Back in Control Radio

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Jamie Shafir – LCSW, health coach and adolescent specialist at the Mind Body Therapy Center. She discusses the significance of early intervention and psychoeducation in addressing chronic pain in youth. She explains the different components of her approach including: pain reprocessing therapy, emotional awareness and expression therapy, and intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy. She emphasizes the importance of establishing safety and rapport with patients, and also discusses the nuances of treating adolescents and children, highlighting the need for tailored approaches that account for the unique brain development and cognitive abilities of young individuals. She talks about the challenges of working with families and stresses the importance of establishing strong clinical boundaries to create a safe environment for young clients. Jamie Shafir is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, health coach, and adolescent specialist at the Mind Body Therapy Center. She is trained in and practices Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy, as well as Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. Jamie pulls from her breadth of training and clinical experience to tailor and provide her youngest clients developmentally appropriate services through a chronic pain informed lens. For more information, email her at: jamie@mindbodytherapycenter.org.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Jamie Shafir – LCSW, health coach and adolescent specialist at the Mind Body Therapy Center. She shares how her sister’s early experience with chronic pain got her interested in non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety and for pain. She transitioned from her fundraising and grant writing work with adolescent youth groups to private practice with the help of Dr. Daniel Lyman. She talks about the unique challenges of working with children and adolescents, particularly in the context of chronic pain. She emphasizes the need for a tailored and informed approach when working with young clients and the importance of managing the expectations of parents. Jamie Shafir is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, health coach, and adolescent specialist at the Mind Body Therapy Center. She is trained in and practices Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy, as well as Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. Jamie pulls from her breadth of training and clinical experience to tailor and provide her youngest clients developmentally appropriate services through a chronic pain informed lens. For more information, email her at: jamie@mindbodytherapycenter.org.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Stephanie Carter Kelley – an orthopedic physical therapist. She explains her approach to treating patients with chronic pain and emphasizes the need for a more holistic and empathetic approach to addressing chronic pain. She talks about the benefits of a multi-dimensional approach to treatment incorporating yoga, breathing techniques, mediation, and training patients to understand the triggers associated with their pain, in addition to physical therapy. She discusses her “PEACE” approach to chronic pain: Practice, Education, Aligning with your values, Creating new habits and Empowerment. She stresses the importance of taking the time to build a therapeutic relationship with her patients. After 30 years of practicing orthopedic physical therapy combined with 20 years of teaching in physical therapy, publishing research, and leading quality improvement efforts, Dr. Stephanie left the security of the academic medical institution to start an integrative practice blending yoga with physical therapy.  She sees clients one-on-one, teaches group classes, and provides online programs using yoga as the primary intervention for healing chronic musculoskeletal pain. As a person who has also suffered with her own chronic pain, she now considers herself a teacher, guide and coach on a mission to empower other mature women with chronic low back pain to not be held back and to consistently and confidently engage in an active lifestyle. For more information, visit https://www.stephaniecarterkelley.com/Pain, Chronic Pain, Healing,

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Stephanie Carter Kelley – an orthopedic physical therapist. She shares her personal experience of turning to yoga for relief after experiencing physical discomfort following her first pregnancy. She describes how she found hope and persistence in yoga, and how it eventually led her to integrate yoga into her life. She discusses the multifaceted benefits of yoga, including its ability to calm the nervous system, which she finds particularly interesting given her background as a physical therapist. She also explores the idea of separating one's identity from stress physiology as a crucial step in the healing process, emphasizing the importance of feeling safe. After 30 years of practicing orthopedic physical therapy combined with 20 years of teaching in physical therapy, publishing research, and leading quality improvement efforts, Dr. Stephanie left the security of the academic medical institution to start an integrative practice blending yoga with physical therapy.  She sees clients one-on-one, teaches group classes, and provides online programs using yoga as the primary intervention for healing chronic musculoskeletal pain. As a person who has also suffered with her own chronic pain, she now considers herself a teacher, guide and coach on a mission to empower other mature women with chronic low back pain to not be held back and to consistently and confidently engage in an active lifestyle. For more information, visit https://www.stephaniecarterkelley.com/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Agnes Szymczak – an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Coach, and Restorative Breathing Coach. She explores the crucial steps in the healing journey, emphasizing the need to disassociate pain from the body and nurture joy. She also explains the integrative approach to pain management, emphasizing the role of diet, breath work, and pain reprocessing therapy in reducing inflammation and calming the body. She underscores the interconnected nature of these interventions and the need for a holistic approach to address chronic pain effectively. She also talks about the different aspects of pain reprocessing therapy, highlighting its significance in pain management. As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Coach, and Buteyko Restorative Breathing Coach, Agnes helps busy moms with scoliosis and arthritis break free from debilitating pain, fatigue and anxiety and reclaim their lives so that they can keep up with their kids, travel and have energy to do what they love.  Her own healthy journey includes healing from years of chronic and debilitating back pain, fatigue and anxiety. Agnes found a fascination with Neuroscience had developed a deep understanding of the physiological ramifications that stress can have on the mind, body and spirit. She supports others in regaining agency over their health and understanding their unique needs so that they may lead their version of a healthy life. Her mission is to help you restore your health by healing your mind, body and spirit and to start living and stop surviving. For more information, visit https://www.thesimplebeautifulwellness.com/Pain, Chronic Pain, Healing,

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Agnes Szymczak – an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, She recounts her scoliosis surgery at sixteen and her struggle with chronic lower back pain that started in her early thirties, causing severe limitations and debilitating pain. She tried various treatments without success. After her third child, her pain became intense and disabling. She found that applying the principles in Back in Control, mental rehearsals of what she wanted to do, and adopting a mindset of gratitude and acceptance, led to significant pain relief and improved mobility. She experienced a transformation from debilitating pain to her current state of wellness. As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Coach, and Buteyko Restorative Breathing Coach, Agnes helps busy moms with scoliosis and arthritis break free from debilitating pain, fatigue and anxiety and reclaim their lives so that they can keep up with their kids, travel and have energy to do what they love.  Her own healthy journey includes healing from years of chronic and debilitating back pain, fatigue and anxiety. Agnes found a fascination with Neuroscience had developed a deep understanding of the physiological ramifications that stress can have on the mind, body and spirit. She supports others in regaining agency over their health and understanding their unique needs so that they may lead their version of a healthy life. Her mission is to help you restore your health by healing your mind, body and spirit and to start living and stop surviving. For more information, visit https://www.thesimplebeautifulwellness.com/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Matt Bonin – consultant, speaker and author of Light from Darkness. He discusses how getting a new perspective on his trauma was part of his healing. In his therapy, he went from seeing his story as shameful and belittling to it being empowering and a source of pride. He began to heal when he came to believe that he could heal. He learned to acknowledge his suffering, and understand that darkness and light are part of the same experience. His new insights allowed him to tackle what he used to think of as impossible. Matthieu Bonin alleviates suffering and radiates joy. In July 2022, he stage-swam 154km around the world’s largest freshwater island, Manitoulin, to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis research.  He strives to bring light to dark places which he does by speaking, writing, consulting and adventuring.  You can learn more about Matthieu’s wellness journey in his upcoming book: Light From Darkness. More information about Matt can also be found at: https://bvmsports.com/2022/05/30/swimming-through-deep-waters-saved-this-sudbury-native-from-a-dark-place/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Matt Bonin – consultant, speaker and author of Light from Darkness. He relates the story of his struggle with severe depressive episodes accompanied by a number of physical symptoms. At age 29, he developed functional neurological disorder – and experienced periodic semi-catatonic states where he could not move. His healing started after he found an empathic doctor and began therapy. He discovered that the mind / body dichotomy of modern medicine was false and that by taking small steps, he could play a role in his healing This awareness helped him move from despair to hope and his mantra became “I want to want to heal.” Matthieu Bonin alleviates suffering and radiates joy. In July 2022, he stage-swam 154km around the world’s largest freshwater island, Manitoulin, to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis research.  He strives to bring light to dark places which he does by speaking, writing, consulting and adventuring.  You can learn more about Matthieu’s wellness journey in his upcoming book: Light From Darkness. More information about Matt can also be found at: https://bvmsports.com/2022/05/30/swimming-through-deep-waters-saved-this-sudbury-native-from-a-dark-place/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Lee Canter – founder of Canter & Co. and author of My Migraine Breakthrough. He discusses the skills he learned in his work with Dr. David Schechter to break out of the pain and fear cycle. These included: realizing he could control his healing; learning to think about his symptoms in the context of his life; and using tools like meditation and expressive writing. He describes the psychophysiological approach used by Dr. Schechter. In the process, he discovered that he had more to offer the world, that he didn’t have to be a “special” person and that his new life is wrapped up in giving back and doing what brings him joy. Lee’s commitment to helping other sufferers of chronic pain disorders is a direct outgrowth of his experience with chronic migraine symptoms. After over seven years of being almost bedridden, seeing numerous medical professionals and getting no help from traditional biomedical treatments, he was finally cured of his symptoms using a psychophysiologic treatment approach. Critical to his recovery was the support he received from current board member Dr. David Schechter, and former board member Derek Sapico, LMFT. Lee began his professional career as a clinical social worker. He then became a highly successful entrepreneur. His first company, Canter and Associates Inc. was a nationally recognized educational training company. Over the life of the company, over one million educators and parents purchased its books and videos or participated in its training programs. The company was sold to Sylvan/Laureate Inc. His passion is to use his professional expertise and his personal experience to help spread the word on the use of a psychophysiologic treatment approach to other chronic pain sufferers, especially those with migraine symptoms.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Lee Canter – founder of Canter & Co. and author of My Migraine Breakthrough. He shares his personal battle with severe migraines which he first experienced when he was 13. When he retired after running two successful businesses, he felt useless and without purpose.  His became almost bedridden for 7 years by the symptoms of severe migraine. After taking a survey on the Curable app, he realized his migraines were a mind / body issue. He started working with Dr. David Schechter and discovered he could take control of his own healing. Lee’s commitment to helping other sufferers of chronic pain disorders is a direct outgrowth of his experience with chronic migraine symptoms. After over seven years of being almost bedridden, seeing numerous medical professionals and getting no help from traditional biomedical treatments, he was finally cured of his symptoms using a psychophysiologic treatment approach. Critical to his recovery was the support he received from current board member Dr. David Schechter, and former board member Derek Sapico, LMFT. Lee began his professional career as a clinical social worker. He then became a highly successful entrepreneur. His first company, Canter and Associates Inc. was a nationally recognized educational training company. Over the life of the company, over one million educators and parents purchased its books and videos or participated in its training programs. The company was sold to Sylvan/Laureate Inc. His passion is to use his professional expertise and his personal experience to help spread the word on the use of a psychophysiologic treatment approach to other chronic pain sufferers, especially those with migraine symptoms.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Palmer Kippola – best selling author and certified Functional Medicine Health Coach. She discusses the science behind autoimmune conditions and the body's ability to heal itself. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the physiological response to stress and the role it plays in autoimmune conditions. She also discusses the power of epigenetics and how it supersedes the concept of genetics. She explains the question of personal responsibility versus genetics, and concludes that genes only make up 10% of health outcomes, while the rest is up to environmental factors. She talks about her “FIGHTS” framework for healing which includes: food, infection, gut health, hormone balance, toxins and stress. Palmer Kippola is an author and certified Functional Medicine Health Coach who has helped many people reverse and prevent autoimmune conditions, based on her own 2-decade battle to successfully beat multiple sclerosis (MS). She’s the author of the bestselling book, Beat Autoimmune, which has a powerful foreword by Functional Medicine pioneer, Mark Hyman, MD. Palmer has done coursework with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), the HeartMath® Institute, and the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. Today she collaborates with naturopathic doctors to provide one-on-one total health recovery programs for clients in the US over Zoom. She also has a comprehensive, holistic, and self-paced online program called Beat Autoimmune Academy to help people accelerate time to a vibrant life. For more information, visit: https://palmerkippola.com.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Palmer Kippola – best selling author and certified Functional Medicine Health Coach. She shares her personal journey with multiple sclerosis (MS) and  discusses the complexities of MS, the importance of hope and optimism in healing, and the limitations of current medical treatments. She also explores the relationship between stress, physiology, and healing, and the power of epigenetics in determining health outcomes. Palmer Kippola is an author and certified Functional Medicine Health Coach who has helped many people reverse and prevent autoimmune conditions, based on her own 2-decade battle to successfully beat multiple sclerosis (MS). She’s the author of the bestselling book, Beat Autoimmune, which has a powerful foreword by Functional Medicine pioneer, Mark Hyman, MD.  Palmer has done coursework with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), the HeartMath® Institute, and the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. Today she collaborates with naturopathic doctors to provide one-on-one total health recovery programs for clients in the US over Zoom. She also has a comprehensive, holistic, and self-paced online program called Beat Autoimmune Academy to help people accelerate time to a vibrant life. For more information, visit: https://palmerkippola.com.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Michael Hodge – mind / body coach specializing in men’s pelvic health. He explains his four-step process of pain reprocessing therapy – realization to understand what is happening and why; reprocessing to remove fear; release to learn to feel and let go of the emotions; reprogramming to align with your authentic self. His process emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space where an individual can learn to feel so they can heal. Michael Hodge went through 5 years of severe pelvic pain, nagging urinary issues, and deflating sexual dysfunction in his 20’s. After returning back to strength, he went on a deep path to discover the root cause of these perplexing mind-body issues. Since teaming up with well-known pelvic expert Dr. Brianne Grogan, Michael has helped over 1,000 men to recover through a proven program that is beginning to capture the attention of scientists and physicians hungry for a proven treatment. For more information, visit: https://www.transformpelvichealth.com/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Michael Hodge – a mind / body coach specializing in men’s pelvic health. He shares his personal journey with pelvic pain and how it led him to become a pelvic health specialist. He discusses the link between pelvic pain and mind-body principles, and how anxiety and body chemistry can affect pelvic pain. He explores the concept of emotional pain versus physical pain and how the brain chooses physical pain as a coping mechanism. He highlights the importance of addressing the root cause of physical symptoms and the need for a holistic approach that allows individuals to feel emotions and not just try to fix them. Michael Hodge went through 5 years of severe pelvic pain, nagging urinary issues, and deflating sexual dysfunction in his 20’s. After returning back to strength, he went on a deep path to discover the root cause of these perplexing mind-body issues. Since teaming up with well-known pelvic expert Dr. Brianne Grogan, Michael has helped over 1,000 men to recover through a proven program that is beginning to capture the attention of scientists and physicians hungry for a proven treatment. For more information, visit: https://www.transformpelvichealth.com/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Joe Klemczewski – founder of The Diet Doc and the pioneer of macronutrient-based food intake tracking. Seeing the struggles that people had with dieting, he began re-engineering diets early in his career. The approach he developed is coaching based and experimental.  It became known as flexible dieting. He works with clients to understand their life and goals, then based on that, he determines the right amount of carbs, fats and proteins. He links that to their food preferences and makes a meal plan. The plan allows for flexibility (life happens!), but also provides a structured approach to food amounts and timing that helps achieve their goals. Joe Klemczewski is known as the Godfather of Flexible Dieting. He pioneered macronutrient-based food intake tracking more than twenty-five years ago and carved a path for the entire personal nutrition coaching industry. Klemczewski’s international brand and licensing company The Diet Doc, LLC, has continued to innovate client-centered systems used to help thousands of struggling dieters reach sustainable life change. Klemczewski has earned degrees in physical therapy, health, nutrition, health education, literary journalism, social psychology, and social science, including two doctorates and four masters degrees. For more information, visit: https://www.thedietdoc.com/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Joe Klemczewski – founder of The Diet Doc and the pioneer of macronutrient-based food intake tracking. He began participating in sports in high school and this eventually led hm to an interest in physical therapy. When he became a high performance weight lifter and body builder, he developed a deep interest in nutrition. His approach emphasizes the importance of both exercise and nutrition. Consistent and regular movement helps manage inflammatory substances like cortisol and is a cornerstone of good health. He encourages his clients to be experimental and flexible with their diet and focus on their average progress with managing the intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Joe Klemczewski is known as the Godfather of Flexible Dieting. He pioneered macronutrient-based food intake tracking more than twenty-five years ago and carved a path for the entire personal nutrition coaching industry. Klemczewski’s international brand and licensing company The Diet Doc, LLC, has continued to innovate client-centered systems used to help thousands of struggling dieters reach sustainable life change. Klemczewski has earned degrees in physical therapy, health, nutrition, health education, literary journalism, social psychology, and social science, including two doctorates and four masters degrees. For more information, visit: https://www.thedietdoc.com/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Dr. Kirk Schneider, an integrative existential psychotherapist. He explains the principles and process of his integrative existential therapy practice. He begins by asking the client two questions: How are you presently living? And how are you willing to live? The first question allows the client to explore what is going on. The second question helps clients discover a more open, internally free domain. He focuses on what is most helpful for the client at the present time and invites the client to experience the issue in the body. As they establish trust with him, they can move from experiencing vulnerability to transcend the risk and experience life as an adventure. Dr. Kirk Schneider is a leading spokesperson for existential-humanistic and existential-integrative psychotherapy.  He is an adjunct faculty at Saybrook University and Teachers College, Columbia University.   He is also the author or coauthor of 14 books, including Existential-Humanistic Therapy (with Orah Krug), Awakening to Awe, and his most recent book Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World. For more information, visit: https://kirkjschneider.com/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with Dr. Kirk Schneider, an integrative existential psychotherapist.  He shares the early experiences he had that later shaped his approach to his psychotherapy practice.  He describes the impact of his older brother’s untimely death that led him to his first visit to a psychoanalyst at the age of 6. Though he managed this early trauma fairly well, he had a nervous breakdown in graduate school that led to panic attacks and cognitive distortions. Through his work with an existential therapist, Dr. Ann Gustin, he was able to heal and move from terror to curiosity to possibility. Dr. Kirk Schneider is a leading spokesperson for existential-humanistic and existential-integrative psychotherapy.  He is an adjunct faculty at Saybrook University and Teachers College, Columbia University.   He is also the author or coauthor of 14 books, including Existential-Humanistic Therapy (with Orah Krug), Awakening to Awe, and his most recent book Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World. For more information, visit: https://kirkjschneider.com/

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with world renowned surgeon and best-selling author, Bernie Sigel, MD.  He discusses how patient drawings offer key insights into how the patient feels about their illness and treatment, as well as key events that have shaped their lives. He shares stories that illustrate these insights and how he used them to help patients tap into their innate healing power. He suggests that physicians should use patient drawings as a way to build trust and understanding with the patient. Bernie S. Siegel, MD, is a well-known proponent of integrative and holistic approaches to healing that heal not just the body but also the mind and soul.  He attended Colgate University and studied medicine at Cornell University Medical College. His surgical training took place at Yale–New Haven Hospital, West Haven Veterans Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In 1978 Bernie pioneered a new approach to group and individual cancer therapy called Exceptional Cancer Patients (ECaP), which utilized patients’ drawings, dreams, and feelings, and he broke new ground in facilitating important patient lifestyle changes and engaging the patient in the healing process. He is the best-selling author of Love, Medicine & Miracles and The Art of Healing.  For more information, visit: berniesiegelmd.com.

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom talks with world renowned surgeon and best-selling author, Bernie Sigel, MD. He shares stories that illustrate the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. He stresses the key role of understanding the patient’s story – their life situation, challenges, motivations and fears to the healing process. He expresses his belief that listening to the patient and helping them tap into their innate ability to heal is the real business of medicine. Bernie S. Siegel, MD, is a well-known proponent of integrative and holistic approaches to healing that heal not just the body but also the mind and soul.  He attended Colgate University and studied medicine at Cornell University Medical College. His surgical training took place at Yale–New Haven Hospital, West Haven Veterans Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In 1978 Bernie pioneered a new approach to group and individual cancer therapy called Exceptional Cancer Patients (ECaP), which utilized patients’ drawings, dreams, and feelings, and he broke new ground in facilitating important patient lifestyle changes and engaging the patient in the healing process. He is the best-selling author of Love, Medicine & Miracles and The Art of Healing.  For more information, visit: berniesiegelmd.com.