The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW S5 E15 - It Began with Knee Pain, It Ended with a Life-Changing Paradigm Shift with Deb Malkin
Dec 12, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Deb Malkin, a mind-body practitioner and former massage therapist, shares her transformative journey from debilitating knee pain to empowerment. She emphasizes the importance of reclaiming agency and viewing the body as a safe space instead of a broken entity. Deb dives into the harmful impacts of internalized weight stigma and cultural narratives on body image. Her 'safety walk' exercise illustrates how mindset shifts can reduce pain, while she highlights the healing power of compassionate self-listening and radical acceptance in challenging times.
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Knee Pain Triggered A Paradigm Shift
- Deb Malkin described chronic knee pain after a long-jump in a biomechanics training and feeling more alarmed by trying to 'fix' alignment.
- After a deliberate 'safety walk' and talking to her knee, her pain dropped dramatically within 24 hours, proving a paradigm shift for her.
Perfectionism Amplifies The Danger Alarm
- Deb realized biomechanics training and perfectionism amplified her danger alarm and chronic pain.
- She gained undeniable evidence that nervous-system shifts, not weight or age, changed her pain within 24 hours.
Use A Safety Walk To Reset Fear
- Do a 'safety walk' and intentionally interrupt checking or alignment scrutiny with breath and sensory grounding.
- Use simple sensory cues (feet on the floor, air, flowers) to signal safety to your body while moving.
