The Real Reason You're in Pain (It's Not Just Inflammation)
When I first started working with people struggling with chronic pain, I noticed a pattern that kept showing up again and again. They weren’t just dealing with physical inflammation. They weren’t just dealing with an injury, a diagnosis, or a blood test result.
They were also stuck with a nervous system that had been running on high alert for way too long.
And chances are, if you’re reading this right now — if you're feeling like you’ve tried everything and you’re still hurting — you’re dealing with it, too.
Today, I want to share what’s really going on underneath the surface when pain won’t go away, and what I see helping the most.
Understanding Chronic Inflammation: More Than Just Swelling
When people hear "inflammation," most think about obvious signs like a swollen ankle or a red rash.
But chronic inflammation is quieter, sneakier, and way more stubborn. It's a slow-burning fire inside your body that keeps your immune system in a constant state of emergency. Over time, that fire can wear down tissues, trigger autoimmune responses, and create the perfect storm for ongoing pain.
Things like:
Gut imbalances
Food sensitivities
Hidden infections
Mold exposure
Environmental toxins
...all pour gasoline on that fire.
And here’s where it gets tricky: even if you clean up the triggers, even if you follow the perfect diet and take all the right supplements, you might still not feel better.
Because inflammation is only half the story.
The Nervous System Piece Most People Miss
Imagine living with a smoke detector that goes off every time you make toast. Even if there’s no real fire, your alarm system is stuck in overdrive. That’s what happens when the nervous system becomes dysregulated.
Long-term pain — especially when it's connected to inflammation — rewires the nervous system. The body gets used to sending pain signals even when the original cause is gone. It’s not "all in your head" (and please don't ever let anyone tell you that), but it is happening in the communication between your body and your brain.
Things like:
Chronic stress
Trauma (big or small)
Sleep disruption
Feeling unsafe in your body
...all tell the nervous system, “Stay on high alert!”
Over time, that hypervigilance becomes a habit. It locks the body into a feedback loop where pain, inflammation, and anxiety keep feeding each other.
Healing Requires Addressing Both Sides
Getting real relief means calming the fire and resetting the alarm system.
This is why in my work, I focus on supporting the physical body and soothing the nervous system. When we address one without the other, it often feels like something is missing.
Some of the things I see making the biggest difference:
Supporting the gut with personalized nutrition and gentle supplementation
Calming inflammation naturally by addressing infections, detoxifying safely, and rebuilding resilience
Practicing gentle nervous system work like somatic exercises, vagus nerve toning, breathwork, and trauma-informed mindfulness
Prioritizing deep rest and creating small, daily moments of safety
Healing from chronic pain isn't about "pushing harder" or "thinking positively." It’s about listening to the very real signals your body is sending — and creating a new, safer reality inside your system, step by step.
You Are Not Broken
If no one has told you this before: you are not broken. Your body isn’t failing you. It’s actually doing exactly what it was designed to do — protect you. It's just been stuck in protection mode for too long.
Practicing compassion with yourself, practicing patience with the process, and practicing deep listening to your body’s needs are not just nice ideas — they are essential parts of the healing path.
Your body remembers how to heal. Sometimes it just needs a little help finding its way back.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to start, I’m here to help! Working with someone who understands both the science and the emotional side of chronic illness can be a game-changer.
So get started by scheduling a free discovery call with me below.
