This episode was originally released as an exclusive Patreon video, but in the current climate, we believe it is too important to keep behind a paywall.
Pain patients are increasingly being told their pain is “centralized,” “neuroplastic,” “psychological,” or simply “in the brain.” But what does that actually mean? And if a clinician claims someone’s physical pain is psychological, what diagnostic criteria are they using?
In this conversation, Bev and Brandy speak with Asaf Weisman, a physiotherapist, researcher, PhD candidate, and lab manager at the Tel Aviv University Spinal Research Lab, about nociception, chronic pain, imaging, immune-system involvement, pain reprocessing claims, phantom limb pain, and the growing problem of dismissing patients when standard testing does not show a clear structural cause.
Asaf explains why the absence of visible tissue damage on standard imaging does not prove the absence of a biological process, why pain cannot simply be labeled “psychological” without clear criteria, and why patients deserve better than gaslighting, abandonment, and one-size-fits-all narratives.
Originally shared with our Patreon community. Released publicly because pain patients need to hear this.
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Disclaimer: This episode is for education, commentary, and advocacy purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your own medical professional for care decisions.
