Finding Nervous System Regulation in this Political World, with Kristina Armenakis
Sean Hershey, LCSW | Gay Somatic Therapist NYC
Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain
Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify
Krisina Armenakis is a somatic coach. They help clients with chronic pain, chronic illness, and chronic stress. In Pain Reprocessing Therapy, we teach clients to feel safe. Safety, however, is a politicized concept. For those who struggle to feel safe, there are genuine reasons why. It’s validating to know: your body is not wrong.
In this Episode:
🔹 What is the nervous system? And what does nervous system “regulation” really mean?
🔹 Today, we discuss the nervous system responses: fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and dissociate. These are wise responses. They help you survive.
🔹 Regulation is about being flexible enough to respond to stressors and then to return to baseline. Regulation is not about being calm at all times. Quite the opposite.
🔹 You’re allowed to have fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and dissociate.
🔹 Then, the goal is to come back to baseline when the environment is safe again.
🔹 The environment, however, isn’t always safe. Our nervous systems are shaped by forces like racism, homophobia, transphobia, the climate crisis, wealth inequality, etc.
🔹 Therefore, healing is not individualized. Healing has to take the political and relational environment into account.
🔹 Safety is a politicized concept.
🔹 Today, we get deep into it.
This is a rich conversation about going beyond the “tools” and into a deeper understanding of nervous system regulation. Kristina discusses their thoughts about a nervous system working hard to survive difficult conditions. You’ll learn a lot today. You’ll feel validated today. You’ll enjoy this. You’re more than welcome to join us.
–
Find Kristina:
Kristina’s Website: kristinaarmenakis.com
–
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
–
Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms
–
…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.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.