Healing through Understanding and Action

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Dr. David Schechter, a pioneer in the practice of Mind Body Medicine. He shares the approach he uses with patients suffering from chronic pain. He outlines his treatment approach which involves a lengthy interview with the patient to get a fuller understanding of their context, followed up by providing them with a customized resource guide to help them better understand the nature of chronic pain and the role they play in the healing process. The elements of healing involve establishing trust with the physician, calming the nervous system and engagement with the healing process. Dr. David Schechter graduated with a degree from Princeton University. While a medical student at NYU in the early 1980's, he was first exposed to a stress related disorder-- his own! After successful treatment as a patient of Dr. John Sarno, he performed a telephone follow up study, in Dr. Sarno’s office. In addition to his new book, The MindBody Workbook, Volume Two, Dr. Schechter is the author of Think Away Your Pain, The MindBody Workbook, and the MindBody Workbook for Teens. The first two are home educational materials for stress-pain and functional disorders. The last is an educational tool for adolescents to help deal with and prevent these disorders. He is a co-author of A Diagnostic Guide For Psychophysiologic Disorders. Dr. Schechter is Treasurer, Board of Directors, Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDassociation.org), a non-profit dedicated to educating the public and health care professionals about PPD. He is in private practice in Culver City, California and also sees telemedicine patients, from around the US and other countries as well. For more information, visit: https://www.mindbodymedicine.com/