Hacking Into Our Pain with Dr. Ali Navidi: The Role of our Brain in Understanding Chronic Pain
Did you know that there is a deep connection between our brain and chronic pain? Dr. Cecily Havert and Dr. Natasha Beauvais are joined by Dr. Ali Navidi, a licensed clinical psychologist, for an insightful conversation on chronic pain, the relationship between pain and our brain, and more. Using empirically validated treatments such as behavioral therapy and clinical hypnosis, Dr. Navidi focuses on mind-body issues such as chronic pain, GI problems, and complex medical issues.
Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Summary Highlights
- 4:30 – Dr. Navidi discusses why he chose clinical psychology, his passion for treating mind-body issues, and how he found hypnosis as a means of treatment. There is a great deal of research and information on using hypnosis as a means of treatment, but very few have seen or understand the research.
- 9:20 – IBS was referred to as a “functional GI disorder.” Functional, meaning, we cannot find any reason for why it happens. The name has since been changed to a disorder of “gut-brain-interaction.” This is a much better name for it because functional implies there is not anything “wrong.” That is simply untrue and Dr. Navidi explains why.
- 11:10 – What is pain? Dr. Cecily prompts Dr. Navidi to discuss the correlation between pain and the brain. It is important to remember; just because there are psychological things you can do to help deal with your pain, it doesn’t negate the fact that the pain is actually there.
- 22:06 – What are the symptoms people come see Dr. Navidi for? Dr. Navidi provides an overview of some of the common symptoms patients have and provides specific examples of situations.
- 31:09 – Dr. Navidi discusses how he uses hypnosis, and discusses the difference between entertainment hypnosis and clinical hypnosis.
- 45:35 – Trauma can often play a large roll in terms of pain. Dr. Navidi discusses the impact of trauma on pain, using adverse childhood trauma as an example.