Why You Hurt: How Your Nervous System Affects Pain
When Did My Body Start Shutting Down?
Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, your body just won’t respond the way you want it to? Looking back, I can see the signs of my body beginning to shut down, but at the time, I didn’t understand what was happening. It was gradual, subtle, and confusing. When I first got married, I struggled with unexplained weight gain. No matter what I did, the weight wouldn’t budge—it was as if my body was holding on for protection. Then, after my son was born, life became even more overwhelming. When he was six months old, I discovered my ex-husband had an addiction, and the weight of that reality pulled me into depression. Soon after, I developed persistent back pain that refused to go away, not matter what I tried. It would take years before I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, but even before that, I sensed that my physical pain was connected to something deeper.
The first time I truly connected the dots between my physical pain and emotional experiences was in a yoga class. A friend from recovery invited me to her studio. I had never been to yoga before, but I said yes. It was a restorative class, calm and relaxing. I remember holding a pose and, out of nowhere, I started crying. I had no idea why. My friend reassured me, telling me it was okay, that this was normal. But I was confused—why was I crying? That class was my first awakening to something profound: what we experience in life doesn’t just stay in our minds. It lives in our bodies.
Your Body Is Always Communicating
Pain is often misunderstood. We think it’s just a physical issue, something to be “fixed.” But pain is a language. Your body isn’t betraying you—it’s speaking to you. Pain is actually an output of the nervous system, a protective response to perceived threats. When we experience chronic stress, trauma, or emotional turmoil, our nervous system can go into high alert, activating the sympathetic fight-or-flight response. Other times, it completely shuts down into dorsal vagal shutdown, a protective mechanism where the body disconnects and becomes immobilized. In these two different stages, the nervous system can create a variety of outputs for protection—including pain, migraines, muscle tension, and fatigue—to keep us safe, even when no immediate danger is present. Over time, these patterns create tension, inflammation, and even immune dysfunction. Our bodies are incredibly wise, designed by God to protect us and keep us alive. But if we don’t acknowledge the messages, our bodies will continue to sound the alarm.
Why Pain Persists
Traditional medicine often treats pain as a surface-level issue. But if you’ve tried everything—medications, stretching, different diets, or even other healing modalities—only to find yourself still struggling, the missing piece might be your nervous system. When our bodies constantly perceive a threat—whether from the present or the past—our nervous system responds by activating protective mechanisms. This might look like:
Chronic muscle tension and stiffness, leading to ongoing pain.
Disruptions in digestion, contributing to gut inflammation and discomfort.
Restless or poor-quality sleep, leaving us feeling exhausted and unrefreshed.
Reduced mobility in the joints, making movement more challenging.
A heightened immune response, potentially exacerbating autoimmune conditions.
Decreased physical performance and slower recovery from exercise.
Pain is not just about what’s happening in your muscles, joints, or bones. It’s about your brain’s perception of safety. If your nervous system still senses danger—even if that danger is from the past—your body will respond accordingly.
How to Begin Releasing Pain
The good news? Your body wants to heal. It is always working toward balance, but sometimes, it needs a little guidance. The first step in releasing pain is reducing the perceived threat to your nervous system. When your body feels safe, it can begin to relax, repair, and heal. Here are some of the most powerful nervous system healing practices that have helped me and my clients:
Morning Sunlight & Walking: Resets your circadian rhythm, reduces inflammation, and calms your nervous system.
Grounding: Placing your feet on the earth helps bring your body out of stress mode and into healing mode.
Movement & Dance: Gentle movement helps release stored tension and rewire the brain for safety.
Singing & Humming: Activates the vagus nerve, signaling the body that it’s safe to relax.
Bodywork & Massage: Touch is deeply healing, especially when done with nervous system awareness.
Hydration: Drinking enough water supports cellular function, detoxification, and overall well-being.
Restful Sleep: Prioritizing quality sleep allows the nervous system to reset and promotes deep healing.
Hope for Healing
Wherever you are on your journey, know this: your body is not broken. Whatever symptoms you’re experiencing—whether it’s pain, fatigue, or anxiety—your body is doing what it was designed to do: protect you. But you don’t have to stay stuck. Healing is possible. It starts with listening, understanding, and giving your body what it needs to feel safe again.
If this resonates with you, I’d love to help. My work isn’t just about pain relief—it’s about helping you reconnect with your body, release stored emotions and stress, and step into healing. You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s start this journey together.
Ready to explore a new way to heal? Book a session today and take the first step toward feeling better.