Episodes

  • Overcoming Chronic Self-Rejection to Heal from Chronic Pain

    Overcoming Chronic Self-Rejection to Heal from Chronic Pain
    May 6 2025
    In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Michelle May, LPC, chair of the Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) Core Training program at the New Washington School of Psychiatry. She shares her journey into Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and how it helped her overcome chronic intense migraines caused by adverse childhood experiences. She explains that traditional therapies like CBT and mindfulness-based approaches didn't address the root causes of her issues. ISTDP, however, helped her uncover unconscious processes and deal with underlying causes of her problems, including perfectionism, self-criticism, and redirected anger. Michelle also discusses her experience with chronic pain, which was partially resolved through medical intervention but fully addressed through ISTDP therapy. She emphasizes the importance of understanding how one relates to emotions, particularly anger, in managing both mental and physical health. Download the transcript Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • A New Healing Narrative

    A New Healing Narrative
    Apr 22 2025
    In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Sachit Egan, an avid outdoorsman, runner, and weightlifter. He talks about the physiological and psychological aspects of his pain and emphasizes what he learned about the body's ability to heal and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. He also discusses the process he used for overcoming pain, including the role of persistence in healing, and the significance of challenging one's beliefs about pain management. Download the transcript Sachit Egan is an avid outdoorsman, runner, and weightlifter. In his early twenties, Sachit was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis and bulging discs that caused him severe low back and sciatic pain. A half-dozen doctors recommended that Sachit get immediate multi-level spinal fusion surgery, but a visit with Dr. Hanscom convinced Sachit to reconsider the surgical route. Today, Sachit resides in Seattle, WA where he and his partner enjoy backpacking, rock climbing, and cliff jumping in the beautiful Pacific Northwest outdoors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Getting Back in Control of Healing

    Getting Back in Control of Healing
    Apr 22 2025
    In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Sachit Ega, an avid outdoorsman, runner, and weightlifter. He discusses his back pain and the various treatments he had undergone. He had been experiencing back pain for many years, with the pain becoming more severe in 2013. He had seen multiple doctors, including surgeons, who all recommended immediate spinal fusion. However, Sachit decided to wait and read David's book, Back in Control, which led him to seek David's help. After seeing David, Sachit made the decision to forgo spine surgery and take control of his own healing. Download the transcript Sachit Egan is an avid outdoorsman, runner, and weightlifter. In his early twenties, Sachit was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis and bulging discs that caused him severe low back and sciatic pain. A half-dozen doctors recommended that Sachit get immediate multi-level spinal fusion surgery, but a visit with Dr. Hanscom convinced Sachit to reconsider the surgical route. Today, Sachit resides in Seattle, WA where he and his partner enjoy backpacking, rock climbing, and cliff jumping in the beautiful Pacific Northwest outdoors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • The Three R’s of Healing from Chronic Pain

    The Three R’s of Healing from Chronic Pain
    Mar 22 2025
    In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Lisa Goodpaster, Rachel Garfield, a therapist specializing in chronic pain and trauma. She discusses the principles of healing, which she calls The Equina Reset method. The method involves reflection, repetition, and release, which are based on the training principles of horseback riding. She highlights the significance of perseverance and having something to live for, which helped her overcome pain and achieve her goals. Rachel Sydney Garfield is both a therapist specializing in pain and trauma as well as a competitive horseback rider with an amazing story of her own. She had a miraculous recovery in the aftermath of her back breaking horse fall in which she broke three vertebrae. She went on to compete as a jumper 18 months later, wrote a book called “Stay the Course” which will hopefully be published soon about the pain management technique she discovered during her recovery process. Her technique is based on the training principles of horseback riding she titled “ The Equina Reset” Rachel has a rich full life and continues to ride, compete and live largely pain free” Follow her at Rachel Sydney equestrian on Instagram and YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Learning to Ride Out of Chronic Pain

    Learning to Ride Out of Chronic Pain
    Mar 22 2025
    Rachel Garfield, a therapist specializing in chronic pain and trauma, shares her journey through intense pain, and the healing principles she learned that helped her recover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Harnessing the Power of Mind-Body Healing for a Healthier Life

    Harnessing the Power of Mind-Body Healing for a Healthier Life
    Feb 8 2025
    In her follow-up interview with Dr. David Hanscom, Brenda Stockdale explores the profound impact of reducing chronic stress on healing and managing illnesses like cancer and autoimmune disorders. She shares insights from pioneers like Dr. Lawrence LeShan, whose approach encouraged terminally ill patients to live authentically and passionately, often resulting in unexpected recoveries. She highlights the importance of behavioral medicine techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, guided imagery, and self-awareness, in promoting safety physiology and allowing the body to heal. She underscores universal principles of healing—connecting with oneself, letting go of stress, and finding purpose and meaning in life. Download the transcript. As the Director of Behavioral Medicine at regional and nationally recognized cancer centers, Dr. Stockdale synthesizes relevant research into clinical practice through the design and implementation of evidence-based biobehavioral programming. As a result of this rigor, her work is nationally recognized and endorsed by leading specialists in multiple disciplines. For two-decades her programs have been implemented in major cancer centers and other healthcare organizations. In addition to her private practice, Stockdale is a consultant for corporate and health care organizations and developed a health psychology program for primary care settings specializing in preventive medicine, autoimmunity and stress-related conditions. She is the author of “You Can Beat the Odds: Surprising Factors Behind Chronic Illness and Cancer.” For more information, visit: https://www.brendastockdale.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Unlocking the Body’s Healing Mechanisms

    Unlocking the Body’s Healing Mechanisms
    Feb 1 2025
    In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Brenda Stockdale, Director of Behavioral Medicine at regional and nationally recognized cancer centers. She explores her innovative work in health psychology, focusing on helping individuals manage chronic pain and overcome serious illnesses through techniques like psychoneuroimmunology. She discusses her involvement with Bernie Siegel’s Exceptional Cancer Patients (ECAP) program, highlighting the transformative impact of fostering self-mastery, commitment, and the ability to view challenges as turning points. In addition, she shares her personal journey with lupus, illustrating how principles like relaxation, gratitude, and self-compassion facilitated her recovery. She emphasizes the physiological underpinnings of stress and healing, underscoring how tools like breathwork, imagery, and emotional reframing can stimulate the body's healing mechanisms. Download the transcript. As the Director of Behavioral Medicine at regional and nationally recognized cancer centers, Dr. Stockdale synthesizes relevant research into clinical practice through the design and implementation of evidence-based biobehavioral programming. As a result of this rigor, her work is nationally recognized and endorsed by leading specialists in multiple disciplines. For two decades her programs have been implemented in major cancer centers and other healthcare organizations. In addition to her private practice, Stockdale is a consultant for corporate and health care organizations and developed a health psychology program for primary care settings specializing in preventive medicine, autoimmunity and stress-related conditions. She is the author of “You Can Beat the Odds: Surprising Factors Behind Chronic Illness and Cancer.” For more information, visit: https://www.brendastockdale.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • From Fear to Freedom - How Guided Movement Heals Chronic Pain

    From Fear to Freedom - How Guided Movement Heals Chronic Pain
    Jan 22 2025
    In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Mags Clark Smith, a specialist in somatic work and mindfulness, and a contributor to a textbook on psychophysiological disorders. She highlights how guided movement can alleviate chronic pain by reducing fear and anxiety, which amplify pain responses. She emphasizes creating safety and trust to help individuals reconnect with their bodies and overcome resistance to movement. Her work has proven particularly impactful in areas like pregnancy-related pelvic pain, where fear worsens discomfort. She explains how her approach combines reducing fear and fostering movement to promote healing, setting it apart from traditional pain management methods that often overlook the emotional and neurological dimensions of chronic pain. Download the transcript. Mags draws on her extensive knowledge of the body through dance, psychology and non-verbal communication to empower people to move with confidence and resolve chronic pain. Mags offers one-to-one Resolving Chronic Pain consultations and Body Control Pilates classes, as well as taking part in chronic pain research and giving guest talks and lectures on chronic pain. Mags lectures on University Edinburgh Dance Science Masters course. For more information, visit: https://www.resolvingchronicpain.com/teaching-movement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins