24. Thriving with Chronic Pain with Beth Darnall, PhD

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Beth Darnall, a pain scientist at Stanford, discusses managing chronic pain, particularly within the context of hypermobility disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Dr. Darnall emphasizes that pain is a comprehensive experience influenced by physical, emotional, and mental factors, and advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to pain diagnosis and treatment. She highlights the importance of sleep as a predictor of daily pain levels and discusses the value of behavioral therapies and self-management strategies in empowering individuals to manage their pain better. Dr. Darnall also explains how tension and stress can exacerbate pain and discusses techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy for achieving better pain management. The conversation underscores the necessity of proactive, daily strategies in managing chronic pain beyond sporadic medical consultations.