The Myth of Normal (4/5): How to hack your brain when you're in pain | Amy Baxter
Summary
In this TED Health episode, host Shoshana Ungerleiter explores the concept of "normal" in medicine through a curated playlist of five talks. The featured segment includes Dr. Amy Baxter, a pain specialist who argues that pain is a complex survival system rather than a simple alarm to be silenced. Baxter discusses how the "pain-free" goal has led to opioid overprescription and shares practical strategies like vibration, cold, and cognitive distraction to manage pain. She emphasizes that understanding the interplay of physiology, fear, and control empowers individuals to take charge of their …
Topics discussed
Sponsor: WeShare Health
Sponsor: Kashi Gut Health Granola
Sponsor: Nature Raised Farms
Introduction: Rethinking 'Normal' in Health
Dr. Amy Baxter: Redefining Pain
The Flaw in 'Pain-Free' Medical Education
Case Study: The Opioid Crisis
Pain as a Survival Learning System
The Buzzy Device: Vibration and Ice
Gate Control Theory and Nerve Physiology
Distraction Techniques and Cognitive Hacks
Neuroscience: The Brain's Pain Symphony
Context, Expectation, and Brain Plasticity
Managing Fear and Gaining Control
Personal Story: Managing Burn Injury on a Plane
Opioid Risks and Alternatives for Recovery
Call to Action: Reframing Pain Management
Q&A: Pain Scales and Future Tech
Closing Remarks and Credits
Sponsors: Kashi, Capital One, Tony Told Me
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