What's in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness

Understanding the Most Common Causes of Low Back Pain

In this episode of What’s in Your Head, Dr. Pete Schultz breaks down the different types of low back pain commonly seen in physical therapy — and why low back pain is often much more complex than people think. Pete discusses: * Lumbar disc herniations * Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy * Spinal stenosis * Lumbar strains and sprains * Segmental stiffness and hypomobility * SI joint and lumbar instability * Pars fractures in adolescent athletes * Chronic and neuroplastic low back pain The episode also explores why imaging findings do not always match symptoms, why two people with the same MRI can have completely different experiences, and how physical therapists evaluate the multiple systems that can contribute to pain. If you are looking for a physical therapy evaluation for pain, dizziness, headaches, concussion, or vestibular issues, visit Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy: https://www.dynamicsportspt.com [https://www.dynamicsportspt.com] For more education and tools related to pain and dizziness: https://www.painanddizzy.com [https://www.painanddizzy.com] Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding medical concerns or symptoms.

Cervicogenic Headache and Cervicagenic Dizziness: Can my neck be causing headache and dizziness?

Can your neck really cause dizziness or headaches? In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz, physical therapist, breaks down the topic of cervicogenic dizziness and cervicogenic headache—two conditions that can be confusing, frustrating, and often overlap with vestibular, migraine, and stress-related symptoms. You’ll learn how the neck, nervous system, balance system, and autonomic nervous system can all interact to create symptoms like dizziness, head pressure, neck pain, tension, and headaches. Pete also explains how these conditions are evaluated in physical therapy and the evidence-informed treatment strategies he uses in the clinic, including manual therapy, exercise, vestibular rehab, cervical proprioception training, biofeedback, self-regulation, and pain reprocessing strategies. If you’ve ever felt dizzy with neck tension, headaches after stress, or symptoms triggered by posture and movement, this episode can help you better understand what may be going on—and what can help. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for individualized evaluation or treatment. If you are experiencing dizziness, headaches, neck pain, or other concerning symptoms, consult with a licensed healthcare provider. Resources: Schedule a Physical Therapy or Vestibular Evaluation: Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy – www.DynamicSportsPT.com [http://www.DynamicSportsPT.com] Learn more about pain, dizziness, headaches, and recovery tools: Pain and Dizzy – www.PainandDizzy.com [http://www.PainandDizzy.com]

Special Episode: Guided Affirmations Practice for Pain and Dizziness

In this special episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness, Pete Schultz, DPT, OCS, walks you through a simple, practical tool you can use when pain or dizziness starts to increase. This guided affirmation exercise is designed to help regulate your nervous system by providing consistent signals of safety to the brain. When symptoms ramp up, the nervous system can become more protective and sensitive—this exercise combines paced breathing with targeted affirmations to help reduce reactivity and turn the volume down on symptoms over time. Pete also shares how he personally uses this tool at the early stages of a pain flare-up to help manage intensity and feel more in control. This is a short, 5-minute guided practice that you can return to anytime you notice symptoms increasing or as part of a regular routine to support nervous system regulation. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Please do not perform this exercise while driving or in any situation that requires your full attention. Learn more / Connect: To learn more about pain and dizziness  www.PainandDizzy.com [http://www.PainandDizzy.com] To schedule a PT or Vestibular Evaluation  www.DynamicSportsPT.com [http://www.DynamicSportsPT.com]

What is Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness PPPD and what to do to resolve it.

Episode 10: What is Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) and How to Resolve It Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is a common but often misunderstood condition that can develop after a vestibular event like BPPV, vestibular neuritis, concussion, or vestibular migraine. Even after the initial issue improves, people are often left with ongoing dizziness, imbalance, and sensitivity to motion or busy environments—despite normal testing. In this episode, we break down what PPPD actually is, why it happens, and how the brain and nervous system can get stuck in a maladaptive pattern. We also walk through practical treatment strategies, including vestibular rehabilitation, nervous system regulation, graded exposure, and the role of neck mobility in recovery. If you’ve been told everything is “normal” but you still feel off, this episode will help explain why—and more importantly, what you can do about it.  Learn more and access tools: 👉 https://www.painanddizzy.com Interested in a physical therapy evaluation: 👉 https://www.dynamicsportspt.com [https://www.dynamicsportspt.com] Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult with a qualified healthcare professional for an appropriate evaluation and treatment plan.

Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Persistent Pain and Dizziness

Episode 9: Pain Reprocessing Therapy Chronic pain and persistent symptoms can be incredibly frustrating—especially when medical testing doesn’t clearly explain what you’re feeling. In this episode of What’s in Your Head, Dr. Pete Schultz discusses Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and a core technique called somatic tracking, a tool designed to help retrain the nervous system when pain persists beyond normal tissue healing. Pain Reprocessing Therapy is a neuroscience-based approach that helps people understand how the brain and nervous system contribute to persistent pain and symptoms. While injuries and tissue damage can trigger pain initially, the nervous system can sometimes remain in a heightened protective state even after the body has healed. In this episode, Pete explains: * The difference between structural pain and neuroplastic (persistent) pain * Why pain can continue even when imaging or exams don’t show major structural damage * How the nervous system functions as a protective alarm system * Research supporting PRT, including the Boulder Back Pain Study * How somatic tracking helps reduce threat signals in the nervous system * Who may benefit most from these approaches Pain Reprocessing Therapy does not suggest pain is imaginary. Instead, it treats pain as a real protective signal from the nervous system that, in some cases, can be retrained through education, awareness, and targeted tools. If you’re dealing with chronic pain, persistent dizziness, post-concussion symptoms, migraine, or other ongoing conditions, understanding how the nervous system influences symptoms may provide an additional pathway toward recovery. Learn more about physical therapy assessment and care at:  https://dynamicsportspt.com [https://dynamicsportspt.com] Explore tools and resources—including a guided Somatic Tracking exercise—at: https://painanddizzy.com [https://painanddizzy.com] If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a 5-star review so more people can discover the podcast. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific medical condition or concerns.