Today, we’re joined by doctor, leader, researcher, and author of Unlearn Your Pain: The Science of Recovering from Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression. In this conversation, you'll learn more about Dr. Howard Schubiner, his career, his process, and the fears he experienced as he published his book. It’s truly an honor to have him as a guest. Howard’s humor, authenticity, generosity, and compassion all shine through brilliantly in this little talk. Come hang out with us.

In this Episode:

🔹 We discuss Dr. Schubiner’s pre-mindbody career.

🔹 Then he started doing some work in this field, “and the results were astounding.”

🔹 “Life presents lots of opportunities. And the question is: are you interested, able, and ready to walk through those doors?”

🔹 “Of course I was skeptical.” “If you’re not skeptical, you’re not a scientist.”

🔹 Dr. Schubiner tells us about his training with Dr. John Sarno.

🔹 He describes the early and burgeoning research on mindbody modalities, much of which he pioneered.

🔹 We explore why so many physicians misunderstand this work.

🔹 We wade into the waters of the “controversial” and highly emotionally-laden diagnoses like long covid.

🔹 “It’s not fun being accused of gaslighting someone.”

🔹 A friend asked Howard, “How are you feeling about your new book?” And Howard said, in honesty, “I’m really excited, but I’m also scared.”

🔹 “I’m scared about what people will think and ‘the haters’ and the backlash. Because I really put it all out there.”

🔹 Howard says, of the controversy, “I love the people who hate me. They care passionately. They want a better world. They want a world where suffering is improved.”

🔹 He also describes various parts of his new book, which, if you haven’t read it, will be exciting to learn about.

Howard tells us: “Life is for learning,” we talk about Broadway musicals, we talk about “what if I die right before the book comes out?”, we go a little bit “off the rails”... This is a fun one. You’ll definitely want to join us. We’d love to have you.

–

Find Howard:

Follow Howard on Instagram: @hschubiner

Read the Book: Unlearn Your Pain: The Science of Recovering from Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression

Listen to the Podcast: The Science Behind the Symptoms with Howard Schubiner, MD and Rebecca Kennedy, MD

Howard’s Website: unlearnyourpain.com

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Oprah Daily: The 5 Best Books for Chronic Pain, According to Experts

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Today: Listener Question and Answer!

Question:

“I’m 70 years old and have transcended many chronic pain symptoms (backache, migraines, urgency to pee, depression, and on and on). What is tripping me up today is the stiffness in my knees. I have osteoarthritis, but there is no pain. The tightness makes it hard to move around. Can someone my age overcome that? Can arthritis be a normal abnormality? I think because we learn arthritis is inevitable at my age is what’s tripping me up. I would love to hear an episode where you interview someone older who has overcome knee pain. I want my life back! Thanks.”

Answer:

🔹 A Definition of Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

🔹 Most people with TMS think there’s something specifically and uniquely wrong with them. Having this thought does not mean it’s true.

🔹 Arthritis and Osteoarthritis do not need to cause chronic pain or chronic symptoms.

🔹 A reference to a 2019 study that found a high occurrence of arthritis in pain-free areas of the body.

🔹 A little bit about my own experience with knee stiffness, knee pain, and knee braces.

🔹 A suggestion to see a TMS/Neuroplastic-Informed medical provider for additional personalized diagnostic clarity:

🔹 Daniel Cogan, NP | New York, NY

🔹 Becca Kennedy, MD | Portland, OR

🔹 John Stracks, MD | Chicago, IL

If you’re asking “Is my symptom TMS?”, then this is a great episode for you.

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Before people discover TMS work, most have had a medical provider tell them some version of “we’ll just have to manage the pain.”

Managing is not the same as healing.

Now – doing mindbody work – you're in the middle of a complete mindset shift. And now…healing is possible. And now, “managing” symptoms means something totally different. You’re in a much better place now. Let’s explore it.

In this Episode:

🔹 How to think psychologically and emotionally. How to stop thinking physically.

🔹 An examination of what “managing” symptoms even means.

🔹 An invitation to “manage” your symptoms through a psychological and emotional lens, rather than through the physical lens.

This is a great talk, with some hopeful, uplifting success stories. Join us for some inspiration and for some good information.

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Today, we’re going to work on something very important. It’s at the core of healing chronic pain and symptoms. We’re teaching your body safety when your symptoms are present.

We’re allowing everything you feel and experience. We’re resisting nothing.

We’re going to practice this now. And you can come back to this a thousand times – to this recording or to this practice in your own mind and your own body.

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Does the subconscious mind exist? What is it? Where is it? And how do you access it? These are the questions we address today with hypnotherapist and psychedelic coach Anna Krishtal.

In this Episode:

🔹 Anna tells us, “if people want to transform their lives, what they actually want to transform is the subconscious mind.”

🔹 The reason the subconscious mind is elusive and mysterious is because “subconscious” literally means underneath consciousness.

🔹 Anna details many of the functions of the subconscious mind.

🔹 The subconscious mind governs the autonomic nervous system (which regulates involuntary bodily functions like breath, heart rate, and organ function), but the subconscious mind also stores large parts of our belief systems and patterns as well.

🔹 Many of the beliefs and patterns that uphold chronic pain are stored in the subconscious mind.

🔹 Neuroplasticity is real. We’re able to change the subconscious mind at any point in our lives.

🔹 We talk about the experience of “my mind is against me” or “my body is against me.”

🔹 That is a sign that your subconscious programming for safety is in opposition to your conscious desires. And that is re-programmable.

🔹 Your body has been on your side all along. It was trying to keep you safe using old information and old conditioning. And you just didn’t know what it was communicating to you.

🔹 Anna also talks to us about healing the subconscious mind through psychedelics, particularly ketamine.

🔹 We acknowledge: not everyone with chronic symptoms needs psychedelics. However, everyone with chronic symptoms does need to find a way to access subconscious healing. This can be done through journaling, somatic psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, attuning to your internal truth, seeking answers inside rather than out… We talk about it all today.

🔹 Keep seeking the answer that is true for you.

Last season, I recorded a deep-dive episode on ketamine treatment for chronic pain, which heavily featured wisdom from Anna Krishtal (S5 E10 | Ketamine and Chronic Pain Treatment). Today, Anna’s here to talk with us in real time.

This is a great conversation – with a wise healer. You’re more than welcome to join in.

–

Find Anna Krishtal:

Anna’s Podcast: Ketamine Connections Podcast

Anna’s Website: www.annakrishtal.com

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Switch: How To Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

We live in a politically precarious world. You’re feeling it. And your body is feeling it. There’s a lot of silence around politics, but it’s always right here.

In this Episode:

🔹 We’re making time and space to process your political anxiety.

🔹 In the world today, we’re experiencing (and we’re participating in) many, many conditions of interpersonal trauma.

🔹 In this episode, we examine the dynamics and roles of interpersonal trauma: Victim, Bystander, Rescuer, and Perpetrator.

🔹 We also discuss various emotionally-laden political conditions in the world today.

We’re making space for you to think, to feel, and to process.

If that sounds like something you need – join us. I’d love to have you.

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Many of you know Dr. Elaine Aron’s research on HSPs. Many of you identify as HSPs. There’s a huge overlap between the highly sensitive trait and the propensity to develop chronic pain and symptoms.

If you haven’t heard about the highly sensitive person, however, prepare to have your mind potentially blown by psychotherapist Kayla Jacobsen, LICSW.

In this Episode:

🔹 Kayla Jacobsen’s a therapist who specializes in working with highly sensitive people. She’s also, like me, a highly sensitive person herself.

🔹 Kayla has her own journey with chronic neuroplastic symptom recovery, so she understands the intersection between high sensitivity and neuroplastic symptoms.

🔹 Today, Kayla summarizes the basic characteristics of the highly sensitive person.

🔹 Kayla outlines the 4 subtypes of highly sensitive people (the Deep Thinker, the Overstimulated Super-Sensor, the Emotionally-Responsive/Empathetic Super-Feeler, and those who are Sensitive to Subtle Stimuli).

🔹 Kayla reminds us: sensitivity does not “need” to be “overcome.” It's not a disorder. It's not a diagnosis. She validates us and reminds us that sensitivity is a strength.

Join us today. So many of us here are HSPs, so this is a great, highly relevant conversation.

–

Find Kayla:

Willow Creek Counseling MN: www.willowcreekcounselingmn.com/kaylajacobsen

Kayla’s Email: [email protected]

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Elaine Aron and the Highly Sensitive Person: hsperson.com

Self-Test: The Highly Sensitive Person Scale

The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Dr. Elaine Aron

Quiet by Susan Cain

Trust Yourself by Melody Wilding

The Mind-Body Healing Method with Grace Secker

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

This is a personal one, and a vulnerable one. It’s a messy-middle story.

There’s no pressure to be 100% healed. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out. This is just an invitation to hang out in the messy middle. And today, we’re talking about…my left hip.

In this Episode:

🔹 Not every part of every story is the “happily ever after.”

🔹 Many parts are the messy middle.

🔹 Sometimes I feel like I’m “recovered.” Sometimes I feel like I’m back at square one. (Even though I know better).

🔹 Join me today as I tell the story of my chronic hip pain: how it came on, how many years it's been, and what I’ve been doing to heal.

🔹 We discuss: emotional work, psychological work, questioning my triggers, graded exposure, fear, frustration, success, continued symptoms, TMS therapy, the power of allowing, continued epiphanies, self-care, self-attunement, …and so much more.

Join in. I’d love to have you along for the ride.

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Therapist: Liz Wallenstein, LMHC

S2 E1 | The “Messy Middle” & TMS Recovery with Michelle

S4 E12 | My Recovery from Chronic IBS

How to Journalspeak with Nicole Sachs

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

This is the story of a powerful metamorphosis. Cynthia Austin said, “In 2014, I saw a picture of myself, and I didn’t even recognize the woman in the picture.” She calls it her “pain brain coma pic.” And now, you can see the picture (the before and the after) for yourself.

Cynthia Austin is a national board-certified health and wellness coach. She helps people heal from chronic symptoms using the power of neuroplasticity, just like she did herself. She has a truly remarkable story to tell.

In this Episode:

🔹 Cynthia’s dramatic recovery from migraines, vertigo, neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, hip pain, leg paralysis, muscle tension, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic numbness/tingling of the extremities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, insomnia, brain fog, stomach issues, chemical sensitivities, unexplained rashes, high blood pressure, grinding teeth, walking with a cane, regular panic attacks, severe anxiety, and depression.

🔹 How traditional pain management failed Cynthia – and how it fails all of us with chronic neuroplastic conditions.

🔹 The connection between emotional trauma and physical symptoms.

🔹 The importance of authenticity and agency in chronic symptom recovery.

🔹 The tie, for Cynthia, between weight loss and healing.

🔹 “This work helped me lose 100 lbs.” Cynthia recounts the details.

🔹 The hunger is always real, but you're not always hungry for food.

🔹 “My hunger was to be treated kindly. My hunger was to be seen and valued and cared for.”

🔹 “My therapist gave me the right to breathe, the right to exist, the right to take up room on this earth.”

Cynthia says she can distill her recovery down to “speaking my truth.”

This is a very powerful discussion. Join us. You’ll learn a lot, you’ll feel a lot, and you’ll understand mindbody healing on a deeper level.

–

Find Cynthia:

Cynthia’s Website: www.MyPainCoachLLC.com

Cynthia’s Free Educational PDF “Is Your Pain Experience Being Shaped By Your Nervous System?”: www.mypaincoachllc.com/podcast-freebie

Cynthia’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiaaustin-mypaincoach

Cynthia’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyPainCoach/

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Using psychological and emotional modalities to heal chronic pain is not a widely-understood option. Many fear it’s not “backed by science.” Today, however, we profile and analyze 12 studies that show the scientific backing for various aspects of this paradigm for healing.

The studies in this list were compiled by my friend and colleague, neuroplastic physical therapist Nida Tansinsin, MPT. So much gratitude for her! Find all her information below.

In this Episode:

🔹 12 Studies that reveal the science behind different aspects of neuroplastic healing.

🔹 (Although, truly, maybe I just did 11? I sort of lost count 😋 Hashtag embracing imperfection).

🔹 A deep-dive into Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET).

🔹 We discuss the limitations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and why CBT’s becoming an antiquated choice for chronic pain treatment.

🔹 We get into the evidence that many, many physical findings (in the back, the hips, the knees, and the shoulders) are normal abnormalities and do not need to cause pain.

🔹 I also lowkey get kinda angry about the old, debunked, non-scientific methods used to treat pain in mainstream medicine.

This is a long one, but a fun one, and an informative one. Join us.

–

Find Nida Tansinsin, MPT:

Nida’s Website: nidaconnect.com

Nida’s Email: [email protected]

Nida’s Instagram: @NidaConnect

S5 E4 | A Physical Therapist Who Can Help You, with Nida Tansinsin, MPT

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Studies Profiled In Today’s Episode:

Ashar et al Boulder Back Pain Study

Lumley and Schubiner EAET Study

Brinjikji et al Imaging in Asymptomatic Populations Study

Blankstein et al MRI Hip Findings in Asymptomatic Individuals Study

Zhong et al Reabsorbtion of Lumbar Disc Herniations Study

Barreto et al Bilateral MRI Findings in Individuals with Unilateral Shoulder Pain Study

Bergman et al Asymptomatic Tibial Stress Reactions Study

Horga et al Prevelence of Abnormal Findings in 230 Knees of Asymptomatic Adults

Webster et al Iatrogenic Consequences of Early MRI in Work-Related Low Back Pain Study

Zamorano et al Pain Sensitivity in Healthy Musicians Study

Crum et al Exercise and the Placebo Effect Study

–

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Info on Ehlers-Danlos and POTS: Gigi Cockell and Dan Buglio, Grace Secker and Sean Hershey

Grace Secker’s Mindbody Healing Method: https://healwithgrace.co/programs/mind-body-healing-method/

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.