Additional Resources

Healing is possible.

I had daily headaches with neck and upper back pain for over two decades, and that is no longer the case. Healing is possible.  

I felt I had tried everything over the years, and had resigned myself to this pain as a permanent fixture in my life. Some of these treatment attempts helped some, but only to an extent or for a limited period of time. In addition to a foundation of healthy life habits and embodiment experience, what ultimately tipped the scales for me was learning more about pain neuroscience and mind-body methods, such as those taught by Dr. Howard Schubiner, Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). In addition, hearing others’ stories of healing through these methods helped me realize what was possible – a door of healing opened where it had been closed. Sometimes just the possibility of healing can make all the difference, and science has shown that most chronic pain can be healed! And even if the pain does continue, I firmly believe that everyone can learn to relate to their pain with less distress and more peace.

Throughout the course of my healing journey I’ve learned a lot, and am so glad I get to use my experience to help others find healing as well! Below, I’ve listed some of my top recommendations as far as additional mind-body resources to look into if you or someone you love experiences chronic pain (i.e. headaches, neck pain, back pain, IBS, fibromyalgia, etc.) or a mysterious chronic condition (such as chronic fatigue). If you are ready to release a pattern of chronic pain, I highly recommend immersing yourself in this sort of content, as this is a process of deep unlearning. Not only does this unlearning allow for a life with less pain, it allows for a life with more thriving.

Dr. Howard Schubiner

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) – IFS is an integrative approach to psychotherapy that has been a crucial element of my healing and very much guides my work with clients. This method makes space for the messages and stories that the mind-body system holds to be heard and tended. In building the skill of curious and compassionate self-awareness, a space for deep healing opens. For instance, this method helped me learn how to forge a new relationship with my chronic pain sensations, listening to them as I would with a child or friend, and gleaning the pearls of wisdom they hold. Through this process, pain can not only clear, but gets to be a beacon towards greater alignment and thriving.

Dr. Rachel Zoffness – Dr. Zoffness is a pain expert and educator, helping folks to understand the inherently multifaceted nature of pain and what to do about it. She explains how pain is not just a medical issue – it’s also emotional, cognitive, and contextual. Check out this podcast episode to learn more – 661: Rachel Zoffness | Managing Pain in Your Body and Brain (The Jordan Harbinger Show).
 

Nicole Sachs, LSCW

Embodiment – Embodiment is the lived experience of the mind-body connection, and is precisely what I specialize in helping folks develop. I feel so honored to be helping folks listen to the wisdom, patterns, and stories held within their bodies – building a life-changing bridge between body and mind. In addition to bodywork and somatic therapy (approaches that I offer), some of my favorite ways to practice embodiment include dance, yoga, and other mindful movement practices, such as those listed below. 

Apps 
  • Curable – an app focused on supporting healing from chronic pain, using similar approaches as those used by Dr. Howard Schubiner and PRT.
  • Insight Timer – this app features a huge library of free guided meditations. These can be wonderful not just for practicing mindfulness, but can also be a helpful if you have sleep difficulties. Listening to a guided sleep meditation can be a very helpful way to assist the process of falling asleep.
Note: None of these resources paid to be listed here. These are all included as resources that I have found personally helpful and/or I have seen to be helpful for others.