How to outsmart pain with your brain + body

I came across a powerful piece recently—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon and CNN medical correspondent, just released a deeply human-centered exploration of chronic pain.

His new work, It Doesn’t Have to Hurt, reshapes how we think about pain—and how we feel about it.

He shares a personal story: caring for his mother after a spinal injury gave him new insight into how pain can hijack not just a person’s body, but their identity, and even reach into the hearts of families.

It’s a reminder: pain isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, social, and psychological all at once.

Here’s where it gets fascinating:

Gupta shines a light on the brain’s ability to soothe pain.

Through mindfulness, meditation, movement, acupuncture—and even the reassuring touch of a loved one—our brains can tap into their own opioid systems.

That means powerful, non-drug relief, backed by neuroscience.

This perspective really resonates with me because it’s exactly the kind of work I do every day with clients—whether in yoga therapy or Movement Rx group virtual sessions, Mindful Movement classes, or one-on-one Movement Momentum sessions.

We use gentle, intentional movement, awareness of breath, and simple practices to help the body release tension and the mind find calm.

Over and over again, I see people discover more ease in their bodies—not because the pain magically disappears, but because they learn how to work with their bodies instead of against them.

What I love about Gupta’s approach is that it validates what many of us already experience: connection, awareness, and small daily practices matter.

They’re not “woo-woo”—they’re science, and they’re accessible.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of pain—whether it’s chronic back pain, arthritis, or that vague ache that just won’t go away—this conversation is worth your time.

​I highly recommend listening to the Fresh Air episode where Gupta delves into it all—pain origins, the mind-body connection, and compassionate, practical strategies. It’s a thoughtful, hopeful listen that might give you a new lens on your own journey.

And if you’re curious about how to explore these tools in your own life, you know I’d love to guide you—whether it’s joining a virtual class, trying a workshop, or working together one-on-one.

Let’s remember: pain doesn’t define you. It doesn’t have to hurt forever.

Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa


P.S., Watch “Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports: It Doesn’t Have to Hurt.” at 9 p.m. ET on September 7 on CNN.