The Mind-Body Code to Beating Chronic Pain -Dr. Jorge Esteves

Описание: Is chronic pain really “in the body”… or in the brain’s predictions about the body?
Today on the Crackin’ Backs Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jorge Esteves, PhD, DO—an osteopath, educator, and researcher whose work reframes low back pain, sciatica, and other MSK issues through the lens of predictive processing, active inference, and interoception. Dr. Esteves explains why pain is more than a physical signal: it’s shaped by mood, memory, context, and environment—and how the right mix of smart touch, simple movement, precise language, and meaning can rewrite faulty predictions and dial down threat in the nervous system.

We explore what he calls “smart touch”—the affective, well-timed, well-paced contact that improves therapeutic alliance, entrains breath and rhythm, and helps the brain feel safe enough to update its story about the spine. We also unpack fresh imaging work suggesting hands-on care can influence connectivity in pain and interoceptive hubs, including the insula—right where body-signal meaning is made. You’ll leave with a 5-minute daily recalibration (breath cue + one gentle movement + one self-touch drill) to keep predictions aligned with reality—especially during a flare.

Dr. Esteves is Portuguese and has held academic and research roles across Europe, including positions linked with Atlântica University (Lisbon, Portugal) and the University College of Osteopathy (London), while leading work that reconceptualizes osteopathic care under (En)active Inference. His international footprint makes this episode a must-listen for clinicians and patients from Lisbon to Porto, the Algarve, and beyond who are searching for evidence-informed, person-centered strategies for chronic pain relief.

What You’ll Learn

Pain ≠ damage: Why back pain often persists due to over-protective predictions and how to nudge them toward safety.
Smart touch, real change: How affective touch, pacing, and breath cues shift interoceptive processing and calm threat.
Therapeutic alliance matters: The first 10 minutes that build trust—and the phrases clinicians should avoid because they raise threat.
Brains on hands-on care: New imaging insights on how manual therapy may modulate brain connectivity in chronic low back pain.
Learn More / Contact Dr. Esteves

Official site: https://www.osteojorge.com/
Google Scholar (Atlântica University, Portugal): https://scholar.google.com/citations?...
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/... ResearchGate
(En)active Inference paper (open-access): https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/...
Email (from CV): [email protected] Pro Osteo
LinkedIn:   / dr-jorge-esteves-27371522   Pro Osteo
Twitter/X:   / jesteves_osteo   Pro Osteo