The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW From the Vault: REAL TIME HEAL - Childhood Trauma, Back Pain, Depression, and More with Mariel
Feb 16, 2026
A powerful recovery story that turns into a live healing session exploring chronic pain's roots. They trace surgical cascades, herniated disc trauma, and how COVID worsened despair. Journaling uncovers childhood trauma, eating disorder patterns, and perfectionism tied to safety. Practical nervous system care, reframes for flare-ups, and steps for sustained change are highlighted.
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Surgery Chain That Began With A Foot Injury
- Mariel described plantar fasciitis, a wrong surgery, and repeated procedures that emotionally devastated her.
- The foot issue led to a severe herniated disc and urgent surgery that temporarily relieved sciatic pain.
Emergency Spine Surgery And Recovery
- Mariel had emergency spine surgery to remove disc material compressing her nerve and regained function.
- She retained some numbness but avoided worse paralysis after the operation.
Pain Can Return Despite Structural Fixes
- Nicole challenged the assumption that surgery resolved Mariel's pain permanently.
- She explained that nervous-system-driven pain can return despite structural fixes because of protective brain mechanisms.