Why Pain Persists: Pain Is Protection

In the first episode of What’s In Your Head, Pete Schultz, PT, DPT, introduces a new way to understand pain — one that goes beyond tissues, scans, and diagnoses.

Pain is real. But it’s not always a sign of damage.

In this episode, Pete explains how pain is a protective output of the nervous system, not a direct measure of injury. Using simple, relatable examples — from stepping on a nail to real clinical stories — he breaks down how the brain and nervous system decide when pain is needed, and why pain can persist long after tissues have healed.

You’ll learn:

• How the nervous system processes pain signals
• Why the brain weighs danger vs safety before creating pain
• How thoughts, past experiences, stress, and life context influence pain
• Why more tissue damage doesn’t always mean more pain — and less damage doesn’t always mean less pain

Pete shares powerful stories, including The Tale of Two Nails and lessons learned from working with amputees experiencing phantom limb pain, to illustrate how pain is shaped by both the body and the brain.

The episode closes with your first practical tool: identifying your personal danger thoughts and safety thoughts — a starting point for helping the nervous system turn the alarm down.

Future episodes of What’s In Your Head will dive deeper into evidence-based tools such as somatic tracking, self-regulation strategies, breathing techniques, heart rate variability, movement, and other approaches designed to create more safety in the nervous system and reduce persistent pain and dizziness.

Episode Disclaimer

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific condition or health concerns.