Reframing Chronic Pain - What if You're Not Broken?

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?

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 worse

• Detach from our bodies, feeling like they’ve betrayed us

• Look 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

1. Sit or stand comfortably.

2. Take a slow breath in, then out.

3. Move one part of your body—gently roll your shoulders or lift your arm.

4. Ask yourself:

   • “What feels available today?”

   • “What can I do, even if it’s small?”

5. 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.

Warmly,

Chris