The Method

The experience of pain involves sensations, thoughts and emotions, constructing pain in the brain and consciousness.

The integrative healing method focuses on identifying the root causes of pain and addressing the physical-sensory, mental, and emotional components involved in the pain experience.

Threat-Sensitivity

Pain is a danger signal in repose to perceived threat

Sensation

The physical description of the pain experience – e.g., stabbing, pressing, burning, sharp, dull, etc.

Cognition

The thoughts and beliefs associated with the sensation – e.g., something is wrong with my body, damage is caused to the body, etc.

Emotion

The meaning associated with the sensation – e.g., scary, frustrating, infuriating, annoying, etc.

Rooted in the latest advancements in pain neuroscience, my methodology expands on the teachings of Dr. John Sarno, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear of movement and embracing regular exercise for the healing process.

Movement is a potent tool that profoundly impacts all aspects of pain. Through a personalized program, I blend various movement methods, including Pilates, aerial movement, somatic practices, and breathing techniques, to effect positive changes in both the body and the brain, essential for long-lasting healing and overall well-being.

Embracing a consistent routine liberates from pain while instilling newfound body confidence. Holistic benefits encompass improved physiological capabilities, tension release, nervous system regulation, sensory-motor tolerance, endurance, and the joy of free movement.

Sensation

The sensory experience of pain refers to bodily sensations in one or more painful body parts. In chronic and recurring pain, these sensations can vary in intensity, quality, and even location in the body.

Chronic pain causes avoidance of movement, which in turn leads to a weakening of the musculoskeletal system and activation of compensatory mechanisms that may increase and add symptoms. Persistent pain may lead to poor biomechanical behavior that stimulates inflammation.
Although movement is essential for healing chronic pain, pain sufferers find it difficult to return to physical activity or start and persist on their own. This avoidance is understandable because pain sufferers feel limited and weakened, and perhaps most of all – they are afraid of movement. Fear fuels the pain, preserves it and increases its intensity. Dr. John Sarno wrote that overcoming fear and returning to regular physical activity is the most important part of the healing process.
My method of training the body through adapted movement is aimed at overcoming fear avoidance and building a physical activity routine that is an essential part of the healing process.

Cognition

The brain responds with pain when it believes the body is injured.

Pain is linked to how its causes are perceived (e.g., pain due to physical damage) and its intensity is influenced by interpretation (e.g., thinking the injury is severe). Therefore, addressing the root cause of pain requires cognitive shifts – changing how pain is thought about and interpreted. While chronic pain is often attributed to physical defects or tissue damage, it’s frequently associated with central nervous system hypersensitivity and fixed brain nerve pathways. Chronic pain is neuroplastic and treatable! Incorporating up-to-date scientific knowledge about the brain’s role in pain formation and chronicity is vital for cognitive change and healing.

Pain functions as a defense mechanism, alerting us to potential threats. Chronic pain emerges when this system becomes imbalanced due to nervous system hypersensitivity. It’s not always a result of sustained tissue damage, but the brain interprets signals as real threats. Changing the brain’s response to pain is a crucial aspect of healing. Somatic movement practice helps alter bodily sensations’ meaning during movement and rest, rewiring neural pathways linked to pain and reducing perceived threat value.

Emotion

Fear can cause pain and fear of pain keeps the pain alive.

Chronic and recurring pain are associated with stress. Emotional experiences leave imprints on the physical body, influencing our responses to stressors. When our resilience is overwhelmed, emotional distress can manifest as physical tension, resulting in pain sensations

The Method

The experience of pain involves sensations, thoughts and emotions, constructing pain in the brain and consciousness. The integrative healing method focuses on identifying the root causes of pain and addressing the physical-sensory, mental, and emotional components involved in the pain experience.

Threat-Sensitivity

Pain is a danger signal in repose to perceived threat

Sensation

Avoiding movement and overcoming fear

Cognition

Diminishing Threat Value

Emotion

Physicalizing emotions

The experience of pain involves sensations, thoughts and emotions, constructing pain in the brain and consciousness.

The integrative healing method focuses on identifying the root causes of pain and addressing the physical-sensory, mental, and emotional components involved in the pain experience.