Bodyful Episode #10: Dr. Daltry Dott on Why We Should All Care about Chronic Pain

by Valerie Martin

No brief introductory words could adequately communicate how proud I am to know this woman.

Dr. Daltry Dott is not only an incredibly skilled and successful anesthesiologist, but she also happens to be one of my lifelong best friends, going on over 20 years now.

In the intro for this episode, you’ll hear me share just a couple ridiculous anecdotes from some of our younger years. We have laughed ourselves to tears maaany times, and we have sat in coffee shops quietly while she studied for her medical licensure boards and I “studied” (even post grad school, just my idea of fun) psychology/mental health books.

<3 Our friendship in a nutshell! (I would have put an old college or middle school pic on here but that would have required digging the external hard drive out of the closet so… you get this instead.

I’ve been hosting various podcasts for several years now, and it wasn’t until I recently got a bee in my bonnet (yes, yes I just did) to learn more about doing therapy with clients struggling with chronic pain that I thought, DUH, I should talk with Daltry, aka Dr. Dott, aka literally an expert on chronic pain!

Even if you don’t think you’re interested in this topic, I urge you to listen to this one as I’m sure you’ll learn something that ends up being important or helpful either for yourself or someone you love.

As always, remember that this podcast is educational/entertainment, and NOT intended to replace individualized care from your medical and mental health providers.

To listen to the episode, stream from the podcast player below, or search & subscribe to Bodyful on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

About Dr. Daltry Dott (she/her)

Daltry Dott, M.D., CHCQM, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in complex chronic pain management and utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to help individualize treatment plans and provide comprehensive and compassionate care to each patient.

Dr. Dott earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism Honors Societies for her exemplary leadership, academic achievement, and compassionate care. She completed a residency in anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident during her final year, and then remained at Vanderbilt for advanced training through a pain management fellowship. 

Dr. Dott is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in both Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. She is also certified by the National Board of Echocardiography in basic perioperative transesophageal echocardiography and by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians in health care quality and management, with subspecialty certifications as a physician advisor and patient safety and risk manager. 

She was included in D Magazine's Best Doctors in Collin County list for 2021.

Links + Additional Resources:

Daltry shared some links to a lot of the online/book resources she shares with her patients— enjoy!

DEEP BREATHING
Take A Deep Breath

GUIDED MEDITATIONS
10 Minute Guided Meditation to Clear Your Mind & Start New Positive Habits
10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation
Mini Meditation: Appreciate Nature

SLEEP
Sleep Stories:
Calm Sleep Stories: The Nordland Night Train with Erik Braa

Sleep hygiene:
Your Guide to Healthy Sleep

Please consult with your healthcare provider before engaging in physical activity

YOGA
Yoga with Adriene
Chair yoga

LOW BACK EXERCISES
Treat Your Own Back, Robin McKenzie
Lumbar Core Strength and Stability Exercises (Princeton)
Foundational Exercise Program. Good strengthening and fascial based stretching program for low back pain. No equipment needed.
10 Best Lower Back Exercises to Relieve Low Back Pain - Ask Doctor Jo

NECK, SHOULDER
Basic neck/shoulder stretches
Real Time Neck Pain Stretches - Ask Doctor Jo

KNEE
Knee Strengthening Exercises by Dr. Jo
PT Sequence for Knee pain (~9 min)

HIP
Pelvic Stabilization, Lateral Hip and Gluteal Strengthening Program (Princeton)

VIDEOS ON CHRONIC PAIN
David Butler - Treating Pain Using the Brain (1h15m)
Karen D. Davis - How does your brain respond to pain? (5 min)
Understanding Pain in less than 5 minutes, and what to do about it!
Dr. Elliot Crane – Chronic Pain is a Disease (8 min)
Dr. Howard Schubiner - Explaining Chronic Pain (9 min)
Dr. Mike Evans - Low Back Pain (11min)
Dr. L. Mosley - Body in Mind: Role of the Brain and Mind in Chronic Pain (24 min)
Dr. Sean Mackey - Chronic Low Back Pain (1 hr 25 min)
Dr. Daniel Clauw - Chronic Pain: Is it all in their Head? (2 hr)

PSYCHOTHERAPY
Psychotherapy and Chronic Pain

Dr. David Schechter:
MindBody Solutions to Pain

Dr. Howard Schubiner
MindBody Patient Panel #1 (18 min)
MindBody Patient Panel #2 (18 min)
MindBody Patient Panel #3 (20 min)

WEBSITES:
Lorimer Mosley's website
Reconciling Biomechanics with Pain Science
The Pain Community
Pain Action-Website for patients with links to diagnosis specific information and support groups
American Chronic Pain Association - resources for patient and family members

BOOKS FOR CHRONIC PAIN
Dr. R. Siegel - Back Sense
Dr. D.Schechter – Think Away Your Pain
Dr. H. Schubiner – Unlearn Your Pain
Dr. J Otis Managing Chronic Pain: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach Workbook (Treatments That Work)
Dr. Dahl,.Living Beyond Your Pain: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Ease Chronic Pain
Dr. Margaret A. Caudill Managing Pain Before It Manages You, Fourth Edition
Dr.Teater Treating Chronic Pain: Pill-Free Approaches to Move People From Hurt to Hope