My Pain Journey
Given the years of gaslighting I experienced by ignorant and egotistical physicians, I was resistant to the idea that my mind had anything to do with my pain. But there's a crucial difference between:
DISMISSIVE MESSAGE
Being told your pain is "all in your head" (implying you're crazy, depressed, or making it up)
SCIENTIFIC TRUTH
Understanding that pain signals start in the brain (while your pain is completely real)
Learning that my brain is responsible for my pain experience - and that I have more control than I ever imagined - has been life-changing.
That doesn't mean the pain was my fault. It means that pain science empowered me to train my brain to better understand the stimuli it was taking in and led me to initially manage and reduce, and then - incredibly - eliminate my pain.
YOU CAN DO THIS TOO!!
Pain Science & Pain Management
Pain is real. It's not something you made up in your mind, but it is produced by the brain 100% of the time.
Understanding this fundamental truth is the first step toward taking control of your pain experience.
How Your Brain Creates Pain
The Protective Buffer System
Pain provides a protective buffer around your body. The size of this buffer varies depending on what your brain determines needs protecting.
ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDING
The brain's interpretation of danger messages is more important than the danger messages themselves.
Reality Check
Your tissues are safer than they feel.
The Problem
When the brain can't accurately predict signals, chronic pain develops.
The Pain Learning Cycle
The Problem:
The brain learns pain so effectively that your pain-free activities continually shrink. This leaves you with three choices:
Avoidance Strategy
Avoid pain by continuously reducing activities - leading to further limitations
Push-Through Strategy
Power through pain regardless of consequences (my old approach)
Retraining Strategy
Retrain your overprotective system to accurately interpret signals (my current and recommended approach!!!)
The Retraining Solution
In an overprotective system, the risk of inactivity is much greater than the risk of activity.
The Goal:
Retrain your system to more accurately interpret the signals it receives about potential danger.
"Motion is lotion. Even imagining motion helps."— Lorimer Moseley, world-renowned pain science expert
Movement is absolutely essential for managing, reducing, and avoiding pain.
Movement vs. Avoiding Movement
In an overprotective system, movement is safe even when it is painful. Avoiding movement is not.
ACTIVE TREATMENT (YOU DO IT)
Activity gradually suppresses the pain system through various mechanisms.
Active approaches protect you against many other problems that are at increased risk when you have chronic pain.
PASSIVE TREATMENT (DONE TO YOU)
Passive treatments don't provide the same benefits as active approaches.
There's a crucial difference between someone doing treatment to you versus you actively engaging in treatment.
My Life-Changing Journey
MY RESULTS
Learning how my brain creates my pain experience allowed me to first reduce my pain significantly, then ultimately eliminate it completely.
That's a big f*cking deal!
The Healthcare Gap
Unfortunately, many medical professionals - even "pain specialists" - aren't up-to-speed on modern pain science. While they may provide temporary relief, lasting pain reduction requires a science-based approach.
Anyone experiencing chronic pain would benefit from working with someone well-versed in pain science, such as a Z-Health trainer.
My life transformation began when I started working with Z-Health Neuro Performance Trainer Steve Madama - I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Learn from the Experts
Dive deeper with resources from world-renowned neuroscientist Lorimer Moseley and other pain science experts.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Tame The Beast and Pain Revolution programs
PROFESSIONAL HELP
Find a Z-Health neuro performance trainer near you
Start Here: Why Things Hurt (15 minutes)
Neuroscientist Lorimer Moseley humorously explains pain science fundamentals. Perfect introduction to understanding how pain really works.
Deep Dive: Pain Neuroscience (30 minutes)
Z-Health founder Eric Cobb provides comprehensive pain science education and practical management strategies.
Advanced: Your Amazing Protectometer
Lorimer Moseley explores advanced pain concepts with real-life examples and practical solutions for chronic pain management.
Management
Physical Tools & Devices
These tools support pain management through muscle recovery, nervous system regulation, and movement enhancement:
Recovery & Therapy: Theragun, Normatec Compression, Biomat, infrared sauna, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, acupressure mat, cupping, Gua sha, pelvic wand.
Movement & Balance: Tune Up Fitness therapy balls, Yamuna therapy balls and foot wakers, wobble board, Swell balance board, Iron Neck, resistance bands, rebounder (mini trampoline).
Support & Comfort: Bone conduction headphones, abdominal binder.
Mind-Body & Recovery Tools
These approaches target the nervous system and mind-body connection to help retrain pain responses:
Nervous System Regulation: NuCalm, iBreathe, Insight Timer, breathwork (and learning to breathe properly), vestibular training, lymphatic drainage, sensory stimulation.
Simple Tools: Tongue depressors for tongue exercises, gallon ziplock bag or paper bag for bag breathing.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT
Accommodations in school, for exams, and at work can reduce stress and pain triggers.