The Pain PT News
Fear and it’s impact on nocebo symptoms
The power of the nocebo (opposite the placebo) is real in causing elevated physical symptoms in the body. This brain mechanism is a part of the focus point in the treatment of mind-body health disorders.
This…
The Connection of Emotions with Somatic Symptoms
Wanted to share this study that looked at the relationship between our emotions and somatic symptom disorder (SSD). A lot of what I treat are people who present with SSD- meaning there is nothing physically…
The Power of Letting Go
One of the things I see in a lot of people I work with is a difficulty in letting go. Letting go of our bodies and its tension, tightness, stiffness, guarding, and protection. Letting go of our minds and…
Nocebo, Fear, and Symptoms
I talked about nocebo in this weeks group class. A lot of the chronic pain and chronic symptoms I see are productions of the brain not the body. I found part of this article enlightening as many people…
Is Sensitization a Driver of Your Chronic Symptoms?
The short answer is YES. In this research review article titled "The Neurobiology of Central Sensitization the researchers state: "Features of central sensitization have been identified in nearly all chronic…
Proving How Information Can Affect You Negatively
Check out this randomized control study that really showed the power of information given by a doctor can have very real negative effects on the patient. This is called the nocebo effect.
In this…
Emotional Awareness & Expression- Upcoming February Group Class
Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy (EAET) has been shown in 4 different studies to be an effective treatment choice for different types of problematic physical symptoms. Dr. Howard Schubiner…
Let it Be: Mindful Acceptance down-regulates pain & negative emotion
This is the title of a study put forth by Tor Wager, who was the lead researcher in the Boulder back pain study that showed how powerful pain re-processing therapy was in reducing chronic back pain. In…
Chronic Pain is a Central Nervous System Issue
Chronic pain and other chronic symptoms are not typically the same as acute pain or symptoms. The difference being chronic stuff is more likely to be driven the brain and nervous system (CNS) vs. the local…
Group Sessions Continue in December
The weekly group somatic sessions roll into December starting this Wednesday from 8:30am-10am west coast California time. They will be recorded if you can't make them live. It's a good opportunity to learn…
Using Mindfulness to Reduce Chronic Symptoms
Mindfulness is one tool everyone with chronic pain or chronic symptoms should learn to use on a daily basis. The way you approach your symptoms can have a big impact on the severity of them. This study…
Interviewed by Jen Johnson @ Thought by Thought Healing
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Jen Johnson at Thought by Thought Healing. I dive in a little more about why and how I transitioned from being 'physical' therapist to a being a more holistic…
Anxiety From A Different Angle
Anxiety is one of the biggest emotions I see that creates physical symptoms in the body. Anxiety feels the same as fear but the major difference we always need to remember is that anxiety is not real fear.…
Interview On ‘The Steady Coach Channel’
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Dr. Yonit Arthur, Aud, known as 'The Steady Coach'. We had a great discussion about the mind-body connection, emotions, and stress and how they play into physical…
FEEL your feelings
When we are dealing with chronic symptoms or symptoms that have no physical structural origin, we are likely dealing with stress or emotional symptoms in the body. The approach to treating these symptoms…
Best Mindfulness/Emotion Regulation Strategies
This 2018 study looked at the association between mindfulness and emotion regulation and the best strategies that emerged out of these two approaches. Because a lot of chronic pain has its roots in the…
Affect Tolerance or Feeling our Feelings
Affect tolerance is a term we use to indicate how much emotion or feeling in our bodies we can sit and tolerate with without needing to shut it down. This is a crucial skill we want to learn when we have…
Feeling your Feelings Creates Healing
One of the things you know I talk about is the overlap between emotions and pain or physical symptoms. The very definition of pain has the word 'emotional' in it. All physical pain or symptoms activates…
Recap From London Chronic Pain SIRPA Conference
Had a fantastic trip over to London for the 2022 Chronic Pain SIRPA Conference. Very educational and inspiring to see so many leaders and practitioners in one place. I want to thank my mentor and head…
Mind-Body Healing & Upcoming SIRPA Conference
As many of you know, I am a physiotherapist and mind-body coach. I am also a SIRPA practitioner and trained under Georgie Oldfield, who is the founder of SIRPA (Stress Illness Recovery Practitioners' Association)…
