David Hanscom | Mental Rigidity and the Hidden Ego | Aug. 19, 2026

Source: New Thinking Allowed with Jeffrey Mishlove youtube backincontrol.com



Description:
David Hanscom, M.D. is an orthopedic complex spinal deformity surgeon who quit his surgical practice in 2019 to focus on teaching people how to break loose from the grip of chronic mental and physical pain – with and without surgery.

His insights arose out of escaping from his own 15-year ordeal of suffering with severe chronic pain. As he began to share his approaches with his patients, a predictable sequence of learning evolved. It is reflected in the self-directed action plan that he created, The DOC (Direct your Own Care) Journey.

He is author of Back in Control: A Surgeon’s Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain; Do You Really Need Spine Surgery?: Take Control with a Spine Surgeon’s Advice; and Calm Your Body, Heal Your Mind: Transcend Pain, Anxiety, Anger, and Repetitive Unwanted Thoughts.

David explains how the ego is often a fragile story that is created in response to criticism, survival anxiety, and the need to feel safe. Many of these stories are cognitive distortions that can keep people trapped in repetitive unwanted thoughts, pain, and anxiety. He shares ways to soften the ego and move from surviving to thriving with flexibility, awareness, and compassion.
(Recorded on June 1, 2026)

Timeline
00:00 Introduction
02:48 Reasons for the ego
08:32 Defending the identity
14:03 Mental pain and cognitive distortions
25:40 Stress physiology
28:28 Thriving vs. survival
38:52 Awareness and attachments
47:05 Compassion focused therapy
53:33 Safety
56:19 Conclusion