Explore every episode of the podcast What's in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlife, Menopause & Pain: Why Everything Suddenly Hurts and What You Can Do About it. | 20 juil. 2026 | 00:26:10 | |
Midlife, Menopause & Pain: Why Everything Suddenly Hurts (and What You Can Do About It) Why do so many women notice new aches, headaches, joint stiffness, and persistent pain during midlife? Is it "just getting older," or is something else happening? In this episode of What's in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz, Doctor of Physical Therapy, expands on his recent discussion with physicians from Hospital for Special Surgery to explore why pain often changes during perimenopause and menopause. You'll learn how hormonal changes, sleep disruption, stress, decreased physical activity, and increased nervous system sensitivity all work together to influence pain—and why pain doesn't always mean tissue damage. Pete discusses:
Whether you're experiencing new pain yourself or you're a healthcare professional looking to better understand the unique challenges of midlife, this episode offers practical, evidence-informed strategies to help you move with greater confidence. Learn more about Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy: Explore more podcast episodes, articles, and educational resources: | |||
| Ménière's Disease: Vestibular Rehabilitation and Other Practical Treatment Approaches | 08 juil. 2026 | 00:27:33 | |
Ménière's disease is a complex inner ear disorder that can cause episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. While these symptoms can be frightening and unpredictable, there are many strategies that can help people better manage the condition and improve their quality of life. In this episode of What's in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz discusses what Ménière's disease is, how it is diagnosed, and why symptoms can vary so much from person to person. You'll learn about hearing tests, vestibular testing, medical management, and the important role of vestibular rehabilitation in helping patients regain confidence and improve balance. The episode also explores practical, evidence-informed treatment approaches including:
Whether you've recently been diagnosed, have been living with Ménière's disease for years, or are a healthcare professional looking to better understand current treatment options, this episode provides practical tools to help you navigate the condition. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your healthcare provider. To learn more about dizziness, vertigo, headaches, concussion, and persistent pain, visit PainandDizzy.com. If you're looking for one-on-one physical therapy for dizziness, vestibular disorders, concussion, headaches, orthopedic injuries, or chronic pain, visit DynamicSportsPT.com to learn more or schedule an appointment. | |||
| Somatic Tracking: A 5-Minute Guided Exercise to Calm Pain, Dizziness, and Other Symptoms | 30 juin 2026 | 00:10:01 | |
Somatic Tracking: A 5-Minute Guided Exercise to Calm Pain, Dizziness, and Other Symptoms In this special guided episode of What's in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz leads you through a simple five-minute somatic tracking exercise designed to help calm an overprotective nervous system. Somatic tracking is a core technique used in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and other mind-body approaches for persistent pain and symptoms. Rather than trying to ignore or fight uncomfortable sensations, you'll learn how to observe them with curiosity, reduce fear, and reinforce a sense of safety. During this guided practice, you'll:
This exercise can be practiced sitting, standing, or lying down and can be repeated whenever you need a few minutes to reconnect with your body in a safe and compassionate way. Remember, the goal isn't to eliminate symptoms immediately—it's to teach your brain that your body is safe, helping reduce unnecessary danger signals over time. If you find this exercise helpful, consider saving this episode so you can return to it whenever you need a moment to reset your nervous system. For more information about pain, dizziness, concussion, headaches, and physical therapy, visit PainAndDizzy.com or DynamicSportsPT.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may benefit from learning these powerful self-regulation techniques. | |||
| Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Diagnosis and Tools for Recovery | 08 juin 2026 | 00:21:51 | |
In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness, Pete Schultz, DPT, OCS, takes a deep dive into fibromyalgia — a chronic widespread pain condition that is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and frustrating for patients trying to find answers. Pete discusses how fibromyalgia is considered a clinical diagnosis, what symptoms are commonly associated with it, and why modern pain science now views fibromyalgia as involving a sensitized nervous system and altered pain processing rather than simply a muscle or joint problem alone. Topics covered in this episode include: • What fibromyalgia is and how it is diagnosed This episode emphasizes that fibromyalgia symptoms are real, that patients are not “making it up,” and that many people improve through a comprehensive approach that combines education, movement, nervous system regulation, and individualized care. Whether you are someone living with fibromyalgia, a healthcare provider, or a family member trying to better understand chronic pain, this episode provides practical tools and an evidence-informed framework for understanding and treating persistent symptoms. For physical therapy evaluations, vestibular therapy, concussion management, headache treatment, and persistent pain rehabilitation visit: www.DynamicSportsPT.com For more resources, podcast episodes, and education on pain, dizziness, headaches, concussion, and nervous system regulation visit: www.painanddizzy.com Disclaimer: | |||
| Understanding the Most Common Causes of Low Back Pain | 26 mai 2026 | 00:24:06 | |
In this episode of What’s in Your Head, Dr. Pete Schultz breaks down the different types of low back pain commonly seen in physical therapy — and why low back pain is often much more complex than people think. Pete discusses:
The episode also explores why imaging findings do not always match symptoms, why two people with the same MRI can have completely different experiences, and how physical therapists evaluate the multiple systems that can contribute to pain. If you are looking for a physical therapy evaluation for pain, dizziness, headaches, concussion, or vestibular issues, visit Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy: For more education and tools related to pain and dizziness: Disclaimer: | |||
| Vestibular Therapy for Post Concussion Symptoms: What it is and how it helps. | 04 mai 2026 | 00:21:41 | |
| Cervicogenic Headache and Cervicagenic Dizziness: Can my neck be causing headache and dizziness? | 27 avr. 2026 | 00:24:26 | |
Can your neck really cause dizziness or headaches? In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz, physical therapist, breaks down the topic of cervicogenic dizziness and cervicogenic headache—two conditions that can be confusing, frustrating, and often overlap with vestibular, migraine, and stress-related symptoms. You’ll learn how the neck, nervous system, balance system, and autonomic nervous system can all interact to create symptoms like dizziness, head pressure, neck pain, tension, and headaches. Pete also explains how these conditions are evaluated in physical therapy and the evidence-informed treatment strategies he uses in the clinic, including manual therapy, exercise, vestibular rehab, cervical proprioception training, biofeedback, self-regulation, and pain reprocessing strategies. If you’ve ever felt dizzy with neck tension, headaches after stress, or symptoms triggered by posture and movement, this episode can help you better understand what may be going on—and what can help. Disclaimer: Resources: Learn more about pain, dizziness, headaches, and recovery tools: Pain and Dizzy – www.PainandDizzy.com | |||
| Special Episode: Guided Affirmations Practice for Pain and Dizziness | 13 avr. 2026 | 00:09:08 | |
In this special episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness, Pete Schultz, DPT, OCS, walks you through a simple, practical tool you can use when pain or dizziness starts to increase. This guided affirmation exercise is designed to help regulate your nervous system by providing consistent signals of safety to the brain. When symptoms ramp up, the nervous system can become more protective and sensitive—this exercise combines paced breathing with targeted affirmations to help reduce reactivity and turn the volume down on symptoms over time. Pete also shares how he personally uses this tool at the early stages of a pain flare-up to help manage intensity and feel more in control. This is a short, 5-minute guided practice that you can return to anytime you notice symptoms increasing or as part of a regular routine to support nervous system regulation. Disclaimer: Learn more / Connect: | |||
| What is Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness PPPD and what to do to resolve it. | 30 mars 2026 | 00:29:26 | |
Episode 10: What is Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) and How to Resolve It Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is a common but often misunderstood condition that can develop after a vestibular event like BPPV, vestibular neuritis, concussion, or vestibular migraine. Even after the initial issue improves, people are often left with ongoing dizziness, imbalance, and sensitivity to motion or busy environments—despite normal testing. In this episode, we break down what PPPD actually is, why it happens, and how the brain and nervous system can get stuck in a maladaptive pattern. We also walk through practical treatment strategies, including vestibular rehabilitation, nervous system regulation, graded exposure, and the role of neck mobility in recovery. If you’ve been told everything is “normal” but you still feel off, this episode will help explain why—and more importantly, what you can do about it. Learn more and access tools: Interested in a physical therapy evaluation: Disclaimer: | |||
| Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Persistent Pain and Dizziness | 09 mars 2026 | 00:22:53 | |
Episode 9: Pain Reprocessing Therapy Chronic pain and persistent symptoms can be incredibly frustrating—especially when medical testing doesn’t clearly explain what you’re feeling. In this episode of What’s in Your Head, Dr. Pete Schultz discusses Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and a core technique called somatic tracking, a tool designed to help retrain the nervous system when pain persists beyond normal tissue healing. Pain Reprocessing Therapy is a neuroscience-based approach that helps people understand how the brain and nervous system contribute to persistent pain and symptoms. While injuries and tissue damage can trigger pain initially, the nervous system can sometimes remain in a heightened protective state even after the body has healed. In this episode, Pete explains:
Pain Reprocessing Therapy does not suggest pain is imaginary. Instead, it treats pain as a real protective signal from the nervous system that, in some cases, can be retrained through education, awareness, and targeted tools. If you’re dealing with chronic pain, persistent dizziness, post-concussion symptoms, migraine, or other ongoing conditions, understanding how the nervous system influences symptoms may provide an additional pathway toward recovery. Learn more about physical therapy assessment and care at: Explore tools and resources—including a guided Somatic Tracking exercise—at: If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a 5-star review so more people can discover the podcast. Disclaimer: | |||
| Hip and Knee Replacement: How to Know When it's the Right Time! | 24 févr. 2026 | 00:40:26 | |
Hip and knee pain are some of the most common reasons people seek medical care, and many are told early on that they’ll eventually need a joint replacement. Imaging often shows arthritis or “bone-on-bone” changes, but those findings alone don’t determine when surgery is truly necessary. In this episode, Pete Schultz Doctor of Physical Therapy breaks down what hip and knee osteoarthritis actually is, why pain doesn’t always match the amount of joint damage, and how to think through both non-surgical and surgical options. We’ll discuss functional limitations, quality of life, and why the decision to move forward with a hip or knee replacement should be based on how much your symptoms interfere with your daily life — not just what an X-ray or MRI shows. We also review joint-preserving options, different types of hip and knee replacements, and common situations where surgery may be necessary sooner, such as advanced joint collapse, fractures, or structural complications. This episode is designed to help you better understand the decision-making process and feel more confident having informed conversations with your healthcare team. Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information discussed reflects general principles and may not apply to every individual. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific condition or treatment options. Learn More 🌐 Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy 🎧 What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness | |||
| Migraine Beyond Medication: A Multi-Systems Approach | 17 févr. 2026 | 00:31:35 | |
Episode Title: Episode Description: Migraine is not just a headache — it’s a complex neurologic condition involving the nervous system, sensory processing, and multiple body systems. In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz, physical therapist, goes beyond medication and explores where conservative, non-pharmacologic strategies fit into modern migraine care. Medications can be helpful for many people, but a significant number of individuals continue to struggle with persistent symptoms, frequent attacks, and disability. This episode focuses on the additional contributors that influence migraine outcomes and why a multi-systems approach is often necessary. This discussion is grounded in both clinical experience and current evidence, including a peer-reviewed article co-authored with colleague Scott Siverling that outlines a multimodal, conservative framework for treating migraine from a physical therapist’s perspective. In this episode, Pete discusses:
This episode is designed to help patients and clinicians better understand migraine and expand the toolbox for managing symptoms and improving quality of life. For more information on migraine, pain, dizziness, and nervous system health, visit www.PainAndDizzy.com To schedule a physical therapy evaluation for headache, migraine, concussion, dizziness, or persistent pain, visit www.DynamicSportsPT.com Disclaimer: Reference: | |||
| How to use Biofeedback for Pain and Dizziness | 09 févr. 2026 | 00:42:20 | |
Episode Summary In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz breaks down what biofeedback actually is—and just as importantly, what it isn’t. Biofeedback is not the treatment. The real treatment is still things like breathing, muscle relaxation, visualization, meditation, and mindfulness. Biofeedback simply shows us how the nervous system is responding to those tools, moment by moment. And that matters—because when the nervous system can see what it’s doing, it learns faster. In this episode, Pete explains:
Pete also walks through how biofeedback is used clinically and shares real-world examples from his practice. At the end of the episode, Pete teaches a guided box breathing exercise—a simple, practical self-regulation tool you can use with or without biofeedback equipment—to help calm and regulate the nervous system. Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individualized care from a qualified healthcare professional is important for addressing pain, dizziness, headaches, or neurological symptoms. If you’re looking for a physical therapy evaluation or treatment, visit https://www.DynamicSportsPT.com | |||
| Concussion: What's Actually Happening and How To Completely Recover. | 02 févr. 2026 | 00:39:49 | |
Episode 5 — Concussion: What’s Actually Happening and How to Fully Recover In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness, Pete Schultz, Doctor of Physical Therapy, breaks down what a concussion really is — and just as importantly, what it is not. Concussions are common in sports and everyday life — car accidents, falls, hitting your head, or even sudden force to the body. Yet many people are told to “just rest and wait,” even when symptoms linger for weeks or months. In this episode, we explore why that approach often falls short. You’ll learn:
Most importantly, this episode emphasizes an empowering message: Concussions are highly recoverable when managed correctly. If you or someone you care about is dealing with ongoing concussion symptoms — headaches, dizziness, brain fog, light sensitivity, or exercise intolerance — understanding what’s driving those symptoms is the first step toward recovery. 🔗 Helpful Links Schedule a Physical Therapy Concussion Assessment: Learn more about pain, dizziness, and nervous system health: ⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. Information discussed in this episode should not replace individualized evaluation or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. If you are experiencing concussion symptoms or ongoing concerns, please seek appropriate medical care. | |||
| Vertigo or Dizziness? Understanding BPPV and How To Fix It. | 25 janv. 2026 | 00:25:28 | |
Have you ever rolled over in bed, looked up, or laid down — and suddenly the entire room started spinning? In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz, Doctor of Physical Therapy, breaks down one of the most common — and most misunderstood — causes of vertigo: BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). BPPV can feel intense and alarming, often sending people to urgent care or the emergency room fearing something serious is wrong with their brain. The good news is that BPPV is not life-threatening, it’s very common, and when identified correctly, it’s highly treatable. In this episode, you’ll learn:
This episode focuses on helping you understand what’s happening in your body — and reassuring you that vertigo is often a mechanical problem, not brain damage or something dangerous. If you or someone you care about has experienced spinning, dizziness, or balance issues, this episode will help you better understand what’s going on and what actually helps. 🔗 Helpful Links Schedule a Vestibular Therapy or Physical Therapy Appointment: Learn more about pain, dizziness, and the nervous system: ⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing, worsening, or concerning symptoms, please consult a qualified healthcare professional for individualized evaluation and treatment. | |||
| Understanding The Different Types of Headache | 20 janv. 2026 | 00:32:57 | |
In this episode of What’s in Your Head, we take a deep dive into the different types of headaches — and why understanding them matters. While many people think “a headache is just a headache,” different headache types reflect different patterns in the nervous system. Migraine, tension-type headaches, cervicogenic headaches, post-traumatic headaches, neuralgia, and new daily persistent headaches all present differently and often respond to different treatment approaches. We’ll break down the key characteristics of common headache types, discuss why headaches can persist even when imaging looks normal, and explore evidence-based, non-pharmacological strategies that can help calm the nervous system. In this episode, you’ll also learn practical tools including progressive muscle relaxation, lifestyle regulation, movement, and biofeedback approaches that can support headache recovery — especially when symptoms are being driven by nervous system sensitization rather than tissue damage. This episode is designed to help you better understand your symptoms, reduce fear, and begin shifting your system toward safety and regulation. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information shared is not a substitute for individualized evaluation or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. If you are experiencing headaches, migraines, dizziness, or other neurological symptoms, please consult with a licensed healthcare provider for personalized care. Helpful Links 🧠 Learn more about pain and dizziness education and resources: 🏃♂️ Schedule a physical therapy appointment at Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy: | |||
| How the Autonomic Nervous System Drives Pain and Dizziness | 12 janv. 2026 | 00:33:14 | |
Episode 2 — How the Autonomic Nervous System Drives Pain and Dizziness https://www.dynamicsportspt.com/ follow link to schedule an appointment for physical therapy. https://painanddizzy.com/ follow link for more information on pain and dizziness. Episode 2 — How the Autonomic Nervous System Drives Pain and Dizziness In this episode of What’s in Your Head?, Dr. Pete Schultz explains how the autonomic nervous system plays a powerful — and often overlooked — role in persistent pain, dizziness, headaches, and other unexplained symptoms. The autonomic nervous system controls things like heart rate, breathing, blood flow, digestion, muscle tension, and sensory processing. Its job is to keep you safe. But when it begins to interpret normal life, stress, or past injury as danger, it can shift the body into a protective state that produces very real symptoms — even when no tissue damage is present. Using clear, relatable examples and the latest neuroscience, Pete walks you through how this protective response can amplify pain signals, create dizziness and lightheadedness, tighten muscles, disrupt breathing, and heighten sensitivity throughout the body. You’ll learn why so many people feel stuck, fragile, or “on edge” — and why those sensations are not a sign that something is broken. Most importantly, this episode introduces a simple, evidence-based way to start sending safety signals back to your nervous system so it can begin to calm down and allow symptoms to ease. Using extended exhale breathing and physiologic sigh Pete shows how to start regulating the Autonomic Nervous System. If you’ve been searching for answers to ongoing pain or dizziness that don’t show up on scans or tests, this episode will help you finally understand what your body is doing — and how to work with it instead of fighting it. 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. | |||
| Why Pain Persists | 05 janv. 2026 | 00:23:50 | |
https://www.dynamicsportspt.com/ To schedule a physical therapy appointment https://painanddizzy.com/ To learn more information on Pain and dizziness or email painanddizzy@gmail.com Why Pain Persists 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:
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. | |||
| Welcome to The What's In Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness Podcast Trailer | 05 janv. 2026 | 00:02:20 | |
https://painanddizzy.com/ To learn more information on Pain and Dizziness or email painanddizzy@gmail.com https://www.dynamicsportspt.com/ To schedule a physical therapy appointment Have you ever struggled with pain, dizziness, or headaches that "look normal" on medical tests but still feel debilitating? Many individuals suffer from symptoms that persist long after they should have resolved, leaving them feeling lost in the medical system. The Science-Backed Approach: With over 20 years of experience helping thousands of clients, Dr. Pete Schultz explores why symptoms persist within the nervous system. This podcast isn't about saying "it's all in your head"—it’s about understanding how your brain and body constantly interact. What You’ll Gain: Each episode provides practical, evidence-based tools that you can use to calm your nervous system and feel stable again, including:
The Mission: Whether you are a person experiencing pain, an athlete, clinician, or simply someone trying to feel better, this show provides the modern science needed to change your mindset and reclaim your health. The information shared on this podcast 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. | |||