FAQs

While there are times when the structural damage seen on medical imaging is so severe that it requires medical intervention, a growing body of research is showing that the “wear-and-tear” changes seen on x-rays, MRIs, and other scans is a normal part of the aging process. These changes frequently cause no symptoms at all, and are often just incidental to the exam and not the cause of the pain.

​Anyone who has been experiencing chronic pain or other symptoms for at least four months and has ruled out serious medical conditions such as tumors, infection, or other disease. Those who benefit from the program are open to the possibility that their symptoms have psychological and emotional roots—a condition known by various names including Mindbody Syndrome, Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), neuroplastic pain, central sensitization, and neurogenic pain.

Definitely not--your symptoms are real! If you’ve been able to rule out out serious medical conditions, however, there’s a good chance that the pain is being caused by stress and emotions that haven’t been addressed at a conscious level. It’s your brain’s way of telling you that your inner life needs greater care and attention. For more information on how the brain creates real symptoms in the absence of structural damage or disease, check out this video on my YouTube Channel.

The foundation of a mindbody approach to healing involves sending messages of safety to the brain, which has been stuck in "danger mode" and is creating symptoms in the absence of any real physical threat. If you've already confirmed with your doctors that your symptoms are not due to a serious medical condition, pursuing additional treatments while in coaching can be counterproductive because it sends the conflicting messages to the brain that something is physically damaged. That said, if you want to get a massage, take a yoga class, etc. simply because it makes you happy--and not with the intention of treating your symptoms--by all means go for it! ​And if you're taking medication for your symptoms, never stop taking it without the close supervision of a medical professional.

The full coaching program is an important personal and financial commitment, and you should feel completely confident before making that investment. You're invited to schedule a FREE consultation at a time convenient for you by clicking here. Or, you can sign up for the Mind-Body Symptom Assessment and take advantage of a focused, single session of coaching with me at a low price. Find the details on the Work with Me page.

​Recovery from Mindbody Syndrome/TMS is rarely a linear process. It’s totally normal to start feeling better, only to find yourself “backsliding” a short time later. Additionally, it can take some time to identify the underlying causes of symptoms along with the specific techniques and practices that each person will respond to. Six sessions will provide adequate time to do the work and acquire the skills necessary to keep you healthy well into the future. Typically, those sessions are scheduled over a 10—week period, but we can schedule them over longer time periods based on the amount of 1:1 support you need.

​The healing process for Mindbody Syndrome/TMS is different for each person. In rare cases, people have recovered from simply reading a book about the condition! Other people can take weeks, months, or sometimes years, to recover. A lot depends on your willingness to accept that your symptoms have emotional roots, along with your willingness to do the internal work around emotional and behavioral habits that keep you in pain. My six-session coaching program provides the time necessary to do the deeper work and provide you with the resources necessary to take charge of your own healing and prevent (or more easily manage) any future flare-ups