Holistic Pain Medicine—Personalized Approaches to Long-Term Pain Relief—Expert Interview with Dr. Simone Heymann

Dr. med. Dipl. Psych. Simone Heymann is a leading expert in pain medicine and neurosurgery. With her unique combination of medical and psychological expertise, she takes a holistic approach to the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Since 2010, she has headed the state-of-the-art and well-established practice for neurosurgery and pain therapy in Rothrist, where she cares for patients using innovative and interdisciplinary methods at the highest medical standard.

What particularly sets Dr. Heymann apart is her holistic view of the patient. Thanks to her thorough training in both neurosurgery and psychology, she transcends rigid disciplinary boundaries and takes into account factors in her diagnoses that are often overlooked. This enables her to treat even complex pain syndromes in a targeted manner and achieve remarkable therapeutic success. Dr. Heymann offers comprehensive pain management for a wide range of conditions. She treats the full spectrum of spinal disorders, pain syndromes, neurological conditions, and mental health disorders.

In her practice, Dr. Heymann relies on state-of-the-art methods of multimodal pain management. This approach encompasses highly intensive, interdisciplinary treatment strategies that combine conventional medicine with alternative and complementary therapies, as well as psychological support. Through close collaboration with specialists from various medical disciplines, she ensures optimal and individually tailored therapy for each patient. Dr. Heymann places the utmost importance on continuing education and evidence-based medicine. Her practice operates in accordance with international standards and strictly follows the guidelines of the Medical Center for Quality in Medicine.

She is also a member of renowned professional societies, including the German Spine Society, the German Society for Neurosurgery, the German Society for Pain Medicine, the Swiss Society for Interventional Pain Management, the International Association for the Study of Pain, and the Federation of Swiss Psychologists. Dr. Heymann knows that successful pain management goes far beyond medical treatment. She places great importance on building a trusting relationship with her patients, because lasting healing can only take place in an environment of safety and openness. With her empathy and many years of experience, she offers her patients optimal care—always with the goal of helping them regain a good quality of life.

The editorial team at Leading Medicine Guide had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Heymann about her holistic approach to treating patients with pain.

Pain is a complex and often distressing phenomenon that can significantly impair quality of life. It manifests in many forms, ranging from acute discomfort to chronic pain syndromes that affect patients for years. Pain patients face not only physical challenges but often psychological and social stresses as well. Successful treatment therefore requires a holistic approach that goes beyond merely treating symptoms. Modern pain management relies on interdisciplinary methods that combine medical, psychological, and alternative approaches to meet the individual needs of patients.

Pain can arise from a variety of causes that go far beyond acute injuries or traumatic events. 

“Pain is triggered by mechanical, thermal, chemical, or electrical stimuli. When tissue is damaged by these stimuli, it releases signaling substances that bind to specific free nerve endings—known as pain receptors—in the body and then release pain mediators. These are transmitted to the brain via electrical signals. The brain processes the pain signals: the pain is perceived, and its source is identified. Thoughts can also lead to a direct physical reaction: High arousal of our nervous system—for example, due to stress, anxiety, or negative thoughts—can trigger pain; this is then referred to as a somatoform pain disorder. Pain is the body’s warning signal, indicating that something is wrong. That is why they must be taken seriously—they are indicators of danger, illness, or overexertion. Everyone experiences pain with varying intensity, which is influenced by psychological factors. Pain can be classified into different categories depending on its cause. Nociceptive pain results from tissue damage caused by external factors such as inflammation or tumors, for example, wound pain or toothaches. Neuropathic pain arises from a dysfunction of peripheral or central nerve fibers, such as in polyneuropathy. Reflex pain arises from dysregulation or poor posture in a specific area of the body, such as back pain. Finally, there is visceral pain, which originates in the internal organs—the brain assigns this pain to specific areas of the skin or muscles, such as chest pain during a heart attack. “It’s important to emphasize that pain is not the enemy, but rather a warning signal from the body—an indicator that something is wrong,” explains Dr. Heymann at the beginning of our conversation.

Acute and chronic pain differ in several important ways, particularly in terms of their duration, cause, and the approach to diagnosis and treatment. 

“Acute pain occurs suddenly and is temporary. It lasts from seconds to a maximum of a few weeks and is linked to identifiable triggers. It results from tissue damage caused by injuries, such as sprains, broken bones, or burns. Chronic pain recurs repeatedly over a long period of time, lasting at least three months. On the one hand, it is the result of a long-term illness (e.g., rheumatism, circulatory disorders); on the other hand, it arises when acute pain has not been properly and effectively treated and then, over time, becomes chronic, so to speak: A hypersensitivity to pain—known as “pain memory”—develops in the nerve cells that transmit pain signals. Even mild stimuli, such as light touch, heat, or pressure, are then perceived as severe pain, even though the physical cause no longer exists. The pain itself has then become a disease. “According to current research, chronic pain is now considered a disease in its own right,” Dr. Heymann explains.

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In the treatment of acute pain—usually a consequence of tissue damage—the primary goal is to identify the cause and quickly relieve the pain, typically through pain medication, physical therapy, or, if necessary, surgical intervention. The treatment of chronic pain is more complex and requires a multimodal approach. 

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“If a patient has been suffering from pain for more than three months, we are dealing with a chronic pain patient. Of course, I conduct a thorough assessment of every patient’s condition. This involves a diagnostic evaluation that includes, in addition to a detailed medical history, a complete blood count, X-rays if necessary, and a comprehensive physical examination. I ask how many specialists the patient has already consulted and how long the patient has been seeing their primary care physician. “As a rule, I primarily treat patients with chronic pain, since patients with acute pain usually turn to their primary care physician or the hospital first,” says Dr. Heymann, adding:

“As the process continues, I discuss all the findings in detail with the patients, and we then work together to develop an individualized treatment plan based on an integrative approach to pain management. It certainly takes eight to nine months to achieve a good outcome, because psychological factors always play a role, and pain management treatments take time to be effective. I use a multimodal pain management approach, which means that various methods are applied simultaneously. These include, for example, medication regimens, intravenous infusions, injection therapies, neural therapy, interventional therapy, physical therapy, orthomolecular treatments, and psychological therapies. So this is a holistic approach that I implement together with the patients, and that simply takes time.”

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“The mind has a strong, positive side. It can help us cope better with pain and even alleviate it—for example, through hope, inner strength, or relaxation techniques. Our mental well-being is therefore a key factor in managing pain,” emphasizes Dr. Heymann.

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“Many patients are thrilled that they’re finally receiving holistic treatment at our practice—rather than, as is often the case, simply being prescribed medication and then having to wait for improvement. Often, they find that when pain relief doesn’t come, no clear diagnosis is made, and they’re ultimately told they’ll just have to live with the pain. I see it very differently. Pain has many different causes and manifestations—and I take every single one of them seriously. Patients greatly appreciate this comprehensive approach because they realize: We truly care about them. In our practice, we have various methods at our disposal that we can tailor individually to each situation. I’m not just a pain specialist—I also studied psychology and integrate that knowledge into my work. In addition, I use psychotherapeutic techniques, such as behavioral and talk therapy methods, hypnotherapy, and body-based approaches like laser and magnetic field therapy. These complement traditional medical treatments such as infusions or injections. In this way, we treat both the body and the mind simultaneously—and that is often the key to success. Patients feel that we take them seriously and accompany them on their journey. This sense of genuine care alone is often a major step toward recovery,” explains Dr. Heymann.

Pain management is a key component that incorporates psychological techniques such as relaxation training, mindfulness, and biofeedback. These methods help reduce stress levels and modify pain perception. 

“Many patients want holistic pain treatment, such as that offered in pain clinics based on the multimodal approach. The problem, however, is that there are often too few spots available there. Furthermore, while various specialists work with patients simultaneously, they must constantly coordinate with one another. This communication takes a lot of time—time that is often lacking in the day-to-day routine of a clinic. This can lead to misunderstandings. Even if their stay at the clinic goes well, many patients feel left on their own again after discharge. At home, they lack the network of therapists they experienced at the clinic. They don’t know who to turn to or what to do next. That’s why I consider good outpatient care to be particularly important—but it’s rare. In the outpatient setting, doctors often don’t work as closely together as they do in a hospital, simply because it’s difficult to find the time for such collaboration. In my practice, it’s different: I combine various specialties in one person. This means I can directly integrate psychological, conventional medical, and complementary medical approaches—without the need for additional coordination. This leaves more time to focus on the person at the center of it all: the patient,” says Dr. Heymann about her successful approach.

Numerous innovative developments and future trends are expected in pain medicine that could fundamentally change our understanding and treatment of pain. 

“The trend in pain treatment is clearly moving toward alternative and complementary medical methods. Many patients who come to me have already tried such methods—such as naturopathic approaches, orthomolecular medicine, phytotherapy, acupuncture, or meditative movement practices like qigong or yoga. What is often missing, however, is the connection to conventional medicine. Alternative methods are often used in isolation, without being integrated into a holistic approach. Yet it is precisely this combination that would be particularly effective. It also became clear at the most recent pain conference that many people are seeking such holistic approaches. Therefore, the integration of complementary therapies into conventional, multimodal pain management will be further promoted in the future,” explains Dr. Heymann, adding:

“The main problem, however, is that many of these alternative therapies are not covered by health insurance, which is why patients often have to bear the high costs themselves. About 20 to 25 years ago, I was already a strong advocate of alternative medical therapies and often combined them with conventional medical treatments. Back then, this approach was met with skepticism, and many wondered what the point of it all was. But with the rise of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, attitudes toward these methods have changed significantly. Today, their benefits are much more widely recognized. Acceptance of such alternative methods has grown significantly in the meantime. It is increasingly recognized that they not only benefit patients but also complement conventional medical treatment and can thus enhance the doctor’s success in treating patients.”

Acupuncture and neural therapy are now widely accepted, but there is still skepticism regarding other methods, such as laser therapy or orthomolecular therapy, particularly among colleagues. 

“Many consider these approaches to be nothing more than a money-making scheme, without understanding the scientific basis behind them. Orthomolecular therapy, for example, which is based on the use of vitamins and trace elements, does, however, have a clear scientific basis. It is well documented that deficiencies can lead to pain and other symptoms, yet this therapy is often still met with derision. Similarly, hypnotherapy is not yet fully recognized in some circles, but is increasingly being integrated. It is therefore strongly recommended that physicians in certain specialties pursue continuing education and incorporate such methods into their treatment plans, provided that time and practice structure permit. The problem is that while many naturopathic physicians are highly skilled in their field, they lack training in conventional medicine. On the other hand, there are also conventional physicians who lack the time and resources for additional training, even though this would be highly beneficial for patients. Another problem is that continuing education takes time, which poses a challenge in an often overburdened practice setting. In addition, doctors who pursue continuing education must be certified in order to integrate the new procedures into their practice. “These additional requirements can significantly alter patient care and scheduling,” says Dr. Heymann.

In her work, Dr. Heymann uses innovative methods such as VR (virtual reality) films, which not only convey visual impressions but also address a spiritual dimension that helps patients develop confidence and self-efficacy. She employs effective techniques such as affirmations and meditation with healing stones. Dr. Heymann encourages people to believe in their self-healing powers and to activate them through prevention and mindful self-care.

“I myself already use visual content such as VR films in my work. These films are not just documentaries; they also delve into the spiritual realm, which helps many people develop confidence and experience a sense of self-efficacy. Patients are motivated to participate in these exercises, and they enjoy completing tasks and engaging with their subconscious. Techniques such as affirmations and meditations with healing stones are also used—methods that are very effective. When it comes to self-awareness and self-healing, I would advise people to always believe in their own self-healing powers. Everyone has these powers—one example is the healing of a bruise, which resolves on its own. These powers are constantly at work, even if we aren’t always aware of them. Just as we make sure our car doesn’t run on an empty tank, we should also take care of our own bodies through good nutrition, sufficient vitamins, and physical activity. This preventive care is crucial to preventing chronic pain conditions from developing in the first place. If a pain problem does arise, however, it’s important to consider and utilize holistic approaches. Even though it may be difficult, this is the path to achieving a better quality of life in the long term. “The main goal is to reduce pain and achieve a healthy lifestyle,” says Dr. Heymann, summarizing the goal of improving the patient’s quality of life—and with that, we conclude our conversation.

Thank you very much, Dr. Heymann, for this fascinating insight into your multimodal approach!