In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Gofman, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Pelvic Pain Coach, to explore her incredible journey of healing from IC and chronic pelvic pain using a mind-body approach. After trying every diet, test, and treatment available, Rachel found her breakthrough by addressing the emotional and nervous system components of her symptoms.

Rachel now dedicates her career to helping women with conditions like IC (interstitial cystitis), vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia heal their pain and rediscover safety in their bodies.

We dive deep into:

Why pain can persist long after the initial trigger, like a UTI, has resolved.
How hypervigilance around perceived food triggers can worsen symptoms, and how to break free.
What it means to "feel safe" in your body and why this is essential for healing chronic pain.
Practical tools for calming the nervous system during flares.
Why progress might feel slow and how to stay hopeful on your healing journey.

Rachel’s compassionate and expert perspective will inspire anyone struggling with chronic pelvic pain to consider the profound role of the mind-body connection in their recovery.

Rachel shares her work and resources for healing chronic pelvic pain through coaching and holistic support. Don’t miss this powerful conversation. It might just change how you view healing.

0:00 Show Intro
0:37 Episode Intro
1:39 Rachel Intro
2:13 Rachel’s Journey and How She Discovered a Mind-Body Approach
6:22 What Is Mind-Body Healing
8:30 Navigating Food Fear
12:06 Exposure Tools to Overcome Food Sensitivities
15:59 Setting Realistic Time-Frame Expectations
18:28 How to Open Yourself to Mind-Body and Understanding Language
25:52 Integrated Healing Strategies
27:18 Subconscious Processes and the Brain Using Context as a Trigger
33:37 Shifting Attention to Safety
34:49 Affirmations, Positive Thought Work, and Reframing
38:35 Are Certain Personalities Susceptible to Chronic Pain?
42:51 How Rachel Guides Clients to Recovery
48:16 Where to Find Rachel
49:33 Show Outro

Connect with Rachel:

https://www.instagram.com/thepelvicpaincoach/

Read: The Way Out by Alan Gordon:

https://www.curablehealth.com/books/alan-gordon/the-way-out-approa

Go deeper with Mary’s free ebook: How to Heal your Bladder with Food.‍
Watch our free UTI training: "The Real Reason you Keep Getting UTIs
and How to Find Lasting Relief (Without Another Prescription)", here.
Explore our short course: Chronic UTIs: the Root Cause Reset, here.
Follow Mary on Instagram: @marycotter.nutrition
Visit our website: https://www.marycotternutrition.com/
Explore our 1-1 programme: the Heal your Bladder programme

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on marycotternutrition.com is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek advice from your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you may have heard on the podcast or on the website.