When the Diagnosis Becomes the Problem

The Conversation Every Spine Patient Deserves

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Dr. Scott Phillips, a neurosurgeon.  Dr. Phillips explores common misconceptions patients hear from surgeons, including phrases like "you need surgery" and "it's not bad enough yet." He discusses how surgeons often fail to clearly explain why surgery is not recommended or offer alternative non-surgical options. He talks about problems with "upscaling" surgeries to include unnecessary levels or instrumentation, noting that patients often receive larger, riskier procedures than needed for their symptoms. He highlights the need for better communication with patients about both surgical and non-surgical treatment options, particularly given that chronic pain can be a complication of surgery even when structural problems are addressed. Download the transcript: https://backincontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Transcript-Interview-2-w-Scott-Phillips.pdf [https://backincontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Transcript-Interview-2-w-Scott-Phillips.pdf] Scott Phillips, M.D. received his Bachelor's degree at the University of Kentucky in his hometown of Lexington, KY., and went on to complete his Medical Degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed a 7-year Neurological Surgery Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. As part of the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program, he then served 4 years on Active Duty as a Staff Neurosurgeon at San Antonio Military Medical Center. After Honorable Separation in 2017, he served the citizens of San Antonio Texas before relocating to practice in Wichita Falls and the greater North Texas area. For more information, visit: https://excelsis.life [https://excelsis.life/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

When the Diagnosis Becomes the Problem

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Dr. Scott Phillips, a neurosurgeon. Dr. Phillips discusses how he has evolved his approach to patient care in spine surgery, particularly focusing on addressing misinformation that causes anxiety. He identified numerous incorrect phrases commonly told to patients, including claims about scar tissue, arthritis, weight being a cause, and various potential triggers for back pain. He attributes his current understanding to key influences including reading David's Back in Control book, discovering the Boulder Back Pain Study, and joining the Neuroplastic Symptom Society. Scott explains that the common misconception that long-term back pain requires surgery is incorrect, as surgical treatment options should not be determined by pain duration or severity. Download the transcript: https://backincontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Transcript-Interview-1-w-Scott-Phillips.pdf [https://backincontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Transcript-Interview-1-w-Scott-Phillips.pdf] Scott Phillips, M.D. received his Bachelor's degree at the University of Kentucky in his hometown of Lexington, KY., and went on to complete his Medical Degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed a 7-year Neurological Surgery Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. As part of the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program, he then served 4 years on Active Duty as a Staff Neurosurgeon at San Antonio Military Medical Center. After Honorable Separation in 2017, he served the citizens of San Antonio Texas before relocating to practice in Wichita Falls and the greater North Texas area. For more information, visit: https://excelsis.life [https://excelsis.life/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Connection and Ritual in the Healing Process

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Michael Broukhim, a board-certified integrative psychiatrist.  He talks about his approach to healing through connection and ritual. He explains how disconnection from oneself and others contributes to mental health issues, particularly noting the impact of excessive screen time and social media use. He discusses his program "Rituality", which aims to help people develop meaningful rituals and connect with others through various practitioners and community-building activities. He also emphasizes the importance of repeatable, meaningful behaviors in breaking the cycle of fight-or-flight response and promoting healing. Download the transcript https://backincontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Transcript-Interview-2-w-Michael-Broukhim.pdf [https://backincontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Transcript-Interview-2-w-Michael-Broukhim.pdf] Michael Broukhim, D.O., is a board-certified integrative psychiatrist, rabbinical student, and entrepreneur devoted to helping people rediscover their own agency and wholeness. As Medical Director of Hope Therapy and Psychiatry, he leads a holistic model of care that pursues root-cause healing and the integration of mind, body, spirit, and community. His practice pairs evidence-based therapies with nutrition and lifestyle medicine and, where appropriate, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy—often with the goal of helping patients safely reduce or discontinue medications within a framework that honors meaning and belonging. Alongside his clinical work, Michael is pursuing rabbinical ordination at the Academy for Jewish Religion California. Drawing on both his medical practice and his spiritual path, he founded Rituality, a platform that makes ritual accessible across traditions and life stages, empowering people to live with intention, cultivate belonging, and return to what matters most.  For more information visit:  https://hope-therapy-center.com [https://hope-therapy-center.com] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Connecting Thought Patterns, Immunity and Healing

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Michael Broukhim, a board-certified integrative psychiatrist. He shares his background in integrative psychiatry and how he trained at the University of Arizona which had the only integrative psychiatry track in the United States at the time. He uses non-medication approaches. He explains how chronic sympathetic overdrive can lead to multiple physical symptoms, including irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia, and discusses his approach to treating patients by addressing the underlying stress physiology rather than just symptoms. Download the transcript https://backincontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Transcript-Interview-1-w-Michael-Broukhim.pdf [https://backincontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Transcript-Interview-1-w-Michael-Broukhim.pdf] Michael Broukhim, D.O., is a board-certified integrative psychiatrist, rabbinical student, and entrepreneur devoted to helping people rediscover their own agency and wholeness. As Medical Director of Hope Therapy and Psychiatry, he leads a holistic model of care that pursues root-cause healing and the integration of mind, body, spirit, and community. His practice pairs evidence-based therapies with nutrition and lifestyle medicine and, where appropriate, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy—often with the goal of helping patients safely reduce or discontinue medications within a framework that honors meaning and belonging. Alongside his clinical work, Michael is pursuing rabbinical ordination at the Academy for Jewish Religion California. Drawing on both his medical practice and his spiritual path, he founded Rituality, a platform that makes ritual accessible across traditions and life stages, empowering people to live with intention, cultivate belonging, and return to what matters most.  For more information visit:  https://hope-therapy-center.com [https://hope-therapy-center.com] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Weaving Motivation, Movement, Mindfulness with Self-compassion to Heal

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Janet Huehls a clinician, coach, and educator.  She discusses her approach to wellness, emphasizing the interconnectedness of nutrition, exercise, and rest. She describes her coaching process, which begins with a "core why" call to identify internal motivation. Her coaching approach combines movement, mindfulness, and motivation, which she has personally applied to navigate challenges like grief and emotional pain. She emphasized the importance of a whole person approach and introduces the concept of the "big 3" factors—eating, exercising, and managing stress—and the innate energy management system that includes nourishing, moving, and resting well. Download the transcript [https://backincontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Transcript-Interview-2-w-Janet-Huehls-transcript.pdf] Janet Huehls is a clinician, coach, and educator transforming exercise from something people feel they should do into a resource for whole-person well-being. For over 30 years, she has guided individuals with medical conditions to use movement in ways that support healing, function, and quality of life. Her evidence-based method blends movement science, motivation science, and mindfulness to reduce pain, stress, and low motivation so people can Be Well Now. She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology and is a national board-certified health coach and certified yoga teacher. For more information visit:  https://exercisingwell.com [https://exercisingwell.com/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]