Episode Summary

In this powerful installment of our Everyday Pain Stories series, we revisit Ed’s journey through chronic lower back and hip pain—and how a deeper understanding of his stress biology became a game-changer. Through strategic changes to his body chemistry, nervous system support, and emotional healing, Ed not only found physical relief but uncovered critical emotional ties to his pain. His story highlights the often invisible but profound impact of unresolved stress and offers inspiring lessons for anyone on a healing journey.

Key Topics Covered

· Ed’s Progress: How digestive support and nutrition changes dramatically improved his back pain and emotional stability.

· The Science of Blood Sugar and Mood: Why regulating glucose is essential not just for energy, but also for emotional resilience.

· Hidden Trauma Revealed: Ed's childhood experience with home invasion and its lingering impact on his nervous system.

· Acknowledgment and Healing: The physical and emotional release Ed experienced by recognizing the emotional roots of his body tension.

· Financial Stress and Resilience: How Ed buffered against new life stressors and stayed pain-free.

· The Next Healing Step: How small additions of cardiovascular exercise can offer huge protection against future stress build-up.

Conversation Starter

Have you ever noticed a shift in your pain levels after addressing emotional or life stress? Or has physical pain been the thing that finally pushed you to seek emotional support? Share your experiences with us on the Better Pain Coping Substack community—we grow stronger together!

Preview to Next Episode

Next time, we check in with Charlene and explore how personal life changes and emotional stressors have been quietly influencing her pain patterns. Her story reveals the critical intersection between everyday stress and physical healing you won’t want to miss.

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Subscribe to Better Pain Coping on Substack for insights, community discussions, and practical tips to support your body-machine. Claim your free yearlong subscription today!

· Join Better Pain Coping on Substack: For your free yearlong subscription use: dryalingliou.stubstack.com/listener

A community space to share reactions, questions, and experiences.

• Bonus Content & Illustrations: Access exclusive material on Substack to deepen your understanding of the concepts discussed.

Keywords

stress biology chronic pain, emotional trauma and pain, blood sugar mood connection, nervous system healing, everyday pain guide stories, chronic pain stress management, holistic pain recovery, emotional healing back pain, pain relief without medication, healing emotional wounds

#EverydayPainGuide #PainRecoveryJourney #StressBiology #ChronicPainSupport #HealingTrauma #MindBodyHealing #PainFreeLiving #EmotionalWellness #HolisticHealing #EverydayHealingStories

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage

Episode Summary

After mastering the art of releasing and retraining your stress biology, today's episode introduces the powerful third phase: Reinforce. Learn how easing up on yourself, maintaining steady habits, and returning to self-care with kindness can solidify your progress toward a healthier, low-inflammation life. Reinforcing healthier patterns isn't about perfection—it's about persistence, playfulness, and patience. Join me as we explore simple, joyful ways to make lasting change part of your everyday life.

Key Topics Covered

· Ease Up on Yourself: Why self-compassion is a biological advantage.

· Keep It Up: Gentle consistency beats strict perfectionism every time.

· Return to It: How to "begin again" without guilt whenever you falter.

· The Role of Sensory Joy: Using sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste to soothe your nervous system.

· Body Chemistry Reminders: Mindful approaches to food, sleep, movement, and connection.

· Visualization and Healing: Imagining a pain-free future as a tool for real biological change.

· Pain Is Not Forever: You are not alone, and setbacks are part of the journey.

Conversation Starter

Can you start to see a pain-free or stronger future for yourself? After practicing release, retrain, and reinforce strategies, what small but powerful changes have you noticed? Come share your story—and inspire others—over on my Substack, Better Pain Coping.

Preview to Next Episode

Now that you've completed all three phases of the Stress Biology Action Plan, it's time to revisit the journeys of Ed, Charlene, and Billie! In the next episode, we'll pick up with Ed’s story and see how the action steps helped shape his healing path. You won’t want to miss these real-world insights!

Connect and Subscribe

Subscribe to Better Pain Coping on Substack for insights, community discussions, and practical tips to support your body-machine. Claim your free yearlong subscription today!

· Join Better Pain Coping on Substack: For your free yearlong subscription use: dryalingliou.stubstack.com/listener

A community space to share reactions, questions, and experiences.

• Bonus Content & Illustrations: Access exclusive material on Substack to deepen your understanding of the concepts discussed.

Keywords

stress biology healing, pain recovery strategies, reinforce low-stress habits, chronic pain selfcare, nervous system retraining, inflammation and pain relief, self-compassion healing, everyday pain guide, chronic pain mindset, body chemistry wellness

#PainRecovery #HealingJourney #StressRelief #ChronicPainSupport #MindBodyHealing #SelfCompassion #EverydayPainGuide #PainFreeFuture #InflammationRelief #BeginAgain

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage

Episode Summary

Over the past four episodes, we've explored action steps to calm your stress biology and set the stage for healing. Today, we're wrapping up the "Release and Retrain" phase by investigating hidden biases and beliefs about pain, aging, posture, weight, and diagnoses that may be standing between you and real relief. Join me as we learn how reframing these ideas can open the door to better control, greater resilience, and lasting comfort.

Key Topics Covered

· Understanding Bias: How subconscious beliefs can influence pain and healing.

· Pain and Aging: Pain is not an inevitable part of getting older.

· Body Weight Myths: Why fat, not weight, contributes to inflammation—and how strength matters more.

· Posture Misconceptions: The truth about "hunchbacks" and why you should embrace your unique shape.

· Arthritis and Disc Disease Realities: Why X-rays don't always tell the full story.

· Sciatica and Diagnosis Labels: How diagnostic labels can limit—or liberate—your healing journey.

· Power of Mindset: Why challenging your pain beliefs could be your biggest breakthrough yet.

Conversation Starter

What did you learn growing up about pain and aging? Have any of those early beliefs shaped how you experience or manage your pain today? I'd love to hear your reflections—join the discussion over on my Substack, Better Pain Coping!

Preview to Next Episode

You’ve now built the foundation by releasing and retraining — next, it’s time to reinforce the healthier, low-stress biology you’ve been creating. In our next episode, we’ll dive into the third and final action phase to make your progress sustainable and stronger over time. You won't want to miss it!

Connect and Subscribe

Subscribe to Better Pain Coping on Substack for insights, community discussions, and practical tips to support your body-machine. Claim your free yearlong subscription today!

· Join Better Pain Coping on Substack: For your free yearlong subscription use: dryalingliou.stubstack.com/listener

A community space to share reactions, questions, and experiences.

• Bonus Content & Illustrations: Access exclusive material on Substack to deepen your understanding of the concepts discussed.

Keywords

pain myths, pain and aging, body weight and pain, posture and back pain, arthritis misconceptions, disc disease MRI findings, sciatica truth, bias and health, stress biology pain relief, retrain beliefs pain healing

#PainRelief #ChronicPain #MindBodyConnection #HealthMyths #PainAwareness #BiasInMedicine #HealingJourney #EverydayPainGuide #PainMindset #StressBiology

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage