Bonus | What To Do About Arthritis in the Knees?

Today, we’re going back to the beginning. Knowledge is the base for your healing. The psychological work: understanding, internalizing, and believing the correct facts about chronic pain. And it’s so easy to doubt. A part of you is asking: What if I’m wrong? What if I’m following bad advice? What if I’m “drinking the Kool-Aid”? In this Episode: 🔹 We’re facing your doubts head-on. 🔹 A part of you thinks mindbody healing is crazy. A part of you thinks this is a scam. 🔹 Mindbody healing is very different from the mainstream medical model. 🔹 How do you know that I’m giving you the “correct” facts about pain? 🔹 Today, we’re addressing your question – maybe for the first time, or maybe for the thousandth time – will this work for me? 🔹 Can you trust this? Can you trust me? Can you trust yourself? 🔹 Or are you drinking the Kool-Aid? 🔹 We get into the whole story behind “drinking the Kool-Aid,” we discuss the reasons why you can’t trust everyone, scammers are real, people do bad things, people lead others in bad directions… and we discuss the key question: when it comes to healing chronic pain, who is REALLY drinking the Kool-Aid? This is a long one, but it’s a good one. Especially if you find yourself doubting this process. Join us. You’re not alone with your doubts. They’re welcome here. We’ll talk it out, and we’ll see what you think. – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com Click Here to Ask Sean a Question on the Podcast Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain – Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms – Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Vanessa Blackstone, MSW’s Instagram: @that.therapist New York State Office of the Professions License Verification: Sean Hershey, LCSW Book: Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America’s Heartland – …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.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE – Today, IFS practitioner Jonty Hikmet talks to us about allowing emotions to be exactly as they are. We’re not talking about rescuing yourself. We’re not talking about calming yourself. We’re just talking about feeling your emotions. As you’ll see, this is at the core of healing chronic pain and symptoms. In this Episode: 🔹 Jonty tells us, “I was told for years, there are probably emotional components to your symptoms. I just didn’t understand what that meant.” 🔹 After healing from his own chronic IBS and other symptoms using Internal Family Systems therapy, Jonty helps others do the same for themselves. 🔹 In minbody work, the intention is not soothing. The intention is “allowing.” 🔹 Jonty dives deep into the theme of allowing, including what he sees as the typical missing piece. 🔹 IFS is parts work. The psyche is comprised of a series of parts. Many times, these parts are in conflict with each other. 🔹 Internal conflict is a key driver of chronic pain and symptoms. IFS helps us access and understand our conflicting parts. 🔹 In this conversation, Jonty encourages us to ask the helpful question, “How do you feel towards what’s arising?” In doing so, we’re seeing this as a part. 🔹 Jonty teaches us many ways to move past rescuing and fixing. He gives us tools to move into allowing and self-energy. You’re going to learn a lot – and you’re going to enjoy this conversation. – Find Jonty: Jonty’s Website: jontyhikmet.com Jonty’s YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@jontyhikmet Jonty’s Instagram: @jontyhikmettherapy SKOOL COMMUNITY LINK: www.skool.com/pain-relief-programme-8762/about – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com Click Here to Ask Sean a Question Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain – Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms – Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Jonty Hikmet: The Missing Piece in Allowing S1 E10 | The Emotional Work: Beyond Journaling Liz Wallenstein, LMHC – …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.

Today: a whole episode dedicated to health anxiety. Health anxiety is a TMS equivalent. It’s a very common symptom imperative. And it can be a really hard one. Today, we take it on. In this Episode: 🔹 Just like chronic back pain doesn’t signify a problem with your back, chronic health anxiety doesn’t mean you’re ill. 🔹 Health anxiety is a TMS symptom equivalent. It’s a danger signal, and it’s a desperate attempt to keep you safe. 🔹 Our first reaction to health anxiety is usually to fix, to try to alleviate, to resist, to control, and to attempt to make it go away. 🔹 Our efforts to solve the feeling, however, are usually not helpful. 🔹 Surviving health anxiety is a 2-part process: Part 1) do your due diligence to take care of yourself. Go to the doctors. Get the tests. And then… Part 2) we have to draw the line somewhere. We have to turn away from “fixing” the emotion, and we have to surrender. We have to allow the feeling to be. 🔹 Today, I tell two stories about health anxiety in my life: one from the past, and one from the present. This is a fun episode, with a good amount of solid, actionable advice. Join us. – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com Click Here to Ask Sean a Question on the Podcast Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain – Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms – Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: S1 E2 | What is TMS? The Cure for Chronic Pain Podcast with Nicole Sachs, LCSW – …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.

Damien Reilly is a certified addiction recovery coach. He’s also trained in pain reprocessing therapy. Damien’s been abstinent from drugs and alcohol for 14.5 years. He tells us about his use, his recovery, and the connection between his use and his chronic atypical facial pain, or trigeminal neuralgia. In this Episode: 🔹 Addiction is a brain disease. 🔹 When we’re healing chronic pain, we’re rewiring the brain. 🔹 The two recovery processes (addiction and pain) actually have much in common. In both, we want to change the pathways in the brain. 🔹 Damien has a long history of chronic atypical facial pain, or trigeminal neuralgia. 🔹 Damien says, of his use, “Using would either make the pain go away – or it would make me not care.” 🔹 Damien discusses the importance of a pivotal shift in his mindset: “Stop trying to get rid of the pain, and start trying to get rid of the fear.” When it comes to pain, Damien says, “I have nothing to be afraid of.” Beautifully put. Join us for this powerful discussion about chronic pain – and about the intersection between pain and addiction. – Find Damien: Damien’s Website: reillyrecovery.com Damien’s Email: [email protected] Damien’s Instagram: @reillyrecovery Damien’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/damien-reilly-99596a12a – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com Click Here to Ask Sean a Question Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain – Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms – Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: S5 E11 | How To Trust Yourself with Anna Holtzman, LMHC S6 E5 | The Highly Sensitive Person and Chronic Pain with Kayla Jacobsen, LICSW The Pain Psychology Center – …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.

Tate Odell is my personal trainer, and I’m excited to welcome him to the podcast today. Tate’s been in the fitness industry for many, many years. He and I, of course, have different professional backgrounds, but we can easily agree on one thing: pain in the body does not necessarily mean there’s something structurally wrong with the body at the site of the pain. Today, you get that perspective from a personal trainer. In this Episode: 🔹 Tate takes us through his advice for people who feel afraid of exercise. 🔹 He explains, particularly, what to do if you’re afraid of exercise due to pain. 🔹 Tate and I discuss debunking “associating your pain with harm.” 🔹 It’s so important to move out of that mental paradigm because, as we know, pain does not necessarily mean harm. This is a great conversation with gentle advice for anyone who wants to reestablish a new relationship with exercise and fitness. Join us. – Find Tate: Tate’s Website: pays2progress.com Tate’s Instagram: @pays2progress_ – Find Sean: Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com Click Here to Ask Sean a Question Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain – Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: S1 E2 | What is TMS? S4 E2 | Is My *Insert Symptom Here* TMS? Healing Back Pain by Dr. John Sarno They Can’t Find Anything Wrong by Dr. David Clarke S6 E2 | Is Neuroplastic Healing Backed By Science? – …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.