The Chronic Pain and Diet Culture Connection Nobody's Talking About with DK Ciccone, Author of You're Meant to Move

I'm joined by DK Ciccone — comprehensively certified Pilates instructor, pain reprocessing therapy practitioner, and author of You're Meant to Move — for a conversation that is both deeply personal and clinically rich. We talk about what chronic pain actually is, why so many people have been dismissed or mislabeled, and what it looks like to rebuild a relationship with movement that isn't driven by fear, punishment, or diet culture.This was originally a paid episode. Consider upgrading to a paid subscription to keep Full Plate going: https://abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode:DK's journey with chronic pain and her past as a dancerHow chronic pain forms and why the pain is real even in the absence of ongoing tissue damageThe nervous system science behind pain sensitization — and why catastrophizing physically amplifies painKinesiophobia: the fear of movement that develops after chronic pain, and how to work through itSomatic tracking and pain reprocessing therapy as tools for understanding pain signalsHow to explore the difference between pain and discomfortDK's "refuge and reach" framework for rebuilding a movement practice incrementallyExploring functional movement versus "exercise"The research debunking weight loss as a solution for chronic painWhy restriction and dieting actually increase chronic pain risk — and the clinical evidence behind itHow trauma and disconnection from the body compound the chronic pain experienceWhat embodied movement looks like when you're coming back from years of diet culture messagingAbout DK Ciccone: Dana Karen ("DK") Ciccone is a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor who helps people in pain improve strength, mobility, and well-being in a weight-neutral environment. She is trained in pain reprocessing therapy through the Pain Psychology Center and is the founder of Movement Remedies, a chronic pain–focused Pilates studio and movement coaching business. Her book, You're Meant to Move: A Guide to Conquering Chronic Pain, Increasing Stress Resilience, and Reclaiming an Active Life, was released in December 2023.Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe