Does thinking about your trauma make you feel horrible? Maybe you’re already feeling dysregulated? Justine Stull is an occupational therapist, a mindbody coach, a long-time mindbody symptom sufferer, and has a beautifully inspiring recovery story. On the podcast today, she discusses her personal journey with healing trauma to heal physical pain and symptoms. She offers wonderful advice – for you – about staying grounded while processing trauma.

In this Episode:

🔹 Growth is uncomfortable, but you can stay out of absolute overwhelm and shut-down.

🔹 Not all anger is equal. Anger towards a random stranger is typically easier to feel than anger towards someone with whom you had an abusive dynamic.

🔹 Start with the easier stuff. You’ll be ready for the harder traumas when you’re ready. You’ll build your tolerance.

🔹 If you become completely dysregulated in your emotions, or if your symptoms flare, you didn’t hurt yourself. It’s okay.

🔹 The exact details of the trauma story are less important than learning to feel the depth of the emotions related.

🔹 You can write/tell/journal just enough of the story to get the emotions activated. Then you can feel, express, and learn to feel okay with the emotions.

🔹 Meet yourself with curiosity and compassion. They are the polar opposites of fear and shame. Curiosity and compassion are the healing forces.

🔹 The purpose of journaling for chronic pain is NOT to fix anything. The purpose is to feel what you need to feel.

🔹 And, at the end of the episode, learn what to do if you feel very overwhelmed after a journaling session.

This is a deeply helpful conversation. Join us.

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Find Justine:

Justine's Website - newsletter, blog, & coaching: www.JustineMindBodyOT.com

Instagram: @justinemindbodyot

Justine’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/justinemindbodyot

JUSTINE’S FACEBOOK GROUP: Living the Work: www.facebook.com/groups/livingthework

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Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Click Here to Ask a Question on the Podcast

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

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Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

How to Journalspeak, with Nicole Sachs

Mind Your Body by Nicole Sachs

The Way Out by Alan Gordon

Insight Timer

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…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.