In this episode of The Mindful Movement in Motion podcast, I join host Les Raymond for a conversation about the neuroscience of pain and the surprising role that emotion, trauma, and movement play in how we experience it.

We explore why pain isn’t always tied to injury, how emotional history can shape physical symptoms, and what modern neuroscience suggests about effective, non-opioid pain treatments—including oxytocin and ketamine.

In today’s conversation, we explored how Mark’s path weaves together neuroscience, bodywork, and a deep inquiry into what it means to touch, heal, and relate. We discussed how his early fascination with human behavior led him to neuroscience, and how a later immersion into massage revealed dimensions of psychological and relational change that traditional explanations couldn’t fully capture. Mark shared insights on interoception, the role of C-tactile fibers in creating felt safety through human touch, and how neuroscience reframes concepts of trauma, posture, and therapeutic presence.

In this episode, Whitney Lowe and Til Luchau welcome Dr. Mark Olson, a neuroscientist and massage practitioner, for an engaging conversation about the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, trauma, and massage therapy. Dr. Olson shares insights into the complex processes of pain perception, the role of descending modulation, and how manual therapy can create lasting impacts beyond any tissue effects.