navigate chronic conditions using a whole person approach that includes movement, education, nervous system awareness, and lifestyle factors.

Connect with Nick:
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook: @doctor.nickpippert
Website: nickpippert.com

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Physiotherapy and Pain Management

02:00 Understanding Pain: Misconceptions and Experiences

04:35 The Impact of Chronic Pain on Daily Life

06:57 Mental Health and Chronic Pain

09:45 Navigating the Healthcare System

11:42 The Role of Direct Access in Physiotherapy

13:41 Empathy in Physiotherapy: Personal Experiences

16:18 The Intersection of Pain and Legal Incentives

18:31 The Nervous System's Role in Pain

20:28 Emotional Stress and Physical Pain

22:44 Beliefs, Agency, and Pain Management

23:40 The Connection Between Stress and Illness

25:48 The Role of Emotional Motivation in Healing

28:27 Understanding Chronic Pain and Its Impact

32:00 Envisioning an Ideal Healthcare System

38:31 The Effects of Modern Distractions on Health

41:09 Finding Hope in Chronic Pain

43:38 The Transformative Power of Injury and Recovery