Mind Your Body

Episode 24: High Definition Pain

Highly Sensitive Nervous Systems and Chronic Pain: Sensory Processing Sensitivity, Allostatic Load, and What Actually Helps

Dr. Zev Nevo explains how highly sensitive persons (HSPs)—a neurobiological trait affecting about 20–33% of people—may experience chronic pain differently due to heightened sensory processing and insula activity, leading to vivid pain descriptions often misread as catas...

Episode 23: The Parts That Hurt - When Protection Becomes Pain

Episode Description

Ever feel like you're at war with yourself when dealing with chronic pain? One part of you wants to push through while another screams "stop!" In this episode, Dr. Zev Nevo explores Internal Family Systems (IFS) and how understanding the different "parts" of yourself can transform your pain experience. Learn why these internal ...

Expanding Gratitude Amidst Chronic Pain: Transforming Your Mind-Body Connection

In this Thanksgiving special episode, we explore the complex relationship between gratitude and chronic pain. We examine the neuroscience behind gratitude practices, Polyvagal Theory, the Window of Tolerance, how gratitude affects pain perception and emotional regulation, co-regulation in relationships, and practical ways to cultivate authentic gratitude...

Compassion with Boundaries: Sustainable Support in Caregiving

In the final episode of the 'Partners in Pain' series, Dr. Zev Nevo explores the transformative concept of 'compassion with boundaries' as essential for sustainable caregiving. This episode highlights the role of empathy, the necessity of boundaries, and the impact of co-regulation in relationships affected by chronic pain. Dr. Nevo revisits the k...

Mastering Empathy to Support Partners in Chronic Pain

In this episode of Mind Your Body, Dr. Zev Nevo delves into the practice of empathy as a learnable skill, not just an inherent trait, particularly in the context of supporting partners suffering from chronic pain. Dr. Nevo outlines Brene Brown’s four attributes of empathy: perspective taking, staying out of judgment, recognizing emotion, and communicating understanding. He contra...

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body,' Dr. Zev Nevo explores the profound impact of chronic pain on relationships. He highlights how chronic pain can build an invisible wall between partners, creating a shared struggle where both individuals feel isolated. Dr. Nevo introduces a three-part series called 'Partners in Pain' aimed at addressing these challenges. Through personal anecdotes and insights from Brene Brown...

Reframing Pain: Understanding Chronic Pain's Messages

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body,' Dr. Zev Nevo, a trauma-informed physician certified in physical and regenerative medicine, explores the complex relationship between pain and mind-body health. Dr. Nevo discusses how chronic pain can become a sensitized signal, not just a warning of physical harm but an attention-grabber that indicates unaddressed needs, boundar...

Understanding Acceptance vs. Learned Helplessness in Pain Management

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body,' Dr. Zev Nevo explores the nuanced differences between acceptance and learned helplessness when dealing with pain and trauma. Using philosophical inquiries, a dystopian novel, and nature analogies, Dr. Nevo delves into how individuals process repeated adversity and trauma. He differentiates true acceptance, which f...

Decoding and Recalibrating Pain Perception for Mind-Body Wellness

In this episode of Mind Your Body, Dr. Zev Nevo delves into the intricate process of how we recognize, interpret, and respond to pain. He discusses the brain's role in making sense of physical sensations and how survival instincts can sometimes misinterpret these signals, leading to chronic pain. Dr. Nevo explains the importance of recalibrating our internal...

Overcoming Pain: A Holistic Approach to Healing

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body,' Dr. Zev Nevo, a trauma-informed physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, delves into the science behind pain and recovery. Dr. Nevo outlines a comprehensive, phased approach to move from pain to healing by understanding and addressing both physical and emotional aspects. The episode covers the importance of recognizi...

Breaking Up with Pain: Redefining Your Relationship with Physical Discomfort

In this episode of Mind Your Body, Dr. Zev Nevo delves into the critical distinction between pain as a sensation and suffering as the emotional response we attach to it. Dr. Nevo discusses why our brains resist breaking away from familiar patterns of pain and offers practical advice on how to emotionally and physically detach from pain. He emphasi...

Embracing Uncertainty to Heal Chronic Pain: The Power of 'Why Me?'

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body,' Dr. Zev Nevo explores the profound and often distressing question of 'Why me?' that many individuals with chronic pain ponder. Using personal anecdotes and evidence-based insights, Dr. Nevo explains how feelings of lost control and unfairness can trap us in a downward spiral of emotional and physical ...

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body,' Dr. Zev Nevo explores the profound connection between mind and body in the context of chronic pain and trauma. Through a series of introspective questions such as 'Where are you?', 'Who are you?', and 'What are you?', Dr. Nevo guides listeners to reflect deeply on their pain and its broader implications. He emphasizes the importance of self-inventory, unde...

Navigating Pain: A Personal Journey with Dr. Zev Nevo

In this deeply personal episode of 'Mind Your Body,' host Dr. Zev Nevo shares his recent struggles with severe pain and an upcoming spine surgery. He discusses the emotional and physical challenges of being both a physician and a patient, offering insights into the mind-body connection and the importance of metacognition. Dr. Nevo also reads a compelling poem he wr...

Rewiring Habits: Overcoming Pain and Redefining Self

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body', Dr. Zev Nevo explores the intricate relationship between habits, pain, and self-identity. He discusses how habitual behavior patterns, particularly those related to movement and posture, can perpetuate physical pain and emotional distress. Dr. Nevo shares insights on the necessity of retraining the body and mind to break free from pai...

Understanding Habits: The Science of Mind-Body Patterns

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body,' hosted by Dr. Zev Nevo, we explore the profound impact of habits on our thoughts, actions, and bodily movements. Dr. Nevo delves into the science behind habit formation, explaining how neural pathways in our brains become reinforced through repetition. He discusses how these ingrained habits, whether beneficial or detrimental,...

Exploring the Mind-Body Connection: How Personality Affects Pain Perception

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body,' Dr. Zev Nevo dives into the fascinating interplay between personality and pain perception. Dr. Nevo, a board-certified physician in physical and regenerative medicine, shares his insights on how individual personality traits can shape one's experience of pain. He discusses how cultural messages and per...

Unlocking Pain Communication: Beyond Words and Numbers

In this episode of 'Mind Your Body,' Dr. Zev Nevo explores the complex relationship between mind and body in the context of pain. He delves into neuroception and the challenges of describing internal pain to others. Drawing on insights from thinkers like Federico Faggin, Dr. Nevo emphasizes the importance of creative language and vivid metaphors in effective pain commu...

Exploring Polyvagal Theory: The Power of Co-Regulation in Pain Management

In this episode of Mind Your Body, Dr. Zev Nevo delves into how our nervous system continuously scans for safety or threats, and how this impacts our experience of pain. He introduces the concept of co-regulation, the dynamic process where individuals help each other manage emotional and physiological states, and discusses its profound implications for those s...