In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones speaks with Coenie, an experienced osteopath, about his journey from traditional physical treatments to a deeper understanding of neuroplastic pain. Coenie shares insights on how pain is not just a physical issue but a complex interplay of emotional and social factors. He emphasizes the importance of treating the whole body and mind, integrating mindfulness and movement into pain management. The conversation also challenges traditional beliefs about pain and movement, advocating for a more holistic approach to healing. Coenie expresses his hopes for the future of pain management, aiming to educate practitioners and patients alike about the true nature of pain and the body's ability to heal itself. Takeaways Coenie transitioned from physical treatments to understanding neuroplastic pain.The body has the ability to heal itself; it's a self-regulating system.Over 90% of pain cases are related to neuroplastic pain.Chronic pain often has emotional and social components.Changing the language around pain is crucial for understanding.Strengthening the core and muscles is essential for injury prevention.Movement should not be feared; it is essential for health.Pain is not always linked to physical damage; understanding the mind-body connection is key.Practitioners need to provide hope and education to patients.A holistic approach to pain management can lead to better outcomes. Coenie’s Bio: I was born in South Africa but have been living in the UK since 2000. With a Master’s degree in Osteopathy and over 25 years of experience in movement, posture, and alignment—including teaching Reformer Pilates—I have dedicated my career to understanding pain, the body, and how we heal. Early in my journey, I focused on physical treatments, but over time, I realised that true, lasting recovery often lies beyond the physical. My own experience with injuries, as well as my extensive study of pain science, led me to adopt a more holistic, mind-body approach. Through neuroplastic pain treatments and the SIRPA (Stress-Induced Pain Recovery Association) Programme, I have seen first-hand how shifting away from purely structural treatments towards an evidence-based psychological approach can help people achieve lasting relief. As a SIRPA-certified practitioner, I specialise in helping people overcome persistent pain and other neuroplastic symptoms, whether they present as back pain, migraines, digestive issues, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, tinnitus, long COVID symptoms, or other stress-related conditions. My work is influenced by leading pain science experts, including Dr John Sarno, Dr Howard Schubiner, and Dr David Hanscom, whose DOC (Direct Your Own Care) Method provides a structured approach to rewiring neural pathways and addressing the mind-body connection in recovery. Coenie’s Links: www.osteopathybycoenie.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/coeniedegroot/ https://www.facebook.com/osteopathybycoenie instagram.com/coeniedegroot Dana’s Links: https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com Podcast Disclaimer: The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
