The Raelan Agle Podcast 156: Dr. David Hanscom: Surgery and Meds DON’T Solve Chronic Symptoms (Here’s What Does)
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Aug 9, 2025 
Dr. David Hanscom, a former complex spine surgeon turned chronic pain specialist, shares insights from his personal 15-year battle with pain. He discusses how chronic symptoms stem from threat physiology rather than physical issues that surgery and medications typically address. Hanscom advocates for holistic healing approaches, emphasizing the power of mindset, emotional well-being, and neuroplasticity. He introduces practical strategies for self-directed recovery, highlighting the importance of coping mechanisms and nurturing positive experiences as keys to overcoming chronic conditions.
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Panic Attack Sparked Years Of Symptoms
- Dr. David Hanscom recounts a panic attack on a bridge that triggered 13 years of cascading symptoms and a dysregulated nervous system.
- He explains long-term psychotherapy reinforced pain circuits until he accidentally discovered a path to recovery and became symptom-free.
Make Sleep Your First Priority
- Prioritize sleep first because lack of sleep can cause chronic low back pain and destabilize the nervous system.
- Dr. David Hanscom lists sleep, diet, and exercise as the three key ways to increase nervous system resilience.
Anger Fuels Chronic Pain
- Dr. David Hanscom identifies anger as the primary driver that sustains chronic pain.
- He explains anger is hyperactivated threat physiology that fuels inflammation and keeps the body broken down.
