What is pain? with Rachel Zoffness
Summary
Dr. Rachel Zofnis, a pain psychologist at UCSF, explains that pain is a biopsychosocial phenomenon constructed by the brain rather than just tissue damage. She uses the "pain recipe" metaphor to show how stress, sleep, and emotions amplify pain, while neuroplasticity offers hope for recovery. The episode covers practical tools like pacing and stress management to retrain the nervous system, emphasizing that understanding pain science empowers patients to reduce suffering and reclaim their lives.
Listen ad-free on Castria