Excessive people-pleasing isn't just a social habit—it's a physiological trigger for chronic pain and symptoms. In this revealing episode, we explore how constantly putting others' needs before our own creates a state of nervous system danger that manifests as physical suffering.

We unpack why people-pleasing behavior develops (it made evolutionary sense for survival) and why it's so difficult to change, especially when relationships have adapted to expect our accommodation. Through personal examples from our own relationship, we show how these patterns create resentment, dysregulation, and ultimately physical symptoms—and how changing them can lead to healing.

The heart of our conversation centers on four powerful strategies to break free from people-pleasing: practicing exposure while sitting with the inevitable discomfort, honoring your authentic values and needs, setting appropriate boundaries, and learning free expression of emotions. Each approach requires practice and patience, but together they create a pathway toward greater authenticity and physical well-being.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is our acknowledgment that changing these patterns isn't simple—it requires understanding that as we adjust our behavior, we're also retraining others who've grown accustomed to our accommodating nature. We offer practical starting points for those who recognize themselves in these patterns, while emphasizing safety considerations for those in challenging situations.

Ready to transform your relationship with yourself and others while reducing pain? This episode provides both the understanding and practical tools to begin that journey. Subscribe now and join our community course focused on mind-body healing.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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Ever wondered why your pain/symptom persists despite countless treatments? The missing piece might be simpler than you think. Tanner and Anne reveal how our tendency to disconnect from uncomfortable bodily sensations actually perpetuates pain and symptom cycles rather than resolving them.

Through candid stories about tax scares and zip-lining disasters, they illustrate the dramatic difference between being overwhelmed by sensations versus staying present with them. This isn't just theory—brain scans actually show people with chronic pain have decreased activation in areas that sense the body, while experiencing heightened emotional responses. The result? A brain that misinterprets safe signals as dangerous ones.

The hosts break down two essential principles for healing through embodiment: gradual exposure to uncomfortable sensations paired with creating safety signals that keep you connected without becoming overwhelmed. This delicate balance allows your nervous system to recalibrate and recognize when you're truly safe.

Whether you've been struggling with persistent pain/symptoms for years or just beginning to notice troubling symptoms, this episode offers practical wisdom for creating a healthier relationship with your body's signals.

Ready to start your embodiment journey? The hosts provide free resources to begin practicing these techniques today, guiding you toward a life where sensations no longer trigger fear but offer valuable information for your healing path.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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Your nervous system might be stuck in a state of high alert, creating very real pain and symptoms even when there's no physical damage. In this second part of our exploration into neuroplastic pain, we reveal the sensitization factors that make chronic symptoms more likely to develop.

We break down how chronic nervous system dysregulation—whether you're stuck in states of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn—creates the perfect conditions for neuroplastic symptoms to emerge. High-intensity living patterns like perfectionism, people-pleasing, and excessive worry aren't just personality traits but coping mechanisms that keep your system on constant alert. Conversely, low-intensity patterns of disconnection and isolation sensitize your system through understimulation.

Research shows people with histories of childhood adversity or trauma are 2.7 times more likely to develop conditions like chronic widespread pain, fibromyalgia, and IBS. We emphasize it's not about the size of traumatic events but how your unique nervous system responded to them. Even highly sensitive individuals can experience profound effects from events others might consider minor.

We also explore two often-overlooked trauma types: sensitization trauma (when developing symptoms becomes traumatic itself) and medical trauma (from negative healthcare experiences). Both perpetuate pain cycles by creating additional layers of nervous system dysregulation.

Finally, we discuss how negative beliefs about your body being "broken" or "permanently damaged" increase pain sensitivity. Understanding these factors isn't about assigning blame but creating space for recognition and validation—a crucial first step toward healing.

You don't need to match every criterion for your symptoms to be neuroplastic, and your belief that healing is possible can grow over time. By recognizing these patterns and gathering your own evidence, you're already beginning the journey of unlearning chronic pain and reclaiming your life.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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How do you know when your chronic pain/symptoms are neuroplastic rather than structural? This question plagues countless people, who often find themselves caught between conflicting medical opinions, inconclusive test results, and treatments that provide only temporary relief.

In this enlightening first installment of a two-part series, Tanner Murtaugh and Anne Hampson break down the concrete criteria that help identify neuroplastic pain and symptoms. They share that neuroplastic pain/symptoms occur when your brain and nervous system remain stuck in a state of danger despite no structural damage in your body - and importantly, you don't need to meet all criteria to benefit from a neuroplastic approach.

The hosts walk through the first category of evidence: when pain doesn't make physical sense. From symptoms that originate during stressful times to pain that worsens with difficult emotions, from inconsistent symptom patterns to pain that spreads and migrates through the body - these are all powerful clues pointing toward neuroplastic mechanisms. They explain why triggers disconnected from the body (like weather or certain environments), delayed onset pain, and symptoms without injury are particularly telling.

Tanner and Anne weave personal experiences throughout, sharing how Tanner's own pain coincided with major life transitions, and how they've observed these patterns across hundreds of clients. They offer reassurance that while identifying neuroplastic components can feel overwhelming, approaching the assessment with curiosity rather than fear is key.

This episode provides invaluable guidance if you've tried numerous treatments without lasting improvement or received diagnoses that don't fully explain your symptoms. Listen now to gain clarity and hope as you begin unraveling whether your persistent pain/symptoms might be treatable through neuroplastic approaches.

Ready to explore how your brain might be generating your symptoms? Tune in next week when they tackle the second category: sensitization factors that make your nervous system more susceptible to neuroplastic pain.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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The powerful connection between OCD patterns and chronic pain might be the missing puzzle piece in your healing journey. Tanner and Anne dive deep into how obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors fuel neuroplastic symptoms, creating a cycle that keeps pain and symptoms alive.

You'll discover why that constant symptom checking, endless research, and anxious monitoring actually reinforce your brain's pain circuits rather than solving the problem. With vulnerability and humor, the hosts share their own experiences with OCD tendencies—from Tanner's shoulder-testing ritual to Anne's encounters with health anxiety—and how these patterns operated both before and during their pain experiences.

The solution? Cultivating indifference. But don't roll your eyes just yet! This counterintuitive approach isn't about ignoring your pain or pretending it doesn't exist. Instead, it's about starving pain of the attention that keeps it thriving. The hosts offer practical, actionable strategies for breaking free from obsessive patterns: naming your symptoms with silly names, recognizing when your brain is trying to help (but making things worse), and—perhaps most importantly—giving your brain something valuable to focus on besides your symptoms.

Whether you've been diagnosed with OCD or simply recognize some of these patterns in your relationship with chronic pain, this episode provides a compassionate roadmap for change. Progress isn't linear, and even small shifts toward indifference represent significant healing. Ready to loosen pain's grip on your attention and reclaim your life? This conversation shows you how.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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In today’s illuminating episode, we dive into the transformative concept of self-parenting—an essential practice that feeds our emotional needs while promoting healing from chronic pain and symptoms. With an engaging blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, we unravel why many struggle with self-compassion and what it looks like to be your own nurturing parent. Through our candid discussion, we explore how our childhood experiences shape our present-day responses to stress and emotions, often leading us to neglect our needs. 

This episode highlights the importance of being attuned to your body’s signals, exploring how self-awareness can drastically improve emotional regulation and ease chronic pain symptoms. We share practical advice on embracing a compassionate inner dialogue, allowing for moments of rest, and challenging the intense pressures of everyday life. 

Join us as we discuss the art of parenting ourselves, redefining what it means to give love and care to the inner child within. By reflecting on our past and actively nurturing our present selves, we can open doors to healing. Listen and discover the profound impacts of self-parenting—it’s more than just a concept; it’s a pathway to well-being. Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and leave a review!

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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Parenting and chronic pain/illness—two life challenges that seem impossible to juggle, right? Join us, Tanner Murtaugh and Anne Hampson, as we unravel the intertwined complexities of nurturing our children while healing from neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Reflect on Tanner's journey from pre-parenthood healing to the new stressors and joys children bring into the mix. For those without kids, we encourage you to consider your own unique stressors and their impact on your healing process. Through our personal stories, you’ll gain insights into managing these challenges, whether you're still on the path to recovery or have already found your way back to health.

Maintaining your well-being doesn't stop at recovery—it requires ongoing effort, especially when parenting. We share practical strategies to sustain your healing, emphasizing the importance of creating a buffer against life's endless demands. From emotional processing to regulating your nervous system, we highlight how prioritizing self-care and social connections can help you keep a balanced life amidst the chaos of work, family, and societal pressures. Rediscover your personal interests and reclaim your identity with activities like yoga, qigong, or even equine therapy, all while navigating the expectations placed on you as a parent. Let's redefine self-care and make it a priority, not a luxury.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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Imagine navigating the complexities of a challenging week marked by your child's illness and a sudden power outage. That's precisely what we faced recently, and it highlighted how stress can make life seem all the more serious. Join us as we unpack personal experiences and the often unspoken issue of medical trauma—a significant form of trauma that's largely overlooked in the healthcare system. We shine a light on its profound impact on individuals and families, including our own journey, emphasizing how trauma is not merely the event but the lingering nervous system response that can exacerbate chronic pain and illness.

This episode takes you through the emotional and physical rollercoaster experienced before, during, and after medical procedures. We delve into common reactions like fight, flight, and freeze, and how these can manifest as anxiety or dissociation, particularly for those battling chronic pain. We explore the cycle of anxiety and heightened responses that can make even routine medical appointments daunting. Discover the critical role of psychological preparation in preventing or reducing medical trauma and why recognizing symptoms is crucial for effective healing. Tune in to better understand the complex web between trauma and delayed recovery and how to navigate it for a healthier future.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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After battling a relentless bout of stomach flu that turned our household upside down, we uncovered profound insights into the mind-body connection that we're excited to share with you. Picture this: each family member succumbs to illness, fear creeps in, and suddenly, we're revisiting our mind-body techniques to navigate the chaos. In this episode of the MindBodyCouple podcast, we unravel how fear not only hijacked our minds but also manifested physical symptoms, offering a firsthand look at the phenomenon of neuroplastic nausea. 

We tackle the challenging terrain of obsessive-compulsive behaviors, particularly in the context of health anxieties, and introduce the liberating concept of radical acceptance. Our discussion highlights the often overlooked cycle of fear and compulsiveness that exacerbates distress and how self-compassion can be a guiding light. As we share our personal stories, we encourage you to embrace your circumstances without resistance. To our cherished listeners, thank you for joining us on this journey. Stay connected with our community for more resources and support on your healing path.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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What if processing shame could be the key to unlocking your healing journey from chronic pain and illness? Join us as we promise to unravel this complex emotion and its significant role in recovery. Our latest episode features an exploration of how guilt, the feeling of having done wrong, differs from shame, which attacks our very sense of self. By shining a light on these often-confused emotions and highlighting their universal nature, we aim to guide you in processing them effectively within your healing window.

Discover the profound connection between chronic pain and deeply internalized shame, and learn how behaviors such as perfectionism and people-pleasing can be rooted in the fear of inadequacy. We navigate through the ways shame impacts the nervous system, often leading to numbness and disconnection. Through practical techniques and somatic practices, we offer strategies to retrain your brain and develop a compassionate relationship with your emotions. Recognize and name your shame, and embrace self-compassion to help break the cycle of pain and illness. This episode is an invitation to transform your relationship with yourself through cognitive understanding and mindful practices.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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