Go From T to S: The Brain Retraining Method That Helps Desensitize Chronic Pain & Illness

Ever find yourself trapped in a cycle of obsessing over every twinge, googling symptoms endlessly, or talking about your pain nonstop? That mental fixation isn't just a reaction to your chronic pain and illness—it might actually be the force keeping it alive.

In this transformative episode, we unveil our powerful "Go From T to S" brain retraining technique for breaking free from chronic pain and illness patterns. This simple yet profound approach helps you identify when you're feeding symptom pathways through common behaviours (the T's): Trying to fix it, Thinking about it too much, Testing it constantly, and Talking about it excessively. We then guide you through shifting to healing actions (the S's): Starving the pathway of attention, Shifting to safety signals, Showing your body it's healthy, practicing Somatic focus appropriately, and Sticking to your game plan.

Tanner shares his personal journey from being bedridden with debilitating pain to experiencing his first breakthrough moment of genuine indifference toward symptoms during his honeymoon. He describes how cultivating this indifference wasn't about forced positive thinking, but about consistently redirecting his attention away from fear-based responses toward safety and regulation. Through concrete examples and practical strategies, we demonstrate how this technique helps your brain finally "forget" about chronic pain and illness by creating new, healthier neural pathways.

Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, fatigue, fibromyalgia, IBS, or anxiety symptoms, this episode offers a missing piece that could transform your healing journey. The goal isn't to mask or ignore your symptoms, but to change your brain's relationship with them at a fundamental level. Check out our online course for comprehensive support in implementing these strategies into your daily life: https://www.mbodycommunity.com/

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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