This week’s special guest on the Hope Matrix is Dr. Raouf Gharbo, DO. Dr. Gharbo is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Specialist, and HRV Subject Matter Expert for pragmatic solutions. He has over 20 years of experience using hope methodologies to address chronic pain. 

In this week’s episode, Kathryn and Dr. Gharbo discuss the benefit of using hope skills to help foster resilience against the pain, hopelessness, and fatigue associated with chronic pain. Dr. Gharbo shares how Stress Skills, such as deep breathing and mindfulness, can help people with chronic pain release the energy associated with their worries about the future and focus on maintaining a trusting and hopeful mindset. He also addresses how Happy Habits, such as purpose and passion, can positively impact long term health, happiness, and physical success. 

To learn more about Dr. Gharbo’s research, you can visit his ANShealth Biography, or read his published studies here: Autonomic Rehabilitation: Adapting to Change, Untangling Chronic Pain and Hyperarousal with Heart Rate Variability: A Case Report, and HRV Biofeedback in Pain Patients (HRVB-PP).