Neurosurgeon’s Protocol to Feel Better Now: The Best Ways to Heal Your Body & Live Pain Free

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Mel interviews Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and medical expert, about his new book, "It Doesn't Have to Hurt." They discuss the differences between acute and chronic pain, the surprising prevalence of chronic pain, and the exciting new research on how the brain processes pain. Dr. Gupta explains that chronic pain is often linked to "baggage" such as depression, anxiety, and poor sleep, and that addressing these issues can be key to pain management. He introduces the MEAT protocol (Mobilize, Exercise, Analgesia, Treatment) as an alternative to the traditional RICE approach for acute injuries and shares insights on how to retrain the brain to experience pain differently, including the benefits of meditation and virtual reality. Dr. Gupta emphasizes that while structural issues should be addressed, movement and addressing underlying emotional and lifestyle factors can significantly reduce chronic pain.