Have you ever noticed that when you're stressed, your pain feels worse? Or when you're in pain, your stress levels go up? That’s not just in your head—it’s a real biological response. Pain and stress are deeply linked, creating a vicious cycle that can be hard to break.

In this episode, I explore:

• How stress triggers physical pain and keeps the body in a state of tension
• Why chronic stress leads to muscle tightness, inflammation, and increased pain sensitivity
• The surprising ways poor sleep makes pain worse and lowers your pain tolerance
• Practical techniques to reset your nervous system, ease tension, and improve pain management
• How subconscious patterns and the CONTROL method can help rewire your brain’s response to pain

Key Takeaways

• When stress becomes chronic, muscles stay tense, joints stiffen, and pain levels rise
• Poor sleep affects how the body heals and recovers from pain, making everything feel worse
• The brain plays a huge role in chronic pain—pain signals may remain active even after an injury heals
• Breaking the stress-pain cycle requires a combination of physical and mental strategies

If you’re struggling with chronic pain, stress, or sleep issues, this episode will give you practical tools to help regain control and start feeling better.

Resources & Links

• Learn more about physiotherapy, CONTROL, and pain management: www.thriveandshinewomenswellness.co.uk
• Check out previous podcast episodes: www.makingsenseofwomenshealth.co.uk
• Follow me on Instagram: @thriveandshinewomenswellness
• Join me on Facebook: Thrive and Shine Women’s Wellness

Listener Challenge

This week, choose one small step to help break the stress-pain cycle:

• Take a few deep breaths to calm your nervous system
• Do some gentle stretching or movement to release tension
• Notice how you talk about your pain—are you expecting all movement to hurt?

Let me know what you choose. Send me a message on Instagram or leave a comment on my latest post.

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might find it helpful.

www.thriveandshinewomenswellness.co.uk

Supporting Women's Health Transitions with Education, Physiotherapy, Mentoring, Pilates, and Hypnosis.