A new medical podcast is shedding light on neuroplastic pain and illness, conditions that affect an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide and account for four out of ten physician visits. Dr. David Clarke, president of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms, hosts "The Story Behind the Symptoms," the first podcast series featuring a doctor speaking publicly with patients about their unexplained symptoms.
The podcast addresses medical mysteries where patients experience pain or illness but doctors find no disease or injury to explain their symptoms. Dr. Clarke interviews patients to unravel these enigmas, looking for clues in their present and past experiences that can lead to chronic pain and illness. This approach mirrors his work with over 7,000 people throughout his career.
Neuroplastic symptoms include chronic primary pain anywhere in the body, migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, post-viral syndromes, and many other conditions. These are pathways in the brain and nervous system that are learned in response to stress, trauma, and adversity, often starting in childhood. When these patterns are uncovered and understood, this knowledge can lead to healing without invasive procedures or long-term medical treatment.
The Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports an evidence-based, biopsychosocial approach called Neuroplastic Recovery Therapy. This method is safer, more affordable, and more effective than traditional treatments for chronic pain, focusing on uncovering stress, trauma, and unrecognized emotion. Patients can access podcast episodes at https://symptomatic.me/podcast.
Dr. Clarke emphasizes that "Neuroplastic Recovery Therapy is the only treatment backed by gold standard science from randomized trials published in top medical journals like the American Medical Association Psychiatry journal." The therapy enables patients to take control of their symptoms without drugs, surgery, or expensive treatments.
In May, the association commissioned the first national survey on neuroplastic pain and illness, with full results to be presented at the ATNS 2025 National Conference September 28-30 in Boulder, Colorado. This research and the podcast represent significant steps toward addressing a global health crisis affecting millions who suffer from unexplained chronic symptoms.
