8 Tips & Tricks for Brain Retraining — Rewiring the Brain Out of Chronic Pain & Illness

Your brain can learn safety, and that changes everything about chronic pain and illness. We’re pulling back the curtain on brain retraining—what it is, what it isn’t, and how to use it day to day without turning healing into a pressure-filled project. If you’ve ever tried a practice, felt your pain/symptom drop once, and then chased that result like a pain pill, this conversation will reset your approach in the most helpful way.

We start by defining brain retraining in clear terms and grounding it in two pillars: safe self-talk and embodiment. You’ll hear how confident, kind language reduces threat while curious attention to sensation teaches your nervous system that your body is safe. From there, we unpack eight practical principles: show and tell (reassure, then gently expose), set a short-term goal of safety and a long-term goal of desensitization, spot dysregulation early, reframe control toward your response, practice curiosity on purpose, start with safety signals, take embodiment into daily life, and stay playful so threat stays low. We also add a bonus: be consistent without turning intensity into a new problem.

Expect down-to-earth examples you can try today, like tension-and-release breathing, quick drop-ins during daily activities, and using a light touch of humor to soften vigilance. You’ll learn why chasing instant relief backfires, how “healing wins” compound, and what it looks like to build resilience with small, repeated reps instead of white-knuckling your way through symptoms. Whether you’re new to mind-body work or refining your practice, these tools will help you feel safer, calmer, and more connected as your brain unlearns pain and illness.

If this resonates, subscribe, share with someone who needs hope, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. And if you want guided support, explore consultations at painpsychotherapy.ca and our course at 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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