My Recovery from Chronic Pain & Neuroplastic Symptoms

How the symptoms developed

In 2014, a year into full-time practice as a family physician, I developed repetitive motion pain and weakness in my arms. Blaming my rapid-fire computer documentation while seeing patients every 20 minutes and responding to messages and test results “in-between,” I coped over the ensuing years by gradually decreasing my work hours from 60 hours per week to 35 per week, using auto-click & dictation software, and doing gentle strength training. About a year-and-a-half into the Covid pandemic, my pain became unrelenting and I had to leave work without advance notice. Wondering how I could ever work again in any capacity, I then developed heart palpitations and difficulty swallowing. Over 8 years, I saw 22 health practitioners for all these conditions. In addition to traditional medical practitioners, I saw a mental health counselor, a naturopathic physician, a chiropractor, and two Chinese Medicine doctors, but found no hope for healing.

How I got better

A year after leaving work, I continued to be disabled and set up appointments for surgical consultation for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Luckily, before taking desperate measures, I happened to learn from an acquaintance about the neuroplastic paradigm of pain & chronic stress-related symptoms, not traditionally taught in medical school. After watching free videos on Dr. Howard Schubiner’s website, unlearnyourpain.com, my arm pain was 80% gone the next day. Dr. Schubiner’s explanation of the neuroscience filled in my gaps of understanding, and I knew I was on the path to recovery. I used the techniques of Pain & Symptom Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy (EAET) to heal my arm pain, palpitations, and swallowing difficulty over a few weeks. At times, symptoms may return at a low level, but I listen to what my body is trying to tell me and adjust life accordingly. I now use these skills to help others heal their own chronic symptoms.