164: Yoga Research & Neuropathic Pain: Expert Insights with Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH

Yoga can play a particularly powerful role in pain care, with the capacity to address both physical and psychological aspects of pain within a supportive social framework.

You’ll hear these themes woven through today’s conversation—between host Rachel and pain researcher and yoga teacher Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH—as Jennifer shares the details of her upcoming pilot study on yoga for pain management.

Jennifer outlines the biopyschosocial nature of pain, and the unpredictability of neuropathic pain in particular. She explains how nervous‑system‑informed yoga practices—paired with pain science education—can help reduce fear and build more easeful patterns of movement, and the role yoga can play in long‑term pain management.

“Yoga can target physical, psychological, and social aspects of pain at the same time.” — Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH

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“Movement, meditation, and community together make yoga an amazing intervention for people living with pain.” — Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH

Show Notes:

• The origin of Jen’s yoga for pain management pilot study [3:01]
• Barriers to accessing yoga for pain care [6:06]
• How yoga helps: through a biopyschosocial lens [12:15]
• Components of the pilot yoga program [16:19]
• Predictable sequences, trained teachers, planning for flare-ups, breath practices [27:18]
• The special challenge of neuropathic pain [38:27]
• Sharing pain science education is key [42:53]
• Sum up: movement & meditation, short & social [47:01]

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Nervous System & Restorative Yoga Teacher Training
• Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 15: Shifting Persistent Pain with Dr. Marnie Hartman
• Connect with Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH

“Helping people understand pain science changes the way they move—and the way they heal.” — Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH