Migraine Healing Oasis
Migraine Healing Oasis is a podcast offering information, support, and practical strategies for reversing migraine pain, grounded in the science-backed MindBody Connection approach. Host Karen Ash, ACC, lived with chronic migraine for 34 years before discovering the work of Dr. John Sarno, Nicole Sachs, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Alan Gordon, and the Curable App, which taught her how stress and unprocessed emotions can dysregulate the nervous system and trigger pain. She explains how the brain produces pain as a protective response, and shares how to retrain it for sustainable relief. While the techniques apply to other MindBody chronic pain conditions, the show focuses on building a community for the more than a billion people living with migraine. Episodes aim to help listeners gain more pain-free days, one episode at a time.
Episodes
Ep 26. Dr. Michael Dow | How PRT Changed This Clinician's Practice — and Healed His Own Migraines
Send us Fan MailDr. Michael Dow on healing migraines and his work with PRT, EAET, Stress, and Relational SoothingPsychotherapist Dr. Michael Dow shares his recovery from chronic weekly headaches and vestibular migraine symptoms that began around 2014 and worsened during COVID while he managed a high-stress integrated health clinic in the Boulder, Colorado area. He describes how mindfulness trainin
Ep 25. Dr. Howard Schubiner: The Real Cause of Migraine and How You Can Unlearn Your Pain
Send us Fan MailIf you're looking for real migraine relief, this conversation reframes everything you've been told.In this episode I talk with Dr. Howard Schubiner, an internist, paediatrician, researcher, educator, author, and clinical professor at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. We talk about migraine through a neuroplastic pain lens and insights from his new
Ep 24. Complex Emotions on Mother’s Day
Send us Fan MailMother’s Day can bring a mix of emotions. This year, I'm navigating my first without a mother, and it's been complicated.In this episode, I talk about how this holiday can be painful and emotionally complex for many people for a variety of reasons. There can be conflicted feelings underneath—resentment, tenderness, guilt, shame, love, and grief—emotions that can coexist
Ep 23. 7 Less Migraine Days Per Month! - EAET for Migraine - New Study Results
Send us Fan MailWhat if expressing avoided emotions could actually reduce migraine?That's exactly what the research is starting to show — and in this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dan Kaufmann, research assistant professor at the University of Utah and a scientist who went from developing pharmaceutical compounds for migraine prevention to exploring how unresolved emotions and adverse life exp
Ep 22. Chelsea's Healing Journey - Migraine Relief After 45 Years!!
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Chelsea Emery, shares her inspiring journey of overcoming chronic migraines and other neuroplastic symptoms through a mindbody healing approach. Despite suffering from migraines for 45 years, Chelsea managed to drastically reduce her symptoms by exploring alternative health measures and eventually embracing the Curable App's mindbody tools and other journaling
Ep 21. Are You Prepared for a Medical Emergency? 6 Lessons Learned the Hard Way
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we dive into a personal medical emergency I experienced this past week, highlighting the importance of preparedness. From the sudden onset of severe abdominal pain to navigating the emergency room, I share practical lessons and steps to be better prepared for unexpected crises, especially when living alone. 00:00 Introduction and Recent Events 01:30 Medical Emerg
Ep 20. How Hydration Supports Brain Retraining & Chronic Pain Recovery
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore a new perspective on the often-overlooked importance of proper hydration. Going beyond the usual advice of drinking water, we delve into how consistent hydration supports the body's physiology, enhances healing in a biopsychosocial context, and helps maintain a sense of safety for the brain (aka brain retraining). The episode also provides practical
Ep 19. The Healing House Story: A Metaphor for Your Healing Journey
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we delve into a unique metaphor for healing: the Healing House. Join me to discover the 3 main 'Rooms' of the Healing House that make a big difference in our healing. I'll walk you through the rooms of Education, Perceived Danger, and Perceived Safety - with it's connecting rooms called Nervous System, Emotions, and Power. You'll discover
Ep 18. Migraine Relief is Possible, What About Migraine Recovery?
Send us Fan MailIn honour of Chronic Illness Recovery Day, let's talk about what recovering from migraine looks like. The discussion emphasizes the fact that recovery is unique to each of us. I talk about what recovery means to me, the importance of seeing recovery through a wider lens, The key components of recovery (including three key questions to ask yourself and Dr. Schubiner's 7 F
Ep 17. Do You Have Chronic Migraine? That Depends Who You Ask — Mindbody vs. Traditional Medicine
Send us Fan MailAre your symptoms “chronic”? What does that even mean—and why does it matter? In this video, we unpack the difference between the traditional biomedical model and the mindbody (biopsychosocial) approach to defining chronic migraine. I'll breifly touch on what neuroplastic pain is, how nervous system dysregulation plays a role, and why persistence—not frequency—is the key fact
Ep 16. Anna's Healing Journey:"100% Imperfectly Recovered" from Chronic Migraine and Stepping into Visibility
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, host Karen Ash welcomes Anna Holzman—a licensed psychotherapist, certified life coach, and expert in nervous system healing, trained in Somatic Experiencing, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, and Nonviolent Communication. Over the past five years, Anna has helped hundreds of people heal from chronic pain by rewiring their nervous systems and reclaiming their innate resili
Ep 15. Lessons from My Extended Sick Leave: What Helped Me Heal from Burnout and Chronic Migraine
Send us Fan MailJoin me as I reflect on the five-year journey since I went on sick leave due to all of the physical and cognitive effects of burnout, and other chronic pain and symptoms. In this episode, I dive deep into the lessons learned about self-awareness, what was under my perfectionism, the forms of stress I didn't recognize, and the importance of self-compassion through it all. I sha
Ep 14. Genetics Of Migraine: Epigenetics Tells Us - You Are Not A Prisoner Of Your Genes!
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I share how the false belief that my genetic makeup had sealed my fate deeply affected my life choices. We’re often told that migraine, depression (a common sidekick to chronic pain), and other dis-eases are due to our genetics. But decades of research in epigenetics have shown that while certain genes can be activated, they can also be silenced—essentially turned
Ep 13. Processing Shame: A Path to Emotional Healing that Aids the Healing of Chronic Pain & Symptoms
Send us Fan MailWelcome to Series on Emotions! In this episode, I look at an often-overlooked emotion of shame and its impact on our mental and physical well-being. I share insights from a recent coaching session that included a powerful technique called the 'Three Rs' method (Recognize, Reflect, Redirect) to reframe thoughts and beliefs. There are many similar techniques with different
Ep 12. Now What? 4 Tips to Begin Healing Chronic Pain & Symptoms Through the Mindbody Connection
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I take you one step further, using what you already know from the previous episodes on mindbody connection, and giving practical steps and insights to get you started on the healing journey to alleviate chronic pain. Drawing from my personal healing journey, I share what I would do differently if I started over, emphasizing the importance of assessing if your sympt
Ep 11b. Understanding the Mind-Body Connection: How Thoughts & Emotions Affect Physical Health & Vice Versa (Part 2 of 2)
Send us Fan MailWelcome to Part Two! Today, we’re diving deeper into the fascinating topic of the mindbody connection. In this episode, we explore how the mindbody connection contributes to symptoms and what cutting-edge fMRI technology reveals about how the brain processes acute (short-term) versus chronic (long-term) pain. Discover a third classification of pain, known as nociplastic or neuropl
Ep 11a. Understanding the Mind-Body Connection: How Thoughts & Emotions Affect Physical Health & Vice Versa (Part 1 of 2)
Send us Fan MailWelcome to Content Series 1! Today, I'll delve into the fascinating topic of the Mindbody Connection. In Part 1, discover how mental states like worry, sadness, and anger manifest in physical symptoms. I'll explain the intertwined nature of our thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations and why recognizing this connection is crucial for overall well-being. Learn about the
Ep 10. Self-Compassion: A Powerful Healing Tool for Chronic Pain Relief and Overall Wellbeing
Send us Fan MailJoin my insightful conversation with Sally Tether (a friend, and former chronic migraine sufferer) as we delve into the importance of self-compassion in the chronic pain journey and everyday life. We explore how adopting a kinder, gentler, and understanding approach toward oneself can significantly impact chronic pain and overall well-being.Most of us already have the skills needed
Ep 9. Managing Holiday Stress: A Mindbody (TMS) Approach to Staying Migraine & Symptom-Free this season
Send us Fan MailJoin me in this episode as we discuss the joys and challenges of the holiday season, specifically focusing on how to handle the potential stressors that may arise. We explore various strategies to anticipate and manage stress, maintain mindbody health, and prevent flare-ups of chronic pain symptoms. Learn the importance of preparation, boundary setting, self-care, and specific tool
Ep 8. Body Scan Meditation
Send us Fan Mail**** DON'T LISTEN WHILE DRIVING!! ****Regulating your nervous system and sending signals of safety to the brain are essential steps toward reducing—and even eliminating—neuroplastic symptoms like migraines. This Body Scan Meditation offers a tool to help you soothe your nervous system, practice mindfulness, and tune into the messages your body is sending. By listening regular
Ep 7. Are you worrying yourself sick? The effects of worry on the body (with tips to stop ruminating)
Send us Fan MailThis video addresses the detrimental effects of chronic worry on the nervous system, emphasizing its role in its potential to cause various health issues. I discuss the importance of normalizing worry while highlighting the dangers of prolonged rumination. The video offers insights into the science of worry, the negative bias of the brain, and techniques for managing worry effectiv
Ep 6. The Hidden Truth Behind MIGRAINE TRIGGERS: A New Perspective for Migraine RELIEF
Send us Fan MailJoin me as I talk to Sally Tether about our experience with Migraine Triggers and the new approach that has helped us both to radically reduce our migraines!You will gain insights from the shift in perspective taken in the healing journey of 2 FORMER Chronic Migraine Sufferers. We discuss all of the things we felt triggered us, the extremes we went to to control them, the influenc
Ep 5. MindBody Healing - Many Names For the Same Concept (TMS, MBS, PPD, PDP, etc.)
Send us Fan MailJoin me as I discuss the complexities of the various MindBody healing terminologies with Sally Tether. Stemming from pioneers like Dr. John Sarno, we discuss others who are now carrying on his work and putting their own terminology in place. The discussion includes different terms like TMS (Tension Myositis Syndrome), MindBody syndrome-disorder-condition, Perceived Danger Pain (
Ep 4. Does Time REALLY Heal All (Emotional) Wounds?
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore the widely accepted notion that "time heals all wounds." I reflect on how I once believed in time's healing power, and how that belief has evolved with a deeper understanding of the MindBody connection.If you currently have the impression that time has been working just fine for you to bury the past, I'd gently ask if you have Nocipla
Ep 3. My Story – MindBody Healing Ended Chronic Migraine & Brought Me Back To Life!
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I share my personal journey from daily headaches in my teens to chronic migraines as an adult, and from their onset to discovering and implementing MindBody healing techniques for relief. I’m transparent that the road was not always a straight one. I talked about taking two steps forward and one back, but the reality is that I sometimes took many more steps back th
Ep 2. Sally’s Healing Journey – From Chronic Migraine to Enjoying Life!
Send us Fan MailI’m joined by Sally Tether, who shares her journey of healing from chronic migraine pain through MindBody techniques. Sally takes us through her 31-year experience, from childhood headaches to chronic migraines in adulthood. We discuss her various treatments, medication overuse, and the profound impact of finding the right resources. Sally reveals how journaling, and mindset shifts
Ep 1. A MindBody Healing Approach to Migraine Pain Reduction
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I’ll explain how migraine pain can be triggered by our current (and past) stress and emotions that create tension within our bodies, dysregulate the Nervous System, and send danger signals to the Brain, which then triggers pain. It is this MindBody approach to chronic pain reduction I used to end my chronic migraine after 34 years of suffering! You’ll learn how &
