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.
Sondermind - https://www.sondermind.com/
Complex PTSD Book - https://amzn.to/4ubUr3L
Holistically Treating Complex PTSD Book - https://amzn.to/4rk3Q6O
IG Post on Veterans Stress and Suicide - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUBSK_WAMGN/

***AFFILIATE LINKS - I earn a small commission for any purchases through these links that help support the show****

Microphone I use - https://amzn.to/3UsTJ2W
Boom arm for microphoe - https://amzn.to/4bs7zZs
Audio interface/mixer - https://amzn.to/42qTPd4
What I use to record my podcast - https://modernpaincare.com/riverside
What I use to live stream - https://modernpaincare.com/ecamm
What camera I use - https://amzn.to/3HKZilv
What lens I use - https://amzn.to/3HNdJWi
What lights I use - https://amzn.to/49kjvdQ
My teleprompter - https://amzn.to/49lhZrJ
Teleprompter screen - https://amzn.to/42opNqz
Streamdeck XL - https://amzn.to/4bqs7S4
Streamdeck + - https://amzn.to/3SIuFna
Wireless mics I use - https://amzn.to/3Sr4Mqv

📸 - Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modernpaincare/

🐦 - Follow us on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/modernpaincare/

🎙️ - Listen to our Podcast - https://www.modernpaincare.com

____________________________________
Modern Pain Care is a company dedicated to spreading evidence-based and person-centered information about pain, prevention, and overall fitness and wellness