We read out the kinds of comments so many listeners have heard:
“it’s all in your head,” “just push through,” “you look fine”
We unpack why those words spike fear, isolation when you're dealing with chronic pain and symptoms.
We share a story from early in our relationship, when a vacation we hoped would reset everything turned into a painful turning point. It’s messy and honest. We talk about how both experiences can be true at once. The person in pain deserves compassion and validation, and the supporter may also feel overwhelmed, confused, or helpless.
You’ll leave with practical communication tools you can use right away, plus a reality check about safety: when open conversation helps, and when certain relationships or providers are unlikely to change. We end with a hopeful strategy we’ve seen work again and again building a mind body team by educating the people who support you, so your recovery tools like somatic practices, graded exposure, and brain-based approaches make sense to everyone at home.
Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married!
In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were neuroplastic, not structural. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms.
Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make changes in your life and health!
The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/
Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, an in-depth online course that provides a step-by-step process for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com
Check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ
And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy
Disclaimer: The information provided on this podcast is for general in...
