Perfectionism, Trauma, and Somatic Symptoms

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Chronic pain isn’t just about injury, it’s a whole-body experience shaped by your brain, nervous system, and unresolved trauma. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace are joined by Matt Bush, educator and founder of Next Level Neuro, to unpack the neuroscience of pain. Together, they explore how chronic pain is often a protective output from a dysregulated nervous system, not a sign of damage, but of danger.

Through stories, science, and powerful reframes, you’ll learn why pain persists even when tissue damage has healed, and how complex trauma and emotional suppression play a major role. The conversation covers neurotags, interoception, perfectionism, dissociation, and the tools needed to rewire the brain’s pain pathways — offering hope for those living in pain and practitioners looking for deeper healing frameworks.

This is a must-watch for anyone who experiences chronic pain, works with trauma, or wants to understand the body’s hidden survival strategies.

• Why chronic pain is an output, not just a symptom

• The neuroscience of pain: neurotags, predictions, and protection

• How trauma wires the brain for pain

• Why people with high ACE scores are more likely to develop chronic pain

• The link between dissociation, perfectionism, and pain

• Emotional repression as a driver of chronic pain

• What interoception tells us about the pain loop

• Central sensitization and why the brain gets “louder” over time

• The connection between complex PTSD and somatic symptoms

• Why emotional expression is key to nervous system healing

• How somatic work, movement, and neuro tools can rewire pain pathways

• Why chronic pain relief is possible — but multifactorial

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📚 Learn more about Matt Bush: https://www.instagram.com/nextlevelneuro

 https://nextlevelneuro.com/

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Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

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We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

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