Why Chronic Pain Persists—and How to Break the Cycle

In this episode, I sit down with Drs. Sahar Swidan and Matthew Bennett to explore why chronic pain is far more than a localized problem. We break down how inflammation, stress, hormonal imbalance, nervous system dysfunction, and poor sleep all feed persistent pain. Instead of quick fixes, we discuss whole-body strategies that restore resilience, empower patients, and support long-term healing through small, sustainable steps.Sahar Swidan is a PharmD, board-certified pain specialist, and international educator known for integrating Eastern and Western medicine to address chronic pain, inflammation, and nervous system dysfunction.Matthew Bennett is an orthopedic spine surgeon with decades of experience treating complex pain conditions, combining surgical expertise with whole-body, systems-based pain care.Together, they are co-authors of Mastering Chronic Pain and Advanced Therapeutics in Pain Medicine.Connect with Drs. Sahar Swidan & Matthew BennettWebsite: https://sahar.world/ Amazon: Mastering Chronic Pain: How Peak Resilience Unlocks Your Potential Advanced Therapeutics in Pain MedicineThis podcast is brought to you by Access Medical Labs. Claim 10% off your first invoice here: ⁦⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lp.accessmedlab.com/getstarted⁠⁠Connect with Dr. Ivan RusilkoInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drivanrusilko/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanrusilko/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DISCLAIMER: The content herein is for educational and entertainment purposes only, containing opinions of the participants, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for specific questions or concerns and dial 911 in case of a medical emergency. Never delay seeking nor disregard medical advice because of information shared herein.Please be aware that different healthcare providers may have varying approaches to lab testing and interpretation. The selection of specific tests, methodologies, and treatment recommendations can differ based on the provider’s training, experience, and the individual needs of the patient. Providers should always use their best clinical judgment when making decisions for patient care.MUSIC CREDITSIntro & Outro MusicSong: “Exciting” by HitsLabLicensed via: Envato ElementsLicense Code: FRDG5LAYC2Item URL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://elements.envato.com/exciting-CN8759T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠License Certificate: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drive.google.com/file/d/1alXX0Hc-ltCX8I3diCH9NfZmKSlgwQjJ/view?usp=sharing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Envato Support: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://help.elements.envato.com/hc/en-us/requests/new⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Song: “5 Please Don't Go”Artist: Alex MakeMusicVerification Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shazam.com/song/1714682478/5-please-dont-go⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Note: This track shows differing artist listings across platforms, and we are addressing this with licensing partners.----Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/⁠⁠