Reframing Chronic Pain
Reframing Chronic Pain
Reframing Chronic Pain
We live in a culture that’s obsessed with fixing things. From quick-fix workouts to “miracle” pain solutions, we’re surrounded by messages that say: If something hurts, something must be wrong. And if something’s wrong… you must be broken. But what if that’s not true? What if pain isn’t proof of damage… but a call for attention, compassion, and understanding?
We live in a culture that’s obsessed with fixing things. From quick-fix workouts to “miracle” pain solutions, we’re surrounded by messages that say: If something hurts, something must be wrong. And if something’s wrong… you must be broken. But what if that’s not true? What if pain isn’t proof of damage… but a call for attention, compassion, and understanding?
We live in a culture that’s obsessed with fixing things. From quick-fix workouts to “miracle” pain solutions, we’re surrounded by messages that say: If something hurts, something must be wrong. And if something’s wrong… you must be broken. But what if that’s not true? What if pain isn’t proof of damage… but a call for attention, compassion, and understanding?
May 29, 2025
May 29, 2025
May 29, 2025
The Words We Carry
I work with people every day who tell me things like:
“I have a bad back.”“My knees are shot.”“I’m just getting old.”
Does this image bring up some thoughts or memories? If it does, you might be carrying some of these thoughts/beliefs around your pain.
These phrases may seem harmless, but they carry weight.
They shape how we see ourselves, how we move, and how we feel.
They can create a quiet sense of shame… the belief that something in you has failed.
But here’s what I want you to hear clearly:
You are not a faulty machine.
Your body is not broken.
It’s adaptive. It’s protective. It’s doing its best with the signals it’s getting.
What if you carried different words with you regarding your body?
Pain ≠ Damage, Reframing Chronic Pain
One of the most empowering truths I share with my clients is this:
Pain doesn’t always mean injury. This is where we start to reframe chronic pain, updating the story your brain tells about your body, and helping you move from fear and frustration toward clarity, confidence, and control.
Pain is your nervous system’s way of trying to keep you safe.
It’s an alert, sometimes helpful, sometimes oversensitive, but not a diagnosis.
Your brain can hold on to patterns of pain long after the tissues themselves have healed.
Think of it like a fire alarm that goes off when you burn toast.
There’s no danger, but the system is still reacting.
That doesn’t mean you’re broken.
It means your system needs a little recalibration… and a little trust.
How “Broken Thinking” Holds Us Back
When we believe we’re broken, we tend to:
Avoid movement, fearing it will make things worseDetach from our bodies, feeling like they’ve betrayed usLook for outside fixes instead of reconnecting inward
It’s not your fault. You’ve likely been told this story for years—by doctors, media, even your own inner critic.
Healing starts when we change the story.
Rebuilding Trust: One Movement at a Time
What if, instead of trying to fix yourself…
You focused on getting to know yourself?
Listening, exploring, moving gently, and noticing what’s possible without judgment?
Here’s a practice to try today:
The “Body Status” Check-In
Sit or stand comfortably.Take a slow breath in, then out.Move one part of your body—gently roll your shoulders or lift your arm.Ask yourself:“What feels available today?”“What can I do, even if it’s small?”That’s your starting point. That’s enough.
Noticing where you're at helps you gain awareness of what might come next towards your movement goals. Your nervous system hears everything you say about your body, and it’s listening for safety.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be “fixed.”
You need to be heard, seen, and supported.
Pain is real, but so is your body’s ability to adapt, to heal, and to thrive.
You are not behind.
You are not broken.
You are in motion.
And I’m here to walk that path with you, one confident step at a time.
The Words We Carry
I work with people every day who tell me things like:
“I have a bad back.”“My knees are shot.”“I’m just getting old.”
Does this image bring up some thoughts or memories? If it does, you might be carrying some of these thoughts/beliefs around your pain.
These phrases may seem harmless, but they carry weight.
They shape how we see ourselves, how we move, and how we feel.
They can create a quiet sense of shame… the belief that something in you has failed.
But here’s what I want you to hear clearly:
You are not a faulty machine.
Your body is not broken.
It’s adaptive. It’s protective. It’s doing its best with the signals it’s getting.
What if you carried different words with you regarding your body?
Pain ≠ Damage, Reframing Chronic Pain
One of the most empowering truths I share with my clients is this:
Pain doesn’t always mean injury. This is where we start to reframe chronic pain, updating the story your brain tells about your body, and helping you move from fear and frustration toward clarity, confidence, and control.
Pain is your nervous system’s way of trying to keep you safe.
It’s an alert, sometimes helpful, sometimes oversensitive, but not a diagnosis.
Your brain can hold on to patterns of pain long after the tissues themselves have healed.
Think of it like a fire alarm that goes off when you burn toast.
There’s no danger, but the system is still reacting.
That doesn’t mean you’re broken.
It means your system needs a little recalibration… and a little trust.
How “Broken Thinking” Holds Us Back
When we believe we’re broken, we tend to:
Avoid movement, fearing it will make things worseDetach from our bodies, feeling like they’ve betrayed usLook for outside fixes instead of reconnecting inward
It’s not your fault. You’ve likely been told this story for years—by doctors, media, even your own inner critic.
Healing starts when we change the story.
Rebuilding Trust: One Movement at a Time
What if, instead of trying to fix yourself…
You focused on getting to know yourself?
Listening, exploring, moving gently, and noticing what’s possible without judgment?
Here’s a practice to try today:
The “Body Status” Check-In
Sit or stand comfortably.Take a slow breath in, then out.Move one part of your body—gently roll your shoulders or lift your arm.Ask yourself:“What feels available today?”“What can I do, even if it’s small?”That’s your starting point. That’s enough.
Noticing where you're at helps you gain awareness of what might come next towards your movement goals. Your nervous system hears everything you say about your body, and it’s listening for safety.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be “fixed.”
You need to be heard, seen, and supported.
Pain is real, but so is your body’s ability to adapt, to heal, and to thrive.
You are not behind.
You are not broken.
You are in motion.
And I’m here to walk that path with you, one confident step at a time.
The Words We Carry
I work with people every day who tell me things like:
“I have a bad back.”“My knees are shot.”“I’m just getting old.”
Does this image bring up some thoughts or memories? If it does, you might be carrying some of these thoughts/beliefs around your pain.
These phrases may seem harmless, but they carry weight.
They shape how we see ourselves, how we move, and how we feel.
They can create a quiet sense of shame… the belief that something in you has failed.
But here’s what I want you to hear clearly:
You are not a faulty machine.
Your body is not broken.
It’s adaptive. It’s protective. It’s doing its best with the signals it’s getting.
What if you carried different words with you regarding your body?
Pain ≠ Damage, Reframing Chronic Pain
One of the most empowering truths I share with my clients is this:
Pain doesn’t always mean injury. This is where we start to reframe chronic pain, updating the story your brain tells about your body, and helping you move from fear and frustration toward clarity, confidence, and control.
Pain is your nervous system’s way of trying to keep you safe.
It’s an alert, sometimes helpful, sometimes oversensitive, but not a diagnosis.
Your brain can hold on to patterns of pain long after the tissues themselves have healed.
Think of it like a fire alarm that goes off when you burn toast.
There’s no danger, but the system is still reacting.
That doesn’t mean you’re broken.
It means your system needs a little recalibration… and a little trust.
How “Broken Thinking” Holds Us Back
When we believe we’re broken, we tend to:
Avoid movement, fearing it will make things worseDetach from our bodies, feeling like they’ve betrayed usLook for outside fixes instead of reconnecting inward
It’s not your fault. You’ve likely been told this story for years—by doctors, media, even your own inner critic.
Healing starts when we change the story.
Rebuilding Trust: One Movement at a Time
What if, instead of trying to fix yourself…
You focused on getting to know yourself?
Listening, exploring, moving gently, and noticing what’s possible without judgment?
Here’s a practice to try today:
The “Body Status” Check-In
Sit or stand comfortably.Take a slow breath in, then out.Move one part of your body—gently roll your shoulders or lift your arm.Ask yourself:“What feels available today?”“What can I do, even if it’s small?”That’s your starting point. That’s enough.
Noticing where you're at helps you gain awareness of what might come next towards your movement goals. Your nervous system hears everything you say about your body, and it’s listening for safety.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be “fixed.”
You need to be heard, seen, and supported.
Pain is real, but so is your body’s ability to adapt, to heal, and to thrive.
You are not behind.
You are not broken.
You are in motion.
And I’m here to walk that path with you, one confident step at a time.
— Chris Voirin, Physical Therapist & Founder of MMPT
— Chris Voirin, Physical Therapist & Founder of MMPT
— Chris Voirin, Physical Therapist & Founder of MMPT
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Explore more reflections, guidance, and practical tools to support your growth and well-being.
Explore more reflections, guidance, and practical tools to support your growth and well-being.
Have you ever been stuck in traffic, knuckles white on the steering wheel, wishing you could teleport home? Or maybe you’ve had that restless moment in bed, staring at the ceiling, and thinking, “Why can’t my brain just stop?” We’ve all been there—tight shoulders, shallow breaths, and a mind that won’t quit. But what if I told you there’s a simple (and surprisingly powerful) trick to help dial down the stress, calm your body, and even reduce pain? Spoiler alert: It’s something you do every single day, and you’re doing it right now—breathing.
Have you ever been stuck in traffic, knuckles white on the steering wheel, wishing you could teleport home? Or maybe you’ve had that restless moment in bed, staring at the ceiling, and thinking, “Why can’t my brain just stop?” We’ve all been there—tight shoulders, shallow breaths, and a mind that won’t quit. But what if I told you there’s a simple (and surprisingly powerful) trick to help dial down the stress, calm your body, and even reduce pain? Spoiler alert: It’s something you do every single day, and you’re doing it right now—breathing.
Have you ever been stuck in traffic, knuckles white on the steering wheel, wishing you could teleport home? Or maybe you’ve had that restless moment in bed, staring at the ceiling, and thinking, “Why can’t my brain just stop?” We’ve all been there—tight shoulders, shallow breaths, and a mind that won’t quit. But what if I told you there’s a simple (and surprisingly powerful) trick to help dial down the stress, calm your body, and even reduce pain? Spoiler alert: It’s something you do every single day, and you’re doing it right now—breathing.
Find a clear path to returning to working out with this 4-step guide.
Find a clear path to returning to working out with this 4-step guide.
Find a clear path to returning to working out with this 4-step guide.
Your questions.
Answered.
Not sure what to expect? These answers might help you feel more confident as you begin.
Didn’t find your answer? Send us a message — we’ll respond with care and clarity.
How is this different than other physical therapy practices?
We don’t just chase symptoms, we help you understand them and find the root cause. Most PT clinics will give you a list of exercises, send you home, and hope for the best. At Mindful Motion, we slow things down. We start by listening to your story, digging into the “why” behind your pain, and creating a plan that works for your life.
How is this different than other physical therapy practices?
We don’t just chase symptoms, we help you understand them and find the root cause. Most PT clinics will give you a list of exercises, send you home, and hope for the best. At Mindful Motion, we slow things down. We start by listening to your story, digging into the “why” behind your pain, and creating a plan that works for your life.
What can I expect from the first session?
What can I expect from the first session?
The first session is all about getting a thorough background, comprehensive analysis of your strength, flexibility, and mobility, and understanding your history with pain. You’ll talk with your PT about what brings you here, what's held you back in the past, and where you'd like to go.
Do you offer both online and in-person sessions?
Do you offer both online and in-person sessions?
Yes. Whether you prefer meeting face-to-face or from the comfort of home, we offer flexible options to meet you where you are.
What treatment strategies do you employ?
What treatment strategies do you employ?
Some of the skills which we will discuss and develop are listed below.
Graded and meaningful progression into safe movement and exercise based on your initial evaluation.
Education on Pain Neuroscience and how our understanding of pain and our nervous system plays a large role in our experience of pain.
Developing Mindfulness Meditation skills as a tool to calm the nervous system, relate to your pain differently, create a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and sensations to provide a fuller experience of daily life and deepen your presence.
Identifying and developing a plan surrounding your personal values which you would like to lead life by.
Other things which we will address are adequate sleep hygiene, appropriate aerobic exercise, working with acceptance of what is, and much more.
Why Mindfulness Meditation?
Why Mindfulness Meditation?
Depending on where you want to go in your therapy, Mindfulness Meditation can act as any number of things for you and your life. Let's start with some definitions.
Mindfulness is the purposeful ability to observe one's thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgment, and to be fully present in the current moment
Meditation is the tool which we use to cultivate mindfulness in our daily lives.
Okay... so why mindfulness meditation for my recovery?
The implications of practicing Mindfulness Meditation with patience and persistence can be profound to your recovery from injury or pain. It can also have an impact to your contact to the present moment, your relationships to yourself and your thoughts, to your loved ones, and the world. You can learn to deal with stress, hardships, and the ups and downs of life with more equanimity.
We're taking your body to the gym by doing the exercises we prescribe. Why not also take your mind to the gym and help create lasting habits which can improve your quality of life.
Your questions.
Answered.
Not sure what to expect? These answers might help you feel more confident as you begin.
How is this different than other physical therapy practices?
We don’t just chase symptoms, we help you understand them and find the root cause. Most PT clinics will give you a list of exercises, send you home, and hope for the best. At Mindful Motion, we slow things down. We start by listening to your story, digging into the “why” behind your pain, and creating a plan that works for your life.
How is this different than other physical therapy practices?
We don’t just chase symptoms, we help you understand them and find the root cause. Most PT clinics will give you a list of exercises, send you home, and hope for the best. At Mindful Motion, we slow things down. We start by listening to your story, digging into the “why” behind your pain, and creating a plan that works for your life.
What can I expect from the first session?
What can I expect from the first session?
The first session is all about getting a thorough background, comprehensive analysis of your strength, flexibility, and mobility, and understanding your history with pain. You’ll talk with your PT about what brings you here, what's held you back in the past, and where you'd like to go.
Do you offer both online and in-person sessions?
Do you offer both online and in-person sessions?
Yes. Whether you prefer meeting face-to-face or from the comfort of home, we offer flexible options to meet you where you are.
What treatment strategies do you employ?
What treatment strategies do you employ?
Some of the skills which we will discuss and develop are listed below.
Graded and meaningful progression into safe movement and exercise based on your initial evaluation.
Education on Pain Neuroscience and how our understanding of pain and our nervous system plays a large role in our experience of pain.
Developing Mindfulness Meditation skills as a tool to calm the nervous system, relate to your pain differently, create a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and sensations to provide a fuller experience of daily life and deepen your presence.
Identifying and developing a plan surrounding your personal values which you would like to lead life by.
Other things which we will address are adequate sleep hygiene, appropriate aerobic exercise, working with acceptance of what is, and much more.
Why Mindfulness Meditation?
Why Mindfulness Meditation?
Depending on where you want to go in your therapy, Mindfulness Meditation can act as any number of things for you and your life. Let's start with some definitions.
Mindfulness is the purposeful ability to observe one's thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgment, and to be fully present in the current moment
Meditation is the tool which we use to cultivate mindfulness in our daily lives.
Okay... so why mindfulness meditation for my recovery?
The implications of practicing Mindfulness Meditation with patience and persistence can be profound to your recovery from injury or pain. It can also have an impact to your contact to the present moment, your relationships to yourself and your thoughts, to your loved ones, and the world. You can learn to deal with stress, hardships, and the ups and downs of life with more equanimity.
We're taking your body to the gym by doing the exercises we prescribe. Why not also take your mind to the gym and help create lasting habits which can improve your quality of life.
Didn’t find your answer? Send us a message — we’ll respond with care and clarity.
Your questions.
Answered.
Not sure what to expect? These answers might help you feel more confident as you begin.
Didn’t find your answer? Send us a message — we’ll respond with care and clarity.
How is this different than other physical therapy practices?
We don’t just chase symptoms, we help you understand them and find the root cause. Most PT clinics will give you a list of exercises, send you home, and hope for the best. At Mindful Motion, we slow things down. We start by listening to your story, digging into the “why” behind your pain, and creating a plan that works for your life.
How is this different than other physical therapy practices?
We don’t just chase symptoms, we help you understand them and find the root cause. Most PT clinics will give you a list of exercises, send you home, and hope for the best. At Mindful Motion, we slow things down. We start by listening to your story, digging into the “why” behind your pain, and creating a plan that works for your life.
What can I expect from the first session?
What can I expect from the first session?
The first session is all about getting a thorough background, comprehensive analysis of your strength, flexibility, and mobility, and understanding your history with pain. You’ll talk with your PT about what brings you here, what's held you back in the past, and where you'd like to go.
Do you offer both online and in-person sessions?
Do you offer both online and in-person sessions?
Yes. Whether you prefer meeting face-to-face or from the comfort of home, we offer flexible options to meet you where you are.
What treatment strategies do you employ?
What treatment strategies do you employ?
Some of the skills which we will discuss and develop are listed below.
Graded and meaningful progression into safe movement and exercise based on your initial evaluation.
Education on Pain Neuroscience and how our understanding of pain and our nervous system plays a large role in our experience of pain.
Developing Mindfulness Meditation skills as a tool to calm the nervous system, relate to your pain differently, create a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and sensations to provide a fuller experience of daily life and deepen your presence.
Identifying and developing a plan surrounding your personal values which you would like to lead life by.
Other things which we will address are adequate sleep hygiene, appropriate aerobic exercise, working with acceptance of what is, and much more.
Why Mindfulness Meditation?
Why Mindfulness Meditation?
Depending on where you want to go in your therapy, Mindfulness Meditation can act as any number of things for you and your life. Let's start with some definitions.
Mindfulness is the purposeful ability to observe one's thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgment, and to be fully present in the current moment
Meditation is the tool which we use to cultivate mindfulness in our daily lives.
Okay... so why mindfulness meditation for my recovery?
The implications of practicing Mindfulness Meditation with patience and persistence can be profound to your recovery from injury or pain. It can also have an impact to your contact to the present moment, your relationships to yourself and your thoughts, to your loved ones, and the world. You can learn to deal with stress, hardships, and the ups and downs of life with more equanimity.
We're taking your body to the gym by doing the exercises we prescribe. Why not also take your mind to the gym and help create lasting habits which can improve your quality of life.