Unpacking Pain

Unpacking Pain is a podcast about chronic pain - what causes it, how it affects our lives, and what we can do about it. Hosted by a pain scientist and a pain sufferer, it blends evidence-based science with lived experience to offer support, education, and empowerment. If you’ve ever felt unseen in your pain journey, know that you are not alone. Join us on Unpacking Pain as we peel back the layers of the chronic pain experience - where science meets story, and where knowledge opens doors to healing. Each week, Dr. Megan Steele, PT, DPT, PhD(c), and Holly Osborne, a chronic pain sufferer, sit down to explore the “three-legged stool” of chronic pain: the biological, psychological, and social. Together they demystify the science, share personal stories, and engage in candid conversations about the mind-body connection, treatment approaches, and the realities of living with and managing pain. What makes Unpacking Pain different is its unique yin-yang approach: Megan brings deep expertise in pain research and clinical practice, while Holly offers the raw honesty of 26 years of lived experience navigating chronic pain. Together, they create a space that is empathetic, candid, and enlightening. Topics include: - The neuroscience of pain and why it isn’t “all in your head” - Evidence-based pain management strategies that work in daily life - Practical strategies for coping and thriving with chronic pain - How stress, trauma, and emotions shape our pain journey - Stories of resilience, breakthroughs, and hope Whether you are living with chronic pain, supporting someone who is, or working as a health professional, this podcast offers insights that validate, educate, and inspire. Our goal is not just to explain chronic pain but to reframe it - making room for understanding, empowerment, and possibility. Your voice matters, we would love for you to send us your questions or share your story with us at unpackingpain@gmail.com. Together we can shed light on the realities of chronic pain, unpack the issues, and discover new ways forward. https://unpackingpainpodcast.com

Unpacking Pain is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Unpacking Pain, a education show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #3

  Unpacking: Chinese Medicine and the Role of Qi in Healing

  Aug 18, 20261h 5mS2

  What if pain relief isn’t only about fixing tissue, but also about restoring flow, energy, attention, and trust in your body? Acupuncture, Qigong, and physical therapy experts explore how Chinese medicine approaches chronic pain. Learn how qi is described in Chinese medicine, why “stuck” energy is often framed as a source of pain, and how practices like acupuncture and qigong aim to support healing by improving circulation, regulation, and resilience. The conversation also covers practical takeaways: how qigong can be adapted for different abilities, why consistency matters more than a quick fix, and how community and the patient–practitioner relationship can influence outcomes. Whether you’re new to Chinese medicine or looking for complementary tools alongside Western care, this interview offers a clear, grounded look at how people use these methods to manage chronic pain over the long term. Guest: Kirstin Lindquist , Business Owner, Acupuncturist & Intuitive Trainer Kirsten is a licensed acupuncturist (California Acupuncture License #4661) and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine with more than 30 years of experience helping people remove old patterns and reconnect with their true nature. Through acupuncture, qigong, and the teaching of intuition and personal energy management, she guides patients toward lasting health and personal transformation. Kirstin practices relational medicine, bringing deep presence and compassion to every patient interaction. She holds a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences and a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Stanford University. Today, she specializes in helping patients address metabolic health challenges - including high blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, and other cardiometabolic risk factors - using evidence-informed, natural approaches. Energy Matters, Website Energy Matters, YouTube Guest: Gail Whang , Teacher of Dayan "Wild Goose"​ Qigong Gail is a certified Dayan Qigong instructor and former educator who spent 30 years teaching in the Oakland Unified School District. After retiring, she discovered qigong—a practice that transformed her from a lifelong multitasker into a more mindful, balanced, and present person. Inspired by its profound impact on her health and well-being, Gail completed a year-long teacher training program at the Wen Wu School to become a certified instructor. Today, she is passionate about helping others experience the physical, emotional, and energetic benefits of qigong, empowering them to cultivate resilience, self-healing, and a more positive approach to everyday life. Gail Whang, YouTube 9-week Beginner Qigong Online Class Links to interesting things from this episode: “The Intriguing Health Benefits of Qigong” The Wall Street Journal “Qigong and Tai-Chi for Mood Regulation” “The Treatment of Depressed Chinese Americans Using Qigong in a Health Care Setting: A Pilot Study”

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  Episode #2

  Unpacking: The Nervous System's Role

  Aug 4, 202649 minS2

  Every pain you’ve ever felt is sent by, communicated through, or interpreted by your nervous system - so when pain becomes chronic, the nervous system often becomes the main story, not just the injured tissue. Dr. Megan Steele breaks down how the nervous system is organized (central vs. peripheral), why “fight or flight” isn’t the enemy, and what it really means to build a *flexible* system that can shift between activation and recovery. The conversation also unpacks central sensitization - when the alarm stays loud even after healing - and how stress, sleep, digestion, and past experiences can influence the body’s threat detection. You’ll also get clear guidance on a common internet claim: that trauma is “stored” in muscles and can be released through dramatic bodywork. Learn what’s supported, what’s risky, and what questions to ask any practitioner so you stay safe and supported. Links to interesting things from this episode: “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel van der Kolk WHOOP band Ōura Ring

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  Episode #10

  Unpacking: Your Chronic Pain Questions

  Apr 20, 202656 minS1

  Pain can show up even when scans look “fine,” and severe arthritis can exist with little to no pain - so what should you do when the usual explanations don’t add up? Holly puts Dr. Megan on the hot seat for a listener-driven lightning round, tackling five common questions people ask when they’re trying to make sense of chronic pain. Learn how to think about medication as a tool (and when it may be a bridge rather than the full plan), why “pain doesn’t equal damage” matters for recovery, and how to talk with partners, friends, or clinicians who focus only on the body when you’re trying to address the whole picture. The conversation also covers aging and pain - what’s normal, what’s not inevitable, and how to decide between continuing to pursue solutions versus practicing acceptance. To make the biopsychosocial approach more practical, Dr. Megan shares a simple place to start: tracking flare-ups with context (stress, thoughts, people, situations) to spot patterns your nervous system may be reacting to. Season one wraps with key takeaways and a preview of what’s coming next. Links to interesting things from this episode: Joshua Pate’s Research on Pain “You Can Heal Your life” by Louise Hay Bessel van der Kolk books “The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain” by Alan Gordon and Alon Ziv John E. Sarno books

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  Episode #9

  Unpacking: Surgery Day

  Mar 25, 202656 minS1

  If you’ve ever wondered why surgery can “fix” the structure but not always fix the pain, you’re not alone. Dr. Megan Steele and Holly Osborne explore what really influences surgical outcomes, especially for people living with chronic pain. Join them as they break down why pain isn’t purely mechanical, how your nervous system’s threat detection can shape recovery (even under anesthesia), and why scar tissue, stress, and past medical experiences can change the healing process. You’ll also hear practical ways to prepare before surgery - like prehab, planning for the hospital experience, and using calming strategies to dial down stress - plus realistic post-op considerations many people aren’t warned about, including digestion issues, brain fog, and why early movement matters. Along the way, they share a simple framework for evaluating newer procedures and what to ask a surgeon before agreeing to an approach that may not have a long track record. Helpful for anyone weighing surgery, supporting someone through it, or trying to make sense of why “successful” operations don’t always lead to relief. Links to interesting things from this episode: Waddell Signs

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  Episode #8

  Unpacking: Trust First, Treatment Second

  Mar 16, 20261h 7mS1

  In this episode, we discuss a personal experience involving violent assault, injury, and subsequent surgeries. Listener discretion is advised. If these topics are difficult for you, you may wish to skip this episode or listen when you feel supported. If you’ve had pain for years, you’ve probably been asked to summarize your whole story in minutes, and then felt the conversation rush straight to tests, protocols, and a “game plan.” That’s often where trust breaks, important details get missed, and you walk out feeling unseen. Here, you’ll hear what changes when the first goal isn’t to solve everything, but to create enough safety for the real story to emerge. Holly shares what it’s like to carry a long medical history alongside trauma, shame, and the pressure to “hold it together” in clinical settings. Dr. Megan Steele explains why open-ended questions, uninterrupted storytelling, and clear validation can be the difference between symptom management and meaningful progress - especially with persistent pain. You’ll come away with practical ways to: Prepare for appointments when your history feels complicated or hard to tell Ask for what you need (privacy, time, clarity) without it feeling difficult Notice when a provider is building trust or performing expertise Understand how trauma, stress, and beliefs can amplify pain over time Think about care as a partnership, not a performance or a test you can fail Links to interesting things from this episode: Marc R. Safran, MD “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay

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