Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain

S5 E7 | Neuroscience is Cracking the Mystery of Chronic Pain, with Nathaniel Frank, PhD

Nathaniel Frank, PhD is an author, historian, and science writer. His book, Healing What Hurts: How Neuroscience is Cracking the Mystery of Chronic Pain, is forthcoming from the Mayo Clinic Press. Nathaniel’s also my friend, and we legit hang out, so it’s a pleasure to host him on the podcast today. In this Episode: 🔹 We discuss neuroplastic healing from the perspective of a science writer. 🔹 Nathaniel was an original Dr. Sarno patient 20 years ago. He tells us about his personal journey with back pain, wrist pain, hand pain, and ibs. 🔹 Nathaniel’s written about the body of evidence and science that supports neuroplastic healing. 🔹 He aggregates scholarly research for the general public (both about lgbtqia+ advocacy and about healing chronic pain). You can read his articles here: www.nathanielfrank.com/articles [https://www.nathanielfrank.com/articles] 🔹 We discuss the parallels between the lgbtqia+ rights movement, to which Nathaniel contributed, and the movement to bring neuroplastic recovery therapies into mainstream medicine. 🔹 Nathaniel also leaves us with 3 Es of healing (Education, Emotional Expression, and Engagement – or Reengagement – with Life), and 3 Ss (Softening, Slowness, and Self-Compassion). This is a great conversation – with a real friend. You’re more than welcome to join us. – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/] Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/join] Click Here to Ask a Question on the Podcast [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/podcast-question] Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain [https://www.instagram.com/mindbodymedicineforchronicpain/] – Find Nathaniel: Nathaniel’s Website: www.nathanielfrank.com [http://www.nathanielfrank.com] – …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.

Bonus | “Don’t Buy This Sh*t”

Today, we’re addressing the lack of awareness about chronic pain in the media. We’re looking at a recent Guardian article – and you can follow along: Seven Essential Gadgets to Live with when you have Back Pain, From Grabbers to Lap Desks by Richard Baguley [https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/may/17/best-back-pain-products] But, my message to you: don’t buy this sh*t. Learn how to use graded exposure and other mindbody modalities instead. You can heal your pain. – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/] Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/join] Click Here to Ask a Question on the Podcast [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/podcast-question] Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain [https://www.instagram.com/mindbodymedicineforchronicpain/] – …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.

S5 E6 | Stop Saying “It Wasn’t That Bad”: Reconceptualizing Your Trauma

You've said it, you've thought it: "it wasn't that bad." Today, we’re helping you change the lens through which you view your traumas. In this Episode: 🔹 We discuss the difference between enfranchised trauma and disenfranchised trauma. 🔹 Disenfranchised trauma: when the person who experiences a trauma does not have their experience acknowledged as a serious, legitimate problem – and the person is not seen as a serious, legitimate “victim” or “survivor” – and the person is not seen as worthy of attention, help, or resources. 🔹 Many of us who struggle with chronic pain and symptoms have experienced some version of disenfranchised trauma. And what do you do about that? Join us today to go deeper – and to give yourself some real validation, after everything you’ve been through. – Recommended Listening: Tarana Burke on Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tarana-burke/id1791132317?i=1000698664839] – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/] Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/join] Click Here to Ask a Question on the Podcast [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/podcast-question] Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain [https://www.instagram.com/mindbodymedicineforchronicpain/] – Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dr. Judith Herman | Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence – From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror [https://bookshop.org/p/books/trauma-and-recovery-the-aftermath-of-violence-from-domestic-abuse-to-political-terror-judith-lewis-herman-md/487522bb585aa794] Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk | The Body Keeps the Score [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-body-keeps-the-score-brain-mind-and-body-in-the-healing-of-trauma-bessel-van-der-kolk-m-d/9e63236863805513] Dr. David Clarke | They Can’t Find Anything Wrong [https://bookshop.org/p/books/they-can-t-find-anything-wrong-7-keys-to-understanding-treating-and-healing-stress-illness-david-d-clarke/2071c864736ed395] How To Journalspeak, with Nicole Sachs [https://www.yourbreakawake.com/journalspeak] – …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.

S5 E5 | Dr. Dan Ratner on the ATNS, and Exploring the Leading Edges in our Field

Pain psychologist Dr. Dan Ratner has been named the new ATNS Board Chair. A huge congratulations to Dan. Today, he returns to the show to discuss a whole range of topics – from the direction of the ATNS, spreading the word about neuroplastic symptom recovery therapies, “gray area” neuroplastic symptoms at the edge of our understanding, autoimmune diseases, and more. In this Episode: 🔹 A brief outline of Dan Ratner’s 3-column-model for healing: Emotions, Doubt, and Power. 🔹 An overview of the Association for the Treatment of Neutroplastic Symptoms (ATNS), an advocacy group that disseminates information about neuroplastic conditions to build awareness among patients and health care providers. 🔹 Getting past the tipping point so that “your average person will just know…this is neuroplastic.” 🔹 Sticking to the science while answering the question, “What’s gonna be the messaging to the average person?” 🔹 “Gray area” neuroplastic symptoms and expanding the edges of our understanding to help more people heal. This is a good talk, with a true leader in the field. Join us. – Find Dan: Dan’s Website: www.crushingdoubt.com [https://www.crushingdoubt.com/] The Book: Crushing Doubt: An Advanced System for Mind-Body Pain and Symptom Relief [https://www.amazon.com/Crushing-Doubt-Advanced-Mind-Body-Symptom/dp/B0F18YG3CH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PMHVIORQ5R6L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.te1JKHtzPNejT63HTuXrNdZm22mitX4K55NAaFdUW0aylbGCr4kdG2HWy4KOGkpm74t4Qvaw7EuuJEwNLkLpHSTs4i3bNiSbOBTG_K6z32n4vGdGtZSDLCIWV5TyWywIiB33GA7qUG0a0NwMy00QTYUVUilUwB61-aZE1VDh0Ho.YUlWLEzNxnyXahK-iPXApFDjt8gNHxzW_oYt6ewkaS0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Dan+Ratner&qid=1768426914&sprefix=dan+ratner%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1] – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/] Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/join] Click Here to Ask a Question on the Podcast [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/podcast-question] Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain [https://www.instagram.com/mindbodymedicineforchronicpain/] – Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: ATNS: www.symptomatic.me [https://www.symptomatic.me/] All The Rage Documentary: https://alltheragedoc.com [https://alltheragedoc.com/] You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay [https://www.hayhouse.com/you-can-heal-your-life-paperback?srsltid=AfmBOooDEAUqYh6J2n3T2_FSRCZd0q3Ld7xP2wT8Ov9a0N4zBy2dM-_d] – …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.

Bonus | How To Change Your Negative Patterns

In this Episode: How To Change Your Negative Patterns 🔹 Step 1) Awareness of patterns that aren’t serving you. Become aware of patterns that keep your emotions repressed and keep your true self repressed. 🔹 Step 2) Recognize a new pattern that will serve you better. 🔹 Step 3) Try on the new pattern. Practice the new pattern. All of these steps are hard. But they are possible for you. And this, of course, connects to healing chronic pain and symptoms. Listen along today, and learn how to bring this into your life. – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/] Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/join] Click Here to Ask a Question on the Podcast [https://www.mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com/podcast-question] Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain [https://www.instagram.com/mindbodymedicineforchronicpain/] – …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.