Back in Control with David Hanscom, MD

Why We Need to Know All the Reasons We Hurt

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Stephanie Carter Kelley – an orthopedic physical therapist. She shares her personal experience of turning to yoga for relief after experiencing physical discomfort following her first pregnancy. She describes how she found hope and persistence in yoga, and how it eventually led her to integrate yoga into her life. She discusses the multifaceted benefits of yoga, including its ability to calm the nervous system, which she finds particularly interesting given her background as a physical therapist. She also explores the idea of separating one's identity from stress physiology as a crucial step in the healing process, emphasizing the importance of feeling safe. After 30 years of practicing orthopedic physical therapy combined with 20 years of teaching in physical therapy, publishing research, and leading quality improvement efforts, Dr. Stephanie left the security of the academic medical institution to start an integrative practice blending yoga with physical therapy.  She sees clients one-on-one, teaches group classes, and provides online programs using yoga as the primary intervention for healing chronic musculoskeletal pain. As a person who has also suffered with her own chronic pain, she now considers herself a teacher, guide and coach on a mission to empower other mature women with chronic low back pain to not be held back and to consistently and confidently engage in an active lifestyle. For more information, visit https://www.stephaniecarterkelley.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being with Pain to Be Free From Pain

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Agnes Szymczak – an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Coach, and Restorative Breathing Coach. She explores the crucial steps in the healing journey, emphasizing the need to disassociate pain from the body and nurture joy. She also explains the integrative approach to pain management, emphasizing the role of diet, breath work, and pain reprocessing therapy in reducing inflammation and calming the body. She underscores the interconnected nature of these interventions and the need for a holistic approach to address chronic pain effectively. She also talks about the different aspects of pain reprocessing therapy, highlighting its significance in pain management. As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Coach, and Buteyko Restorative Breathing Coach, Agnes helps busy moms with scoliosis and arthritis break free from debilitating pain, fatigue and anxiety and reclaim their lives so that they can keep up with their kids, travel and have energy to do what they love.  Her own healthy journey includes healing from years of chronic and debilitating back pain, fatigue and anxiety. Agnes found a fascination with Neuroscience had developed a deep understanding of the physiological ramifications that stress can have on the mind, body and spirit. She supports others in regaining agency over their health and understanding their unique needs so that they may lead their version of a healthy life. Her mission is to help you restore your health by healing your mind, body and spirit and to start living and stop surviving. For more information, visit https://www.thesimplebeautifulwellness.com/Pain, Chronic Pain, Healing, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discovering a Simple, Beautiful Key to Healing

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Agnes Szymczak – an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, She recounts her scoliosis surgery at sixteen and her struggle with chronic lower back pain that started in her early thirties, causing severe limitations and debilitating pain. She tried various treatments without success. After her third child, her pain became intense and disabling. She found that applying the principles in Back in Control, mental rehearsals of what she wanted to do, and adopting a mindset of gratitude and acceptance, led to significant pain relief and improved mobility. She experienced a transformation from debilitating pain to her current state of wellness. As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Coach, and Buteyko Restorative Breathing Coach, Agnes helps busy moms with scoliosis and arthritis break free from debilitating pain, fatigue and anxiety and reclaim their lives so that they can keep up with their kids, travel and have energy to do what they love.  Her own healthy journey includes healing from years of chronic and debilitating back pain, fatigue and anxiety. Agnes found a fascination with Neuroscience had developed a deep understanding of the physiological ramifications that stress can have on the mind, body and spirit. She supports others in regaining agency over their health and understanding their unique needs so that they may lead their version of a healthy life. Her mission is to help you restore your health by healing your mind, body and spirit and to start living and stop surviving. For more information, visit https://www.thesimplebeautifulwellness.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moving from Darkness to Light

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Matt Bonin – consultant, speaker and author of Light from Darkness. He discusses how getting a new perspective on his trauma was part of his healing. In his therapy, he went from seeing his story as shameful and belittling to it being empowering and a source of pride. He began to heal when he came to believe that he could heal. He learned to acknowledge his suffering, and understand that darkness and light are part of the same experience. His new insights allowed him to tackle what he used to think of as impossible. Matthieu Bonin alleviates suffering and radiates joy. In July 2022, he stage-swam 154km around the world’s largest freshwater island, Manitoulin, to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis research.  He strives to bring light to dark places which he does by speaking, writing, consulting and adventuring.  You can learn more about Matthieu’s wellness journey in his upcoming book: Light From Darkness. More information about Matt can also be found at: https://bvmsports.com/2022/05/30/swimming-through-deep-waters-saved-this-sudbury-native-from-a-dark-place/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wanting to Want to Live

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Matt Bonin – consultant, speaker and author of Light from Darkness. He relates the story of his struggle with severe depressive episodes accompanied by a number of physical symptoms. At age 29, he developed functional neurological disorder – and experienced periodic semi-catatonic states where he could not move. His healing started after he found an empathic doctor and began therapy. He discovered that the mind / body dichotomy of modern medicine was false and that by taking small steps, he could play a role in his healing This awareness helped him move from despair to hope and his mantra became “I want to want to heal.” Matthieu Bonin alleviates suffering and radiates joy. In July 2022, he stage-swam 154km around the world’s largest freshwater island, Manitoulin, to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis research.  He strives to bring light to dark places which he does by speaking, writing, consulting and adventuring.  You can learn more about Matthieu’s wellness journey in his upcoming book: Light From Darkness. More information about Matt can also be found at: https://bvmsports.com/2022/05/30/swimming-through-deep-waters-saved-this-sudbury-native-from-a-dark-place/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices