Rachel Zoffness

PAIN. What is it? Where does it come from? And how can we hurt less? Which hurts more, a kidney stone or heartache? Why does chronic pain persist? Can we turn down our pain dials? To answer these huge questions, pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness enthusiastically explains the brain, pain and how to retrain it. She is an unabashed neuronerd and a ray of hope in a field that is misunderstood, neglected and under-explained. A true life-changer of a person. Follow Dr. Rachel Zoffness on Twitter and InstagramHer Pain Management Workbook on Bookshop.org and AmazonHer website, which has a resource page with a ton of free info: zoffness.comA donation was made to The Trevor ProjectMore episode resources & linksSponsors of OlogiesTranscripts & bleeped episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, totes, masks… Follow @ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @alieward on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. Dwyer  

Dr. Rachel Zoffness, a pain psychologist and international speaker, discusses the fascinating link between pain and the brain. She explains how pain often resides in the brain, influencing our emotional state and even amplifying physical sensations. Zoffness highlights the misconception separating emotional and physical pain, advocating for holistic treatment approaches. She introduces the concept of a 'pain dial' and critiques the current pain management system, emphasizing the importance of education and lifestyle changes in reclaiming control over pain.

Dr. Rachel Zoffness, a UCSF pain psychologist and author, shares her insights on the complexities of chronic pain management. She discusses the biopsychosocial model, emphasizing how emotional health and trauma are intertwined with physical pain. Zoffness critiques the stigma surrounding chronic pain, advocating for holistic treatments that blend therapy with lifestyle changes. She also explores the therapeutic effects of humor and emotional expression, offering listeners practical strategies to reclaim control over their pain.