Breaking the Depression - Chronic Pain Cycle

Depression and chronic pain create a vicious cycle that can feel impossible to break. If you're caught in this loop, you're not alone – and there's hope for healing both simultaneously.Many people experience depression as a natural response to living with chronic pain, but few understand how these conditions feed each other through nervous system dysregulation. When your system stays in a heightened state of danger for too long, it can trigger both physical symptoms and a freeze/shutdown response we recognize as depression.Throughout this episode, we share our personal experiences with this cycle and outline four key strategies to break free. We explore how purposeful action – starting with tiny steps like brief journaling or getting sunlight – can gradually mobilize your nervous system out of shutdown. We discuss true embodiment practices that create safety with all sensations rather than forcing toxic positivity. We highlight the importance of modifying activities instead of complete avoidance, and we provide guidance on creating a depression flare plan for your most difficult days.The sensitization cycle connecting pain and depression is real and brutal, but understanding this connection is the first step toward healing. Whether you experience exhaustion, low motivation, social withdrawal, or all of these symptoms alongside your chronic pain and illness, your body isn't broken – your nervous system is simply trying to protect you the best way it knows how.As someone who has personally healed from debilitating chronic pain and depression using these approaches, I can tell you that recovery is possible. Each small step you take creates momentum toward healing both conditions simultaneously. Join us as we explore this crucial mind-body connection and provide practical tools to help you reclaim your life.Ready to start healing? Check out our free emotion practice video, explore our comprehensive online course, or book a consultation with one of our therapists through the links below. Free emotion practice: https://youtu.be/CC6wTTaWJaYTanner 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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...

Why do some people recover from chronic pain and illness with seemingly imperfect techniques while others follow every strategy meticulously yet struggle? The answer lies not in what you're doing, but how you're doing it.The foundation of effective healing isn't mastering complicated strategies—it's cultivating the right mindset. When we approach recovery with intensity, pressure, perfectionism, or fear, we inadvertently signal danger to our nervous systems, perpetuating the very symptoms we're trying to resolve.True healing begins with creating safety. This means embracing slowness, lightness, and ease in your practices and daily life. It means removing self-imposed healing deadlines and giving yourself permission for days off without guilt. It means slowing your walking pace, speaking more deliberately, and allowing unstructured free time—simple yet powerful ways to signal safety to your nervous system.Facing fears represents another crucial mindset shift. While strategic avoidance during intense flare-ups makes sense, perpetual avoidance reinforces your brain's perception of danger. Those who recover most successfully gradually expose themselves to feared triggers, sensations, and activities, dismantling their "rule book" of avoidance behaviors one small challenge at a time.Perhaps most fulfilling is reclaiming purposeful action. Chronic pain often disconnects us from activities that bring joy and meaning. Reconnecting with your values—whether through helping others, enjoying nature, or simply having dinner with friends—regulates your nervous system in ways meditation alone cannot. Start wherever your current capacity allows, extending compassion to yourself throughout the process.Finally, cultivate genuine hope in your recovery through whatever resonates—understanding the science, hearing success stories, or tracking "healing wins" beyond pain reduction. Notice how you're responding to symptoms with less fear, widening your world, and improving emotional regulation as evidence of your progress.This week, we challenge you to focus more on your healing mindset than on perfecting techniques. The path forward isn't about trying harder—it's about creating the internal conditions where healing naturally unfolds.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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...

Have you ever wondered if your determination to overcome chronic pain might actually be keeping you stuck? This eye-opening discussion reveals how our natural tendency to fight against uncomfortable symptoms can backfire by triggering more nervous system dysregulation.Tanner and Anne expertly break down the fight response – not just physical fighting, but the tension, racing thoughts, urgent behaviors, and constant attempts to fix and figure out our symptoms. "I was perpetually in fight mode for my first two years," Tanner reveals, highlighting how many of us fall into this pattern without realizing it's counterproductive.Through practical examples and compassionate guidance, they explain why frantically researching solutions, scheduling endless appointments, and pushing through pain actually sends danger signals to your brain, perpetuating the very symptoms you're trying to eliminate. The solution? A paradoxical approach that involves allowing your sensations rather than battling them.You'll discover practical strategies for breaking free from the fight cycle – embodying sensations instead of amplifying them, using safe self-talk, and embracing short-term acceptance that signals safety to your nervous system. Perhaps most challenging is learning to embrace uncertainty rather than constantly seeking control.Whether you struggle with chronic pain, mysterious symptoms, or find yourself constantly fighting to fix your body, this episode offers a refreshing perspective that could transform your healing journey. Notice when you're going into fight mode this week and try gently stepping out of it – your nervous system will thank you.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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...

What if the key to healing chronic pain isn't fixing your symptoms, but releasing the emotions trapped in your body? When our nervous systems get stuck in protection mode due to stress, trauma, or childhood experiences, physical symptoms often follow—creating a feedback loop that's difficult to break.Most of us respond to difficult emotions in ways that keep us stuck. Some disconnect completely, living "neck up" in a state of perpetual analysis (alexithymia). Others view emotions as inherently dangerous, having learned from experiences where emotions seemed overwhelming or unsafe. Many consciously avoid emotions through distraction, never allowing themselves to fully process what's happening in their bodies.Breaking this cycle requires what we call "the purge"—letting yourself fully experience and release emotional energy. This isn't always pretty. It might involve crying, shaking, or journaling raw truths. But when we allow this natural process instead of intellectualizing or ignoring our feelings, we help our nervous system regulate and begin healing.The process starts with recognizing emotions as bodily sensations. Sadness isn't just a concept—it's hollowness in your chest or a pit in your stomach. By approaching these sensations with curiosity rather than resistance, and creating safety through techniques like breathwork and self-compassion, we can release what's been trapped.This approach combines elements from pain reprocessing therapy, somatic experiencing, emotional awareness and expression therapy, and polyvagal theory. When practiced consistently, it creates a positive feedback loop—reducing resistance, releasing emotional energy, regulating your nervous system, and diminishing pain.Ready to transform your relationship with emotions and chronic symptoms? Try our free 20-minute somatic practice for releasing emotions on YouTube, or explore our comprehensive digital course "The Somatic Safety Method" with over 60 specialized practices. Your body has deep wisdom—when you listen and release what it's holding, healing becomes possible.Free Practice: https://youtu.be/CC6wTTaWJaYTanner 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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...

Ever notice how your chronic pain worsens during stress but mysteriously disappears when you're deeply engaged in something meaningful? That's exactly what chronic pain recovery coach Gemma McFall discovered during her decade-long battle with debilitating back pain.From meticulous symptom tracking (she literally mapped six specific pain points daily) to endless medical treatments across continents, Gemma's healing journey dramatically shifted when she discovered the mind-body approach through Dr. John Sarno's work. Within three months, she experienced her first pain-free day – not by fighting harder against her pain, but by understanding its true origins.What makes Gemma's approach uniquely powerful is her focus on personality strengths. Rather than viewing traits like perfectionism and high achievement as problems to overcome, she helps clients recognize these as fundamental aspects of themselves that simply need balancing. Using the Gallup Strengths Finder assessment, she guides people to leverage their natural strengths while avoiding the burnout that contributes to physical symptoms."I realized there was a direct correlation – on days when I couldn't express my 'Achiever' strength, I'd get pain. And on days when I used it too much, I'd also get pain," Gemma explains. This insight led to her development of the "4P" coaching framework: Pain understanding, Personality insights, Past experiences, and Practical tools – a comprehensive approach that meets each client exactly where they are.Whether you're mapping your own pain patterns obsessively or feeling lost in an endless cycle of treatments, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on recovery.Connect with Gemma here:Website - https://gemmamcfall.com/Free Self Assessment - https://gemmamcfall.com/free/LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamcfallInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/gemmamcfall/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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...

Your body speaks in sensations, not words, and chronic pain or illness can be its desperate cry for safety. When your nervous system feels threatened—whether from past trauma, prolonged stress, or childhood adversity—it generates protective symptoms as alarm bells.Most of us respond to these signals with frustration, anger, and self-blame, creating a vicious cycle that only heightens nervous system dysregulation and intensifies symptoms. Breaking this pattern requires a fundamental shift in how we communicate with the hurt parts of ourselves. This episode explores the cognitive dimension of that shift through self-kindness phrases—gentle wishes like "May I care for myself during this moment of suffering" or "May I accept myself just as I am"—that provide an alternative to the harsh self-talk perpetuating our pain.These phrases differ crucially from positive affirmations because they acknowledge our struggles while opening possibilities for healing. When combined with deep breathing and regular practice, they begin rewiring our automatic responses to symptoms. Through Tanner's personal story of childhood bullying and subsequent perfectionism, we see how understanding the origins of our nervous system patterns allows us to provide precisely what our younger selves needed but didn't receive—acceptance, belonging, and unconditional worth. Ready to transform your relationship with chronic pain and illness? Practice the guided self-compassion meditation in this episode, and join us next week as we explore the somatic dimension of creating safety through touch, movement, and breathwork. For additional support, check out our digital course with comprehensive resources on nervous system regulation and self-compassion: https://www.mbodycommunity.com/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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...

The moment someone tells you "you're just too sensitive," a little piece of you might shrink inside. That dismissal of your experience happens far too often for the 15-20% of us who identify as highly sensitive people. But what if your sensitivity isn't a weakness to overcome but an important aspect of who you are—one that deserves understanding, especially when chronic pain enters the picture?Sensitivity creates a unique relationship with pain. Your heightened awareness of both internal and external stimuli means your nervous system processes the world differently. Like a smoke alarm with the sensitivity dialed up, your brain might trigger pain signals more readily than others. This doesn't make your pain any less real; it simply means your path to healing might look different too.Throughout this episode, we share personal stories about navigating life as sensitive people (our whole household qualifies—except perhaps our fearless cat, Hermione!). Tanner opens up about his experiences from childhood through adulthood, from feeling overwhelmed in locker room roughhousing to managing financial stress differently. These aren't stories of weakness but illustrations of how differently our nervous systems can be wired.The good news? Understanding this connection unlocks powerful healing possibilities. Rather than fighting against your sensitivity, we explore how embracing it while developing regulation skills creates lasting relief. Through embodiment practices, safety signals (like breathwork and movement), and gradual exposure to overwhelming stimuli, you can teach your brain new patterns while honoring your sensitive nature.Your sensitivity likely gives you gifts others don't share: deeper empathy, creativity, meaningful connections, and an appreciation for beauty's subtleties. As you listen to this episode, we hope you'll begin to see your sensitivity not as something to overcome, but as an essential part of you that—when properly understood—might be your greatest strength in overcoming chronic pain and creating the life you truly desire.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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...

Your body isn't failing you - your beliefs might be. Throughout history, healers and scientists have observed how powerful beliefs can create real physical symptoms — from the "voodoo deaths" documented in 1942 to modern medical misdiagnoses that trigger health declines despite no actual disease. That same power of belief has created what we call a "pathology culture" that's making millions chronically ill.This episode dives into fascinating research that challenges everything we think we know about chronic pain. Studies from Lithuania reveal that car accident victims rarely develop chronic whiplash syndromes compared to Western countries—simply because they don't expect to. Even more striking, German researchers found that people in simulated car accidents (with no actual impact) developed whiplash symptoms at the same rate as those in real accidents. Meanwhile, demolition derby drivers who regularly experience multiple collisions report almost no neck pain.Why? Because what we believe about our bodies fundamentally shapes our physical experience.We explore the misconception that structural "abnormalities" seen on medical imaging are the cause of pain. Research consistently shows these findings—bulging discs, tears, degeneration—are incredibly common in pain-free individuals. When you're told your spine has "damage," your brain interprets that as danger, amplifying pain even when your body is structurally sound.Most chronic conditions—from fibromyalgia and back pain to IBS, headaches, and chronic fatigue—can be fully or partly neuroplastic, meaning they're generated by the brain's danger signals rather than actual damage. Understanding this opens up powerful healing pathways through belief change, brain retraining, and nervous system regulation.Ready to challenge your beliefs about your body and take healing back into your own hands? This episode gives you the scientific foundation to start that journey. If you've been frustrated by treatments that only address your physical symptoms, this perspective could change everything.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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...

What happens after chronic pain subsides? When the symptoms that once consumed your attention finally ease, where does all that pent-up energy go? This powerful conversation with therapist and coach Anna Holtzman explores the rarely discussed "what next" chapter of the healing journey.Anna shares her personal path from debilitating migraines to recovery through mind-body approaches, detailing the stages that transformed not just her pain experience but her relationship with herself. Through psychoeducation, journaling, and letting go of perfectionism, she discovered that healing wasn't about making her world smaller—it was about expanding into creativity, purpose, and authentic expression.This episode challenges the common belief that we need to restrict our lives to heal. Instead, Anna reveals how symptoms often decrease when we engage fully with our passions, provided we replace our inner "drill sergeant" with a compassionate coach. She addresses the delicate balance between stillness and creative drive, offering practical insights for navigating this middle ground without triggering your nervous system.Whether you're still in pain, beginning to recover, or fully into your "what next" chapter, this conversation provides valuable tools for channeling your energy into what truly matters. Anna Holtzman is a licensed therapist and coach who helps creatives, entrepreneurs, and coaches move through fear and self-doubt so they can grow their work in the world without abandoning themselves.After healing her own chronic migraines using mind-body techniques—and supporting others in chronic pain recovery for the past five years—Anna became passionate about helping people navigate the “what’s next” chapter after pain. She guides clients through the tender terrain of visibility, creative leadership, and sustainable impact, drawing on both her nervous system expertise and her past careers in publishing and television.Through her coaching, workshops, and podcast How to Trust Yourself, Anna supports sensitive, passionate people in showing up boldly, gently, and unapologetically in their work.She lives in Queens, NY with her husband, stepdaughter, and three orange cats.Contact Anna Here: https://www.annaholtzman.com/?r_done=1Tanner 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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...

Your body isn't damaged, but you're still feeling pain or symptoms? That's because chronic pain/symptoms often persists long after injuries heal due to a sensitized nervous system. In this illuminating episode, we unravel how your brain can misinterpret safe signals as dangerous, creating persistent pain and symptoms even when there's no structural damage.We explore the fascinating neuroscience behind chronic pain/symptoms, explaining how different brain regions become involved when pain transitions from acute to chronic. The famous neurological principle "neurons that fire together, wire together" reveals why pain/symptom pathways strengthen over time through repetitive activation. Just as learning any skill improves with practice, your brain unfortunately becomes more efficient at producing pain/symptoms when these pathways are repeatedly activated.The episode centers on a powerful solution: embodiment practices that help desensitize your overactive alarm system. Rather than staying trapped in fearful thoughts and rumination that fuel the pain/symptom cycle, we guide you through approaching sensations with curiosity and safety. Through deliberate nervous system regulation, slow breathing, and present-moment awareness, you can teach your brain to reappraise sensations it previously misinterpreted as threatening.The highlight of this episode is a complete guided somatic practice where we walk you through exploring sensations with playful curiosity—like a kitten investigating a new room—rather than fear or judgment. This brain retraining exercise helps create new neural pathways that view sensations as safe rather than dangerous.Ready to rewire your brain's pain response? Begin your healing journey by practicing embodiment consistently when symptoms are mild to moderate. For additional support, check out our digital course with over 60 somatic and brain retraining practices at mbodycommunity.com, or book a consultation with one of our therapists. Your path to freedom from chronic pain starts with understanding your nervous system and learning to create safety within.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 occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. 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 gradual 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, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/ Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com Also 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 Discl...