Back in Control with David Hanscom, MD

Learning to Ride Out of Chronic Pain

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. 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 be published soon) about the pain management framework she discovered during her recovery process. Her framework is based on the methaphor and training principles of horseback riding which she titled “ The Equina Way.” 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

Healing Begins When Pain Stops Being the Enemy

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Miriam Gauci Bongiovanni, Pain Coach and MindBody Practitioner.  She explains her approach to treating patients with mind-body symptoms, emphasizing the importance of shifting focus from symptoms as enemies to understanding them as messengers. She described her initial strategy of building confidence in the mind-body connection and exploring emotional factors contributing to symptoms. She discusses the challenge of convincing patients of the non-structural causes of their symptoms and the value of open-mindedness and curiosity in the treatment process. By challenging their expectations of pain, patients can begin the healing process. Download the transcript Miriam Gauci Bongiovanni is a Trauma-informed Pain Coach and MindBody Practitioner. She made a remarkable recovery from a range of chronic symptoms by tapping into the mindbody connection. Today, she educates individuals on how to overcome a myriad of chronic symptoms by working with emotional release, mindset shifts and neuroplasticity. She is the author of The Pain Secret: Unlocking the MindBody Connection to Overcome Chronic Pain and Symptoms. For more information, visit her website at: https://www.painoutsidethebox.com/my-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Challenging Pain – From Fear to Fascination

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Miriam Gauci Bongiovanni, Pain Coach and MindBody Practitioner.  She shares her journey with chronic pain, which began with a shoulder injury while rock climbing at age 28. Despite being diagnosed with a lesion that required surgery, she chose not to undergo the procedure after learning the surgeon couldn't guarantee a pain-free recovery. Her pain eventually spread to her legs and arms, leading her to discover TMS through online research. Using a combination of journaling, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques, she recovered from her symptoms within 6 weeks, though she experienced occasional anxiety and insomnia that she managed through TMS principles. Nine years later, she remains pain-free and has returned to rock climbing. Download the transcript Miriam Gauci Bongiovanni is a Trauma-informed Pain Coach and MindBody Practitioner. She made a remarkable recovery from a range of chronic symptoms by tapping into the mindbody connection. Today, she educates individuals on how to overcome a myriad of chronic symptoms by working with emotional release, mindset shifts and neuroplasticity. She is the author of The Pain Secret: Unlocking the MindBody Connection to Overcome Chronic Pain and Symptoms. For more information, visit her website at: https://www.painoutsidethebox.com/my-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Overcoming Chronic Self-Rejection to Heal from Chronic Pain

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

A New Healing Narrative

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 transcriptSachit 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 sciaticpain. 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