Stubborn Symptoms,
Inadequate Relief
The people I tend to work with often have several things in common: they’ve been to many doctors, tried physical therapy and other body-oriented interventions (surgery, injections, medications—or alternatives like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and so on) that did not lead to lasting relief. Or they’ve taken on mind-oriented therapies—cognitive-behavior, emotion-focused, somatic therapy, and tried an array of anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications.
They may have done some research into their ailments. When I was suffering from chronic arm pain, I read an entire medical textbook, Tendinitis: Etiology and Treatment, and implemented its recommendations precisely. There was some relief, then a relapse.
Some people I work with have visited some of the most advanced medical specialists in the world and spent thousands of dollars on treatments that did not work.
At some point, hopelessness and depression can set in, as well as a sense that chronic pain and other symptoms are unavoidable.
Neuroplastic Relief Sounds Nice, But Does It Work?
Along the way perhaps they’ve picked up a book by John Sarno, Alan Gordon, or Howard Schubiner; or listened to a podcast like “Tell Me About Your Pain” or “The Cure for Chronic Pain.” Despite trying the mind-body practices, the symptoms only reduced a little, or not at all.
Some people have fully accepted the idea their suffering is not driven by structural damage, but they see only partial benefit in their day-to-day. Others alternate between accepting, doubting, and rejecting the idea that their brain is driving their symptoms.
We All Need Help To See Our Blind Spots
While it can be easy to spot the reasons for other people’s suffering, it’s difficult to see our own fears and other blind spots with clarity. In addition, these teachings around how to heal from chronic symptoms are counterintuitive; most people need a guide in order to become 70-99% symptom-free. There is no shame in turning to another for help. We are social beings, and we heal through relationship with others.
Why Pain/Neural Reprocessing Coaching?
Working with a recovery coach for chronic symptoms is an excellent option especially for people who want to see a practitioner who has been through similar ordeal, has recovered, and has put their life back together.
Coaches tend to be more affordable and accessible than therapists and physicians, and they work with clients remotely throughout the world.
“Pain Reprocessing Therapy” (aka Neural Reprocessing Therapy) is an evidence-based treatment that has been studied with funding from the NIH in randomly controlled trials. It is the most effective treatment for chronic back pain: over 66% of people randomized to the treatment became pain-free or largely pain free after eight sessions. This landmark study published in JAMA Psychiatry, which was widely reported on throughout the media, featured brain scans that demonstrated significant rewiring of neural networks involved in producing pain perception. Pain Reprocessing Coaching is an adaptation of the treatment that can be practiced and offered by coaches.
What I Offer
> Pain/Neural Reprocessing Coaching
> Customized Somatic Tracking
> Coaching that Leads to Mind-Body Insights and Symptom Relief
As someone who overcame a pain syndrome in 2004, and has been working as a filmmaker within the mind-body community since 2011, I bring over a decade of experience and knowledge about the neuroplastic, or mind-body healing process.
I guide people in one-on-one coaching sessions toward relief from a wide array of neuroplastic conditions, including musculoskeletal pain (arm, leg, back, head, neck, and fibromyalgia), functional somatic syndromes like migraine, IBS, and FND, as well as post-infectious syndromes like ME/CFS, Chronic Lyme, and Long Covid, to name some of the 30+ conditions. Chronic symptoms that can be unlearned include pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, brain fog, digestive dysfunction, motor control issues, and many more. A comprehensive list of mind-body conditions can be found here.
While they’re not a silver bullet, these coaching collaborations reliably lead to substantial reductions in symptoms.
What Healing Looks Like
People I’ve worked with have gone from years of suffering to largely symptom-free, sometimes rapidly, more often over several months. They return to activities they love without fear: gardening, bike riding, hiking. They live knowing how to handle spikes of their pain or other symptoms without getting lost in worry, and they don’t get sucked into pursuing unnecessary medical tests, medications, and procedures.
Transformation is possible, and it can be life-changing in more ways than just eliminating symptoms. People become reconnected with joy, calm, equanimity, and a deeper sense of purpose.
Testimonials
“I spent almost 3 years in chronic arm pain and going to the Mayo Clinic, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Hospital for Special Surgery, seeing some of the country's best doctors, but not getting better.
When I started working with Kent, it was a major sense of relief as he had been through arm pain too! He provided compassionate understanding about my pain and was my support as I gradually increased my computer time use and other 'hands heavy' activities.
Kent is very 'whole person' centric in his approach. We went over some of my past and he encouraged me to lead a very values-aligned approach. This piece of wisdom has been paramount in doing further self-discovery and aligning the pieces of my life so that I'm living my values. It's even helped to lessen the activity with my autoimmune disease as well. 10/10 recommend working with Kent!” — Cathy M.
“The mind-body healing work I did with Kent has materially improved my life in so many ways, and I can see path towards a future I'm excited about.” -Victor S.