What really is pain and why doesn’t pain management always work the way we expect? In this episode, Dr. Deepak Ravindran, consultant in pain medicine and author of The Pain-Free Mindset, shares insights from over two decades of helping people live beyond chronic pain.
We explore why pain isn’t always caused by structural damage in the body, and how the brain plays a powerful role in deciding when we feel it. Dr. Ravindran explains why conventional pain management approaches like scans and medications can fall short, and introduces practical ways to think differently about recovery.
From the body’s built-in alarm system that detects potential threats, to the influence of stress, trauma, and mindset, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what pain really means and how Health Coaches, clinicians, and individuals alike can reframe their approach to pain management.
Topics covered in this episode:
- Why pain is not always linked to structural damage in the body
- How the brain influences when (and why) we feel pain
- The limits of scans and medications in pain management
- Understanding the body’s internal warning system
- The role of stress, trauma, and mindset in chronic pain
- How health coaches and clinicians can support better recovery
- Insights from The Pain-Free Mindset and trauma-informed care

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Dr Deepak Ravindran
02:00 – Standard approaches to pain management
05:00 – Why pain is more than just a structural problem
09:00 – How the brain interprets pain signals
13:00 – Trauma-informed approach to pain
17:00 – Effectiveness (and limits) of pain medications
22:00 – Why pain meds remain the “go-to” solution
24:00 – The role and limitations of MRI scans
29:00 – Surgery, scans, and the “Choosing Wisely” principle
32:00 – The Pain-Free Mindset framework (MINDSET acronym)
35:00 – Placebo, meaning response & surgery as “the ultimate placebo”
43:00 – Role of the clinician: listening, rapport, and expectations
49:00 – Nervous system sensitivity & overprotection
54:00 – ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and links to chronic pain
1:02:00 – Can the nervous system be calmed? Practical approaches
1:07:00 – The role of technology and VR in pain management
1:09:00 – Patient stories: calming the system to reduce pain
1:12:00 – Resources: book, talks, YouTube, training
1:14:00 – Final thoughts: the role of Health Coaches & hope in recovery
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