Psychedelics, Pain, and Other Chronic Conditions: Physical and Somatic Therapies

Join physical therapists Derek Green and Tim Evens and somatic therapist Valerie Brodbeck for an exploration of how psychedelics may help in the treatment of persistent pain and other chronic conditions.

We’ll discuss the neuroscience of neuroplastic pain, emerging research on psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA, and how these medicines can open windows for rewiring the brain’s pain pathways.

We’ll also cover related neuroplastic conditions like IBS, POTS, and trauma-related syndromes, and share practical approaches for preparation, integration, and working with the body during recovery.

Tim will share how these approaches can be applied to identity, performance, and pain in endurance athletes, exploring cultural differences in pain perception and the parallels between flow states in sport and psychedelic experiences.

Through personal stories, case examples, and therapeutic insights, we’ll highlight promising paths forward at the intersection of psychedelic-assisted care, somatic therapy, and physical rehabilitation.

The Speakers:

Tim Evens has been a DPT for 20 years and has a passion for understanding the complexities of pain and our relationship with our bodies. He comes from a past of competitive cycling and ultra distance trail running. He currently runs a small PT practice focused on helping patients understand how to be in harmony with their primal biology.

Derek Green has been a physical therapist for 15 years, specializing in spine and persistent pain—areas where a holistic, whole-person approach is essential. His work blends manual therapy, education, movement patterning, exercise/loading strategies, and mind-body/neuroscience-based treatments. Derek is excited about the potential of psychedelics in aiding the treatment of chronic pain states, and believes physical therapists can play a vital role in that process. He practices at Redbird Physio in Bend, Oregon.

Valerie Brodbeck is a somatic-based therapist who is passionate about working with individuals with chronic illness and pain. She has used pain reprocessing therapy in her own journey in recovering from Lyme disease and other chronic illnesses to go from fully disabled back to fully functioning.