What's in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness

Peter Schultz PT, DPT
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Medicine

What’s In Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness is a podcast about pain, dizziness, headaches, stress, and symptoms that don’t always make sense — and what to do about them. Hosted by Pete Schultz, PT, DPT, a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 20 years of experience, this show is for anyone who’s been told “everything looks normal” but still doesn’t feel like themselves. If you’re dealing with persistent pain, dizziness, headaches, post-concussion symptoms, or stress that lingers longer than expected, you’re not broken. Each episode explores why symptoms persist, not just in the body, but throughout the nervous system, and how the brain and body constantly interact. Using modern, evidence-based approaches — including pain reprocessing, somatic tracking, mindfulness, self-regulation exercises, biofeedback, neurofeedback, vestibular rehabilitation, and movement-based therapies — Pete shares practical tools he uses every day with clients. Every episode includes tools you can actually use to calm the nervous system, reduce pain, improve balance and stability, and feel more confident in your body. This podcast isn’t about saying “it’s all in your head.” It’s about understanding how your nervous system, musculoskeletal system, vestibular system, and visual system work together — and how to work with them more effectively 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.

  1. 16h ago

    Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Diagnosis and Tools for Recovery

    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  • Common symptoms including widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, dizziness, and “brain fog”  • Central sensitization and how the nervous system can become overly protective  • The difference between tissue damage and pain sensitivity  • Why imaging and lab tests are often normal  • The biopsychosocial model of chronic pain  • Pain neuroscience education and understanding pain as protection  • Physical therapy approaches for movement, strength, mobility, and graded exercise  • The role of sleep, stress, autonomic nervous system regulation, and pacing  • Biofeedback and self-regulation tools to calm the nervous system  • Mindfulness, somatic tracking, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy concepts  • Graded exposure and returning to feared or avoided activities safely  • Why recovery is usually multifactorial rather than one single treatment 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:  This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

    22 min

  2. May 26

    Understanding the Most Common Causes of Low Back Pain

    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: Lumbar disc herniationsSciatica and lumbar radiculopathySpinal stenosisLumbar strains and sprainsSegmental stiffness and hypomobilitySI joint and lumbar instabilityPars fractures in adolescent athletesChronic and neuroplastic low back painThe 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: https://www.dynamicsportspt.com For more education and tools related to pain and dizziness: https://www.painanddizzy.com Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding medical concerns or symptoms.

    24 min

  3. May 4

    Vestibular Therapy for Post Concussion Symptoms: What it is and how it helps.

    What's in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness

    22 min

  4. Apr 27

    Cervicogenic Headache and Cervicagenic Dizziness: Can my neck be causing headache and dizziness?

    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: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for individualized evaluation or treatment. If you are experiencing dizziness, headaches, neck pain, or other concerning symptoms, consult with a licensed healthcare provider. Resources: Schedule a Physical Therapy or Vestibular Evaluation: Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy – www.DynamicSportsPT.com Learn more about pain, dizziness, headaches, and recovery tools: Pain and Dizzy – www.PainandDizzy.com

    24 min

  5. Apr 13

    Special Episode: Guided Affirmations Practice for Pain and Dizziness

    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: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Please do not perform this exercise while driving or in any situation that requires your full attention. Learn more / Connect: To learn more about pain and dizziness  www.PainandDizzy.com To schedule a PT or Vestibular Evaluation  www.DynamicSportsPT.com

    9 min

  6. Mar 30

    What is Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness PPPD and what to do to resolve it.

    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: 👉 https://www.painanddizzy.com Interested in a physical therapy evaluation: 👉 https://www.dynamicsportspt.com Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult with a qualified healthcare professional for an appropriate evaluation and treatment plan.

    29 min

  7. Mar 9

    Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Persistent Pain and Dizziness

    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: The difference between structural pain and neuroplastic (persistent) painWhy pain can continue even when imaging or exams don’t show major structural damageHow the nervous system functions as a protective alarm systemResearch supporting PRT, including the Boulder Back Pain StudyHow somatic tracking helps reduce threat signals in the nervous systemWho may benefit most from these approachesPain 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:  https://dynamicsportspt.com Explore tools and resources—including a guided Somatic Tracking exercise—at: https://painanddizzy.com 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: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific medical condition or concerns.

    23 min

  8. Feb 24

    Hip and Knee Replacement: How to Know When it's the Right Time!

    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 https://www.dynamicsportspt.com 🎧 What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness https://www.painanddizzy.com

    40 min
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What’s In Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness is a podcast about pain, dizziness, headaches, stress, and symptoms that don’t always make sense — and what to do about them. Hosted by Pete Schultz, PT, DPT, a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 20 years of experience, this show is for anyone who’s been told “everything looks normal” but still doesn’t feel like themselves. If you’re dealing with persistent pain, dizziness, headaches, post-concussion symptoms, or stress that lingers longer than expected, you’re not broken. Each episode explores why symptoms persist, not just in the body, but throughout the nervous system, and how the brain and body constantly interact. Using modern, evidence-based approaches — including pain reprocessing, somatic tracking, mindfulness, self-regulation exercises, biofeedback, neurofeedback, vestibular rehabilitation, and movement-based therapies — Pete shares practical tools he uses every day with clients. Every episode includes tools you can actually use to calm the nervous system, reduce pain, improve balance and stability, and feel more confident in your body. This podcast isn’t about saying “it’s all in your head.” It’s about understanding how your nervous system, musculoskeletal system, vestibular system, and visual system work together — and how to work with them more effectively 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.

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