Objectives Your brain memorizes every action you take, every second, to determine whether it is safe or threatening. It is how every living creature sustains life. The penalties in the wild are severe and swift, and humans are close behind. Repetition deeply embeds these circuits. Pain sensations are particularly problematic … Read More
Overview Clearly understanding the nature of chronic pain is critical in deciding whether to undergo spine surgery. Address all variables affecting your well-being. Surgery is just one tool. The decision comes down to two factors: the anatomy and condition of your nervous system. This navigation app will guide you through … Read More
David Hanscom, MD – Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, and David Elaimy – Elite Performance Coach In 2006, I engaged David Elaimy, an elite performance coach, as my surgical performance coach. As he coached my son, Nick, and his close friend Holt in competitive mogul skiing, I realized that surgery is also … Read More
Facing Anger is the tipping point in healing You can’t move forward while you are holding onto the past. You must learn to feel safe despite ongoing adversity. Don’t let your mind or your life bully you. During my 13-year journey out of chronic mental and physical pain, I had … Read More
Overview Healing happens as you learn skills to feel safe – regardless of circumstances. Navigating challenges is basic to staying alive. Why get upset when they arise? The bigger the stress, the greater the opportunity to practice your skills. Deal with it head-on instead of feeling sorry for yourself. … Read More
Overview Thoughts and viruses are inert and only active when they connect to live entities. Unwanted thoughts link up physiologically because we fight them. They become our identity (cognitive fusion), and we can’t differentiate unwanted thoughts from physical threats. Skills are required to separate you from your repetitive unwanted thoughts … Read More
Overview Professionals in any arena focus on learning and repetition to attain the highest skill level. Why not focus this level of energy for developing life skills – processing stress and nurturing joy? Efficienting overcoming challenges is critical to for success. Yet we often are upset by adversity. Embrace adversity … Read More
Overview Anxiety and anger are powerful physiological reactions to stress that compromise rational thinking. RUTs are driven by threat physiology, and it must be calmed down to meaningfully lower unwanted thoughts. As you calm your nervous system and feel safe, you’ll “wake up” and go from reaCtive to Creative. As … Read More
Overview Repetitive Unwanted Thoughts (RUTs) are a source of much misery. The harder you fight them, the stronger they become. Learn four aspects of solving them, and go on to thrive. RUTs are solvable by allowing your body to heal. I did not quit practicing spine surgery to manage chronic … Read More
KEY POINTS Our survival reactions and ongoing negative programming cause us to feel guilty and inadequate. The ego is dependent on others’ opinions, so it is incredibly fragile. We create our own “stories” about ourselves to feel better – it can’t and doesn’t work. As ego becomes more set in … Read More