S6 E1 | From "Failed" Shoulder Pain Surgery Patient to Neuroplastic Psychotherapist with Jess Freedman, LMSW

Jess Freedman is a mindbody psychotherapist and the cofounder of Rewire NYC (the New York ATNS Chapter). Jess has recovered from a plethora of neuroplastic symptoms, the most difficult of which was chronic shoulder pain. She shares her journey from very severe symptoms to a long recovery to becoming a therapist who helps others with chronic pain. Jess is a fellow theater kid, so we have a good time today. We laugh, we bond, Jess even likens herself to a stuffed chihuahua in a vest (see pic). You're more than welcome to join the fun. You’re not gonna wanna miss this one.

In this Episode:

🔹 Jess shares the many, many symptoms with which she’s struggled over the years.

🔹 She details her journey out of severe, daily shoulder pain.

🔹 She was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and had clinical findings on her MRI to support the diagnosis.

🔹 She had surgery with a premier surgeon in Boston, and the pain still didn’t resolve.

🔹 She hit her rock bottom, ended up in the ER for a panic attack, and was seriously evaluated for a stroke because she couldn’t speak.

🔹 After that harrowing trip to the ER, Jess had a moment of clarity. She somehow knew “you are meant to have a good life.”

🔹 Then she found this.

🔹 It turns out, the Thoracic Outlet findings were normal abnormalities. After doing this work, Jess now lives chronic-pain-free.

🔹 Jess also gives us insight into her practice as a neuroplastic therapist, discussing how she’s moved away from dogmatic certainty, smugness, and theoretical rigidity… towards a healing practice that’s more trusting of the self, trusting of the body, and tailored to each individual.

Jess pulled a card the morning of the podcast interview (cuz why not) and shared it with us: “You’re Not For Everyone: Face Your Wierdness, Face Your True North.”

Period. It’s the perfect message for healing chronic symptoms. Join us for a fun and very informative discussion.

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Find Jess:

Jess’s Psychology Today

Jess’s Substack

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Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

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Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

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Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Info on Ehlers-Danlos and POTS: Gigi Cockell and Dan Buglio, Grace Secker and Sean Hershey

The Way Out by Alan Gordon and Alon Ziv

The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller

The Wounded Healer | This Jungian Life Podcast

Trauma Therapy: What It’s Really Like with Dr. Jacob Ham and Elizabeth Ferreira | Being Well

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…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

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