Rumination—constantly monitoring symptoms, worrying about pain, and overanalyzing every sensation—can make chronic pain worse by keeping the nervous system in a state of high alert. In this episode, therapist John Gasienica works with Leslie, a new mom struggling with chronic pelvic pain and obsessive symptom fixation. Alongside expert therapist Callie Klebanoff, they break down the Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) blueprint for stopping rumination and retraining the brain to feel safe.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why fixating on symptoms reinforces pain pathways in the brain.
• How symptom monitoring can do more harm than good.
• Practical strategies to break the cycle of overthinking pain.
• A real-time therapy session where Leslie learns to calm her nervous system.

Key Topics & Timestamps:
00:00:00 – Introduction: Why rumination fuels chronic pain
00:01:00 – The cycle of symptom fixation and its impact on daily life
00:02:00 – Meet Callie Klebanoff: Breaking the cycle of rumination
00:03:00 – The mental load of symptom monitoring and anxiety
00:04:00 – How overthinking affects the nervous system
00:06:00 – Leslie’s experience: A new mom stuck in the pain-rumination loop
00:07:00 – Constant symptom monitoring: How it worsens chronic pain
00:09:00 – Why the brain fixates on pain and discomfort
00:12:00 – Understanding intolerance of uncertainty and symptom anxiety
00:18:00 – The PRT approach: Moving from overthinking to feeling safe
00:23:00 – Emotional work: Addressing fear, grief, and self-doubt
00:31:00 – Practical strategies to stop overthinking and retrain the brain
00:39:00 – Final thoughts & next steps for listeners

Resources and Additional Links

• Learn More About Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
• Subscribe for updates, resources, and insights in the world of chronic pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.
• Patient Hub
• Practitioner Hub
• Learn about WellBody Psychotherapy and how our certified therapists and coaches can support your healing journey: Visit WellBody
• Ready to take the next step? Complete our intake form to get started.
• Email Us: [email protected]

This episode of the PRT podcast, hosted by John Gasienica, focuses on identifying and addressing hidden emotions that hinder recovery from chronic conditions. Special guest Christie Uipi, an expert clinician and founder of the Better Mind Center, joins John to discuss the importance of emotional awareness in pain reprocessing therapy. The episode features a live session with Ben, a patient who experiences a significant breakthrough in his recovery journey. Listeners will learn about the impact of stress, fear, and self-criticism on chronic pain and explore effective tools to foster emotional healing and achieve sustainable relief.

00:00 Introduction to the PRT Podcast

01:41 Meet the Expert: Christie Uipi

02:40 Christie's Journey and Innovations

03:56 Understanding Pain and Emotions

05:43 Client Session: Ben's Story

10:29 Exploring Stress and Pain Connection

17:17 Emotional Processing Techniques

25:29 Inner Nurturing

28:15 Messages of Safety

29:04 The Complexity of Safety

34:43 The Role of Self-Criticism

36:18 Somatic Tracking and Self-Compassion

43:43 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Transcript

Resources and Additional Links

• Learn More About Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
• Subscribe for updates, resources, and insights in the world of chronic pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.
• Patient Hub
• Practitioner Hub
• Learn about WellBody Psychotherapy and how our certified therapists and coaches can support your healing journey: Visit WellBody
• Ready to take the next step? Complete our intake form to get started.
• Email Us: [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and how it helps break the cycle of chronic pain. Anna, a patient who has struggled with chronic pain for years, shares her experience of healing through techniques such as somatic tracking, emotional awareness, and gratitude exercises.

John Gasienica and Daniella Deutsch explain how PRT works by rewiring the brain’s response to pain, allowing individuals to regain control of their lives. John guides Anna through gratitude practices to help her achieve the emotional awareness necessary to use PRT techniques successfully.

This episode provides valuable insights into how both patients and practitioners can use PRT to transform the experience and perception of pain, offering a hopeful and empowering approach to not only manage, but heal from chronic pain.

Get the Full Transcript

Resources and Additional Links

• Learn More About Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
• Subscribe for updates, resources, and insights in the world of chronic pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.
• Patient Hub
• Practitioner Hub
• Learn about WellBody Psychotherapy and how our certified therapists and coaches can support your healing journey: Visit WellBody
• Ready to take the next step? Complete our intake form to get started.
• Email Us: [email protected]