Frequently asked questions - general

My pain is so severe - surely there must be something physically wrong for me to be in this much pain?

Our bodies are far more resilient than most people think. In fact, numerous studies over the past two decades have found little evidence linking poor posture, structure, or biomechanics to musculoskeletal pain. Chronic pain is primarily driven by our body’s automatic, unconscious, and primitive survival response to perceived threats. While we may not encounter life-threatening situations as often today, our central nervous system still works to protect us. The greater the perceived stress or threat, the more intense the response - manifesting as pain.

My MRI scans showed that there is some degeneration, so how can you say that this isn’t causing my pain?

There are numerous studies demonstrating that just as many people who don’t have pain have degeneration. This is a normal sign of ageing and rarely linked to pain. Take a look at these studies.

I was stressed when my pain started, but I’m not now and yet I can’t get rid of the pain. Why is that?

Unfortunately, the fear and frustration caused by pain and the struggle to recover can keep the pain cycle going. Over time, the nervous system becomes more sensitive, making the pain response easier to trigger. To break this cycle, it’s important to use strategies that help retrain the nervous system while also identifying and addressing any underlying triggers, both past and present.

When my pain came on I wasn’t feeling stressed, so maybe my pain is real?

Your pain is real, even if it has an emotional cause. If serious conditions like cancer, infections, fractures, or autoimmune disorders have been ruled out, chronic pain is almost always linked to stress. This is incredibly common but often misunderstood. Sometimes, pain is triggered by an event you don’t consciously remember—perhaps an old emotional memory or an issue your brain perceives as ‘dangerous’ or ‘inappropriate.’ In response, your nervous system activates a survival mechanism, creating pain as a form of protection. By understanding these patterns, you can begin to break free from the cycle and regain control.

I hurt my back a while ago and the pain never went. Surely I must have damaged it and that’s why it’s no better?

Even if there was an injury, it would have healed within weeks rather than lingering for months. It's more likely that there was some inner conflict at play while you were decorating. Perhaps you felt obligated to do it rather than truly wanting to, experienced some underlying resentment, triggered an unresolved past issue, or were simply overwhelmed with everything else going on in your life.

I have tried every treatment you can think of, but I still have pain. How do I know that you can help?

As you may have experienced, no single treatment works for everyone. Each person is unique, with different conditions, experiences, and personalities that shape their healing journey. Some may simply need to understand the concepts and apply them on their own, while others benefit from support and guidance from an experienced practitioner. The key is finding the approach that works best for you.

I have a really busy life and am not sure that I will be able to commit much time. What do you suggest?

The fact that you're so busy may well be one of the causes of your pain. If we don’t take time out to unwind, our body may find other ways to release built-up stress - often through pain. Many strategies I teach can fit easily into your daily routine. However, if you don’t allow yourself any time to pause within a hectic schedule, progress may be limited.

I have a situation that is causing me enormous stress and there is no way out of it, so if my pain is stress-induced how can you help me?

Feeling disempowered and unable to see a way forward can make things even more challenging. This sense of inner turmoil can actually fuel pain, creating a cycle that feels hard to escape. However, it’s important to remember that stress is said to be only 10% about what happens to us and 90% about how we respond. The goal of our sessions is to help you navigate life with less resistance. I provide practical strategies for managing ongoing stress, helping you break free from the pain-stress cycle and regain control of your well-being.