This Might Hurt (Film)
What if the way we've been treating chronic pain has been wrong all along? That's the question at the heart of this extraordinary documentary — and the answer it offers is both radical and rigorously science-backed.
About the Film
This Might Hurt follows three chronic pain patients who have spent years searching for answers. Desperate for relief, they enter a new medical program — run by Dr. Howard Schubiner — that focuses on uncovering hidden causes of pain and retraining the brain to switch the pain off. Penguin Books
You'll recognize both Dr. Schubiner and Alan Gordon — the researchers and clinicians behind the Boulder Back Pain Study and Pain Reprocessing Therapy — as central voices in this film. It's the closest thing to watching their clinical work in real time.
The new paradigm for diagnosis and treatment explored in the film was found to be effective in several randomized clinical trials and was listed as a "best practice" by the HHS's task force to combat the opioid epidemic. Penguin Books
The Scale of the Problem
One in seven people around the world suffer from chronic pain, and nearly 80% of us will experience it at some point in our lives. The symptoms show up as back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and more. Standard treatments are often ineffective — and opioids, one of the main remedies, have made the problem worse. Penguin Books
What Critics Are Saying
"A must-see movie for chronic pain patients and their loved ones." — Dr. Charles Horowitz
"An essential documentary on the opioid crisis." — NBC Right Now Penguin Books
A Note from Eric
"Dr. Schubiner and Alan Gordon are two of the most important voices in chronic pain today — and both are central to the work we do at Santa Barbara Chronic Pain Solutions. I am personally certified through Alan Gordon, and this film shows exactly why this approach is changing lives."
How to Watch
This film must be purchased or rented to watch — and we think it's worth every penny. You can also rent or gift it to someone you care about.
👉 Stream, Rent, or Gift the Film
💡 A special note: After your initial consultation with us, ask about receiving a complimentary viewing code so you can watch This Might Hurt on us — our gift to you as you begin your healing journey.
