What’s Actually Driving Your Chronic Pain, From A Pain Psychologist
Key takeaways
- Two extruded discs were pressing on my sciatic nerve, and I could barely walk.
- When I told this story to Rachel Zoffness, Ph.D., a pain psychologist and author of the new book Tell Me Where It Hurts, on a recent episode of the mindbodygreen podcast, she wasn't surprised at all.
- Zoffness has spent more than 30 years studying the neuroscience of pain, and her central argument is that what we've been told about pain is radically incomplete.
Why this matters: practical guidance grounded in recent research or expert insight.
Author: Jason Wachob June 28, 2026mbg Founder & Co-CEOBy Jason Wachobmbg Founder & Co-CEOJason Wachob is the Founder and Co-CEO of mindbodygreen and the author of Wellth.Image by Rachel Zoffness x mbg creative June 28, 2026About 16 years ago, an old basketball injury from my days at Columbia flared up. Two extruded discs were pressing on my sciatic nerve, and I could barely walk. Both doctors that looked at my MRI recommended surgery, but I was resistant. Instead, I tried yoga, made changes to my sleep, dialed in on nutrition, and reduced stress. After six months, I was healed completely.
When I told this story to Rachel Zoffness, Ph.D., a pain psychologist and author of the new book Tell Me Where It Hurts, on a recent episode of the mindbodygreen podcast, she wasn't surprised at all. She believes pain is caused by a larger variety of factors than what most doctors look at, and broke down the science behind why I was able to feel better after making lifestyle changes.
Zoffness has spent more than 30 years studying the neuroscience of pain, and her central argument is that what we've been told about pain is radically incomplete.