This Might Hurt is a hopeful, thought-provoking film that provides an alternative look at chronic pain. The film takes place in Southfield, Michigan, which is a surprise to me. I am intrigued that a mind/body connection doctor is only an hour away. I am also captivated by the idea of a natural approach to pain reduction. Written, produced, and directed by Marion Cunningham and Kent Bassett, the film is available for at-home screening.
The film begins with a reunion of Dr. Howard Schubiner’s first group of participants who worked through the program of how to release the mind of its pain producing patterns. I am hooked within the first five minutes and cannot look away for the next 80 minutes. The participants represent various parts of my life experience including pain, fatigue, headaches, and decreased ability to work. The participants also represent other experiences I do not encounter such as daily pain killers including narcotics and over-the-counter medications to attempt to alleviate the pain.
Dr. Schubiner shows the ways our emotions affect pain including back pain, fibromyalgia, knee pain, and neck pain. Many sufferers try medications or surgeries to reduce pain, but these can lead to long-term side effects. Dr. Schubiner’s approach aims at treating the emotional cause of the pain, which is not an easy task, but one this group of nine decides to tackle.
The participants include those who have a variety of pain experiences such as localized pain and all-over body pain. The participants have been to multiple doctors, but no known cause has been determined. Dr. Schubiner does his own examinations on participants to determine if there is an undiscovered physical cause of pain such as a pinched nerve or a tumor. If no physical cause is found, he recommends his four-week course on unlearning the ways the brain projects emotions as pain into the body. Dr. Schubiner bases his program on Dr. Sarno’s research surrounding the mind/body pain connection.
Dr. Schubiner reminds this course is not for everyone, but for those who decide to participate, he sifts through the person’s history to determine if/when a traumatic incident and unprocessed emotions have left pain imprints in the body. The film intimately looks at three participant’s journeys with this process. I enjoy viewing each individual’s process and learning ways to navigate my own journey.
The film shows the way Dr. Schubiner safely guides the participants through the maze of their past as they work together to release suppressed emotions. As viewers, we see how suppressing past hurts, traumas and events often trigger years of chronic pain. This point made me realize I was trained to suppress my emotions and I wonder what effect this suppression has on my pain.
The participants talk through these events with each other and learn how to express deeply buried emotions. Viewers feel part of this group therapy experience as the camera angles keep us up close and personal to the participants. I see their tears, sweat, and hope as they cling to this new treatment for pain relief. I identify with different parts of everyone’s story and when I understand the emotions and pain connection for them, I realize it may be the same for me.
Participants are challenged to journal, meditate, and perform activities such as yoga to help release emotions. At first, participants endure an increase in symptoms as their brain and body fight the experience, but as they adapt to expressing their emotions, we celebrate the way their pain and medications decrease. In addition, we get a peek into the lives of the caregivers, supporters, family, and friends surrounding the participants. Chronic pain is challenging for all those involved.
The film addresses criticisms of Dr. Schubiner’s approach to pain as many doctors argue that pain must have a physical source. However, Dr. Schubiner provides an example of a fractured bone and how pain is expected until the bone heals, but when the pain lingers after the healing, something other than a broken bone may be causing the pain. Emotions are one valuable place to look for pain. The program is also challenged to include a mental health therapist, and in future groups, one is included. I agree with that decision as diving into past trauma may lead to unexpected places best navigated by a professional therapist.
The idea that pain is all in our head may not be easy to grasp, but if one feels their pain is even partly the result of unexpressed emotions, seeking out therapy or a doctor who is trained in mind/body, or emotional awareness and expression therapy, EAET, may be a positive step. EAET is recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a pain management process to combat the opioid epidemic.
By the end of this film, I realize I can reduce some of my chronic pain by expressing my emotions instead of stuffing them. The pain becomes a warning I am not being a genuine person, something I pride myself on being, but that also means I must feel safe expressing emotions such as anger, hurt, guilt and fear. The participants learn to express their emotions and experience pain reduction- the film’s message is that simple. Since this is a natural approach, I highly recommend viewing this powerful film if for no other reason than to know you are not alone in this journey.
For more information or resources visit www.ThisMightHurtFilm.com
Lisa M. Wolfe-Gawel is a philosophy master’s student, mother of two, avid hula-hooper, and enjoys life with two non-apparent disabilities. She is the author of six fitness books, two fiction novels and one children’s book. When she is not working, studying, or hooping, Lisa spends time with her family and her pets. Lisa can be reached through her website.
*Audio Narration Coming Soon