Pain syndromes are a common challenge for countless individuals, often looping back despite the best efforts to treat them. People consult various professionals, from doctors to alternative therapists, seeking relief. While treatments may offer temporary improvement, the pain often returns, leaving individuals feeling stuck and frustrated.
This cycle of chronic pain raises an essential question: why do so many pain syndromes persist, even after extensive interventions? To understand this, we need to examine not only the treatments themselves but also the beliefs and approaches that underpin our
current understanding of pain.
The Loop of Chronic Pain Syndromes
In our modern society, it’s common to accept certain types of pain as inevitable, especially as we age. Phrases like “age-appropriate symptoms” have created a widespread belief that back pain, joint stiffness, or chronic discomfort are simply part of growing older. While it’s true that the body undergoes changes over time, more and more evidence suggests this belief is not entirely accurate.
Yes, our systems may require adjustments and increased care as we age—perhaps recovery is slower, and we must intentionally incorporate supportive practices. But the idea that chronic pain is unavoidable is a myth. What’s more concerning is the missing link in how we address pain syndromes at any age.
The Missing Link: Why Pain Returns
Many treatments focus solely on the physical aspects of pain—adjusting the body, relaxing the muscles, or releasing tight fascia. While these methods are valuable, they often fail to address a critical factor: the nervous system.
Our nervous system is deeply interconnected with how we experience and process pain. When we’re stressed or overwhelmed, our body’s defenses activate, creating tension in the fascia and soft tissues. If treatments ignore this connection, they often provide only short-term relief. Once the treatment is over, the tissue may "bounce back," carrying even more reactivity and tension than before.
This happens because the underlying stress activation in the system—the root cause—
has not been addressed.
Working with the Body's Layers
To break free from the cycle of chronic pain, we must shift how we approach treatment. Pain is not just a physical experience; it is an interplay of physical, emotional, and nervous system dynamics. Effective, lasting relief requires working with all layers of the body:
The Physical LayerManual therapies can be highly effective in addressing structural imbalances, releasing tight fascia, and improving mobility. However, they must be approached with attentiveness and gradual care to avoid triggering the body’s defenses.
The Nervous System LayerThe nervous system governs our stress responses and plays a significant role in how pain is experienced and stored. When therapists work too quickly or with intense manipulations, they risk activating the nervous system's defenses, reinforcing patterns of tension. Slow, mindful techniques that prioritize safety and regulation are key.
The Emotional LayerPain often carries an emotional component. Stress, unresolved trauma, and daily life pressures can all contribute to chronic pain. Addressing this requires creating space for awareness, self-regulation, and deeper emotional connection.
The Role of Lifestyle in Chronic Pain
Pain is not solely a consequence of physical injury or stress; it is significantly influenced by our daily habits and environment. Although this is not my primary field of expertise, my decade of experience working with clients has frequently revealed the impact of these factors, and there is a rationale behind it.
Inflammation and Nutrition Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to persistent pain. What we eat has a direct impact on inflammation in the body. Diets high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can exacerbate inflammation, while anti-inflammatory foods—such as fresh vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and whole grains—can support healing. Although nutrition isn’t my specific area of focus, it’s an essential piece of the puzzle when addressing pain.
Sleep and Stress Poor sleep quality and heightened stress levels create a feedback loop of inflammation and tension. Without adequate rest, the body struggles to repair itself, leaving tissues tense and reactive. Chronic stress also keeps the nervous system in a heightened state of defence, reinforcing patterns of tension that contribute to pain.
Movement Variety Movement is essential for maintaining healthy tissues and reducing pain, but many people fall into repetitive movement patterns. Even those who exercise regularly—whether at the gym, Pilates, or yoga—tend to move in the same ways. This creates areas of overuse and underuse, leaving certain parts of the body neglected and tissues stiff. The body thrives on variety: walking, stretching, playful movement, and exploring new ways to engage the fascia can improve its resilience and flexibility.
A New Approach to Pain
Healing chronic pain requires a holistic perspective. We need to move away from quick fixes and embrace methods that address the whole system—body, mind, and nervous system. This means:
Shifting the Belief System: Recognising that pain is not an inevitable part of aging and that healing is possible at any stage of life.
Understanding the Nervous System: Learning how stress, activation, and defences influence the body’s tissues and pain responses.
Integrating Layers: Working with manual therapies in combination with nervous system regulation and emotional awareness.
Moving Gradually: Slowing down, working attentively, and honoring the language of the body to create lasting change.
Breaking the Cycle
Pain is not just a signal of something wrong; it is a call to deeper connection. By addressing the layers of the body and its systems, we can transform the experience of pain into an opportunity for healing and growth. This approach moves beyond temporary relief, offering a pathway to true, lasting freedom from chronic pain.
If you’ve felt stuck in the loop of pain syndromes, this may be the missing link you’ve been searching for. By learning to listen to your body and work with its unique language, you can finally begin to break free.
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