Chronic Pain Care: Why “Not Knowing” Makes You a Better Clinician

What if the best thing you could bring to a complex pain case… is curiosity instead of certainty?In this episode, Mark Kargela sits down with physical therapist and pelvic health specialist Faith Stokes to explore what trauma-informed, psychologically informed care actually looks like in practice. When patients present with persistent pain, grief, trauma, or complex comorbidities, rigid clinical labels and quick solutions often fail. Faith shares how clinicians can step back, regulate themselves, and create space for the patient’s story to guide care.

This conversation dives into practical ways to show up more human, grounded, and effective when treating messy cases that don’t fit the textbook.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why you don’t need to be “the expert” in the room
• How clinician nervous system regulation changes patient outcomes
• What trauma-informed care actually looks like during treatment
• How curiosity improves clinical reasoning in complex pain cases
• Why acknowledging a patient’s story can transform rehabilitation
• How to integrate psychological awareness without abandoning physical treatment

If you treat persistent pain, pelvic health conditions, or complex chronic cases, this conversation will change how you approach patient care.

Subscribe for more conversations on modern pain care, clinical reasoning, and treating complexity.

Explore the resources and programs mentioned in the links below. Link:

SondermindComplex PTSD BookHolistically Treating Complex PTSD BookIG Post on Veterans Stress and Suicide