This interview is from the Like Mind, Like Body podcast. You can listen to the full interview below, on iTunes or Google Podcasts.
SHARE TO SPREAD HOPE FOR RELIEFRachel had an unconventional job: climbing trees for a living. But when her knee pain and shoulder pain start to spread throughout her body, she had no choice but to stop working for several months. Plagued by tingling in her arms, back pain, neck pain, chest pain, and an array of other symptoms, Rachel was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. After the drugs she was prescribed failed to make a difference, Rachel turned to yet another physician for answers. After two hours in the doctor’s office, Rachel emerged with a new understanding of what might be causing her pain. The next day, she turned to the Curable app to see what she could do about it.
Listen to hear the full story of how Rachel was able to take back control over pain, resolve nearly all of her physical symptoms, and return to the job she loves in the treetops.
Nobody could really tell me what was wrong, just to keep trying physical therapy, so I kept going to that. The chest pain kept coming back and going away but it seemed after every physical therapy appointment the shoulder issues got worse. Then I eventually got an MRI of my right shoulder, and it came back fine. They said there was absolutely nothing wrong with my shoulder. It showed no inflammation.
I think all of my doctors were really confused because my pain kept getting worse. My hands would go numb and tingle and it was pretty much an all day thing. My right arm was becoming really weak - I couldn’t even wash dishes anymore.
I had gone several months without climbing trees and only light duty at work. So I was getting very frustrated and not sure if I would ever get better. I ended up getting an MRI of my neck. When I told my doctor about the neck injury, he thought I might have a pinched nerve, but the neck MRI also came back fine.
So I was told to just take four weeks off of work, let my shoulder rest completely and see if it got better. I think it was three days into my four weeks off that my symptoms got much worse and started spreading. It was almost all of my joints, both of my shoulders, my knees, my ankle, the chest pain. I actually went to my primary care doctor and she tested me for autoimmune diseases since I had all over joint pain, muscle aches and weakness. I still wasn't really getting anywhere.
I went back to my physical therapist and asked her to work on my neck and my back, because I started having back pain too. Then I went back to my primary care doctor and she suggested it might be fibromyalgia. I had never heard of it before and went home and Googled it and got pretty scared at that point. Just a few days later I worked with my physical therapist again. She did some work on my neck and by the time I left I couldn’t even move my neck. I called off work and actually ended up not going back into work for two months after that appointment, because I was having so many issues. I couldn’t even do light duty at work.
My parents decided to fly me home and while I was home they got me an appointment with my old primary care doctor that I had seen when I was a teenager. I went in to see him to get another opinion, again, and this was actually kind of a turning point. My old doctor squeezed me in at the end of the day after his last patient left, and he sat down and talked to me for 2 and 1/2 hours.
CURABLE APP HAS HELPED MY FIBROMYALGIA PAIN!
"I was familiar with Dr. Sarno’s work on pain and was in the throes of fibromyalgia pain when I came across this app on FB. My pain is much reduced - I take ibuprofen at most once a day and sometimes less often. I can sleep at night without pain and I’m about to start going to the gym again. This app is worth checking out if you struggle to make it through the day because of pain even if you are also taking medication. It addresses the brains role in pain and can help you in managing it."
THIS APP SAVED MY LIFE
"I stumbled upon this app at the lowest point in my life (about two weeks after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia), and it changed everything for me. I had lost my job I had spent my whole life working towards and the ability to do any of the hobbies that made me happy outside of work. I can’t recommend this app enough. I have my job back. I have my life back. I am in better health physically and mentally than I have ever been before. It has completely changed the trajectory of my life and what I believe I can accomplish now that I don’t have the fear of chronic pain looming over me. Please, please, please give this app a try. I still have a monthly subscription even though I don’t need the app anymore. I do it simply to support this company that did so much for me. I promise it is worth every penny and more."
Life saving
"I’m not sure if I would have tried this app if I hadn’t been desperate, but I’m so glad I did. The lessons are curated wonderfully and explain scientific aspects clearly. I have been using the app for a few months now and have seen a remarkable change in my chronic migraines. While I wouldn’t say I’m cured, I think I’m headed in that direction, and I am so thankful."
I'm not alone!
"Curable has been amazing! I've suffered with fibromyalgia pain and fatigue for ten years, and this has been the first time I'm hopeful that I won't be struggling with pain for the next several decades of my life! My pain has been reduced and my energy level has drastically increased through the exercises and meditation. It has also been wonderful to listen to and be a part of a supportive community who understands the experiences I've had. I'm not alone!"
Great evidence based tool!
"I had read some of the mind body books out there, but only once I started using the Curable app did I make progress in resolving my migraines. I have felt so much stronger since going through the exercises. They are just the right length to do every day — plus they make it enjoyable. You owe it to yourself to at least try it — all you have to lose is pain’s hold on your life."
Incredible.
"Within a relatively short period of time working with Curable, I have drastically reduced full-body nerve pain symptoms that have mystified doctors for months. It sounds unbelievable, but the science is sound and these methods are absolutely worth a shot if you’re someone who suffers from chronic pain of any kind. I recommend skeptics listen to a few of the podcast episodes (particularly the ones with Alan Gordon and Tim Flynn) if they’re unsure whether their symptoms can be helped through cognitive work of this kind. The app is subscription-based, but it’s helped me more than all the other treatments I’ve tried—COMBINED. The price is pennies compared to the good it’s done for me and so many others. The developers have their hearts in the right place and know exactly what it’s like to live in pain. If you’re reading this and thinking to yourself, “I can’t stand placing my hope in another bust treatment idea”, please just give Curable a shot—it may turn out to be exactly what you need. Cheers!"
Curable has given me better pain relief
"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago and have tried different medications. Curable has given me better pain relief than the prescriptions ever did. I also suffer from migraines. I would get one every 1-2 weeks. Since using Curable, I made it 28 days straight without an attack. That included my period - which ALWAYS brought on an attack. I haven't had a period without a migraine in 20+ years. Curable gave me a migraine-free period!!! That's huge!!! I did have an attack recently, but I'm still encouraged and excited to stick with Curable and see how much more my overall pain issues improve."
A Must for Chronic Pain Sufferers
"I’ve been dealing with chronic pelvic pain for 15 years. 15 surgeries, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, physical therapy, too many drugs to count ... nothing helped. I’ve literally spent years in bed; lost my career, family, friends... And THIS has worked. I’ve reduced medications by 30% in less than a month & for the first time have hope of regaining a life. Cannot day enough for this philosophy and practical help offered by this site."
So Far...WOW!!!
"I’ve only had this app for a short time, and already I have learned so much about pain - the different types of pain, how we tend to amplify it through fear, anticipation and panic...But most important, I am learning how we all possess the ability to take control of our pain and even eliminate it. The tools and activities that are provided in the app are so productive, and already I have felt an improvement in my ability to calm myself down in the presence of pain. I’m looking forward to working my way through the many exercises and podcasts available in the app, in anticipation of taking even greater control of my pain. Also, the voice in the guided meditations is so pleasant and calming, something that is very important when trying to reach a state of relaxation. Thank you to all of the developers who created this app, it is empowering and so far, very helpful. If you are a chronic pain sufferer, fear your pain and want to take control of it, then this app is for you. You won’t be disappointed!"
Amazing app
"Fantastic program to tackle chronic pain. Has worked better than any book or online program I have tried. And the mix of testimonials, pain education, meditation, brain training, and visualizations keeps the program fresh and engaging. Thank you Curable team!"
Worth the effort
"After 20 years with ME/CFS and 10 years of chronic neck and back pain, I finally feel some improvement. I’ve been using the app for a month now and definitely notice lessening of various symptoms. It takes effort and willingness to go deep into yourself and really examine and release unnecessary patterns (emotional and physical). There is only upside potential if you’re willing to put in the effort. Highly recommend for anyone with pain, anxiety or any chronic unexplained physical symptoms."
Walks you through it all
"The mind body connection is so important to understanding why we have pain and how to cope with it. I am so impressed with the cofounder’s courageous journey to help themselves heal and share this with the world. This app is the future of pain management and takes you through an in-depth journey of understanding how we can help ourselves. The knowledge shared in this app goes far beyond what over a decade of doctors office visits provided me. It’s well worth the small fee considering the value you can gain having a tool like this to work with..."
Changed our lives 5++++ stars
"My 17 year old daughter has suffered from chronic pain her whole life, but 2 years ago she got caught in a pain cycle that she just couldn’t get out of. We tried ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING...multiple medications, 2 surgeries, IV infusions, holistic approach, acupuncture, meditation, special dentistry, allergy shots, and more. I literally can’t count the number of doctors visits we went to with little to no relief. She had to go on independent study her entire sophomore year of high school and would only come out of her room for 30 minutes at a time because of her constant, extreme pain. Then one day a family member who knew our story sent us a link to Curable. I sat in bed and cried when I read the stories that we so similar to my daughters. I started listening, and the Pain-fear cycle resonated so closely to how I know she felt. The biggest obstacle was giving her, yet another, possible solution to her pain. Hope is a very dangerous thing and we were both very wary, but she started listening and she agreed to try it. It wasn’t an immediate solution, but slowly but surely she began to gain control. She started to understand what triggered her headaches and made changes to her thought process about the pain. Fast forward to 1 year of Curable and I can truly say, LIFE CHANGING!!! She finished her junior year, learning to manage stress and pain and the highlight was that she went on a school trip to Iceland at the beginning of the summer (yes this is the girl who couldn’t come out of her room for more than 30 minutes). She hit the Panic button when she found out her hotel didn’t have darkening shades, which got her through! I am so grateful for Curable. I am an ER nurse, and so I take care of people in pain for a living. The opioid crisis is so very real and destructive and I watch it everyday. I regularly add information about the Curable App to people’s discharge paperwork explaining the benefits and how it helped my daughter. Thank you for making this app so accessible and I will continue to recommend it to anyone in chronic pain."
I feel a lot more in control of my pain now
"I was definitely a skeptic at first, but I'm so glad I gave this a shot. Not cured yet, but I've seen significant progress in just a couple of weeks. I feel a lot more in control of my pain now. If you're unsure like I was, the free trial is useful and I'd recommend listening to the podcast as well; it's very informative."
A personal smart coach that understands your unique pain patterns and tailors the Curable program just for you
The latest chronic pain neuroscience research in bite-sized audio lessons
100+ science-backed exercises designed to rewire your nervous system and reduce your symptoms
When pain persists, becoming “chronic,” it also becomes more complex. Modern pain research shows that psychological and emotional elements can play a major role. These non-physical components can help the brain “learn” to be in pain, re-wiring the body’s neural circuitry to perpetuate the sensation of pain.
With proper therapeutic attention the brain can "unlearn" pain, paving the way to physical pain relief. Research shows that methods like education, writing, meditation, visualization, and cognitive behavioral therapy can successfully help the brain to stop this recurring pain cycle.
Curable incorporates this modern research into easily accessible education and exercises that help you break the pain cycle and find relief from chronic pain.
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