Chronic Pain

Yoga helped me reclaim my life.

My journey into yoga didn’t begin with a spiritual calling, it began due to a suggestion from a member of my treating team as a way to help manage my chronic pain. I wasn't having much success with an array of other modalities and medications, so I was willing to try anything.

Like many people with uteruses, I have conditions called Endometriosis and Adenomyosis. Despite undergoing numerous medical interventions across the span of over a decade (many specialists, surgeries and medications), the pain remained, unrelenting and complex. Eventually, one practitioner gently suggested that I explore the relationship between my nervous system and my experience of pain. That conversation changed everything.

Pain and the Nervous System

Pain, especially when it becomes chronic, is not just a physical issue, it’s also deeply tied to the nervous system. When the body remains in a prolonged state of stress, the nervous system becomes dysregulated - stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Over time, this can lead to a condition known as central sensitisation.

Simply put, central sensitisation is when the brain and spinal cord begin to process pain signals in an amplified way. Even gentle or non-threatening input /signals like light touch or simple movement can be perceived as painful. In my case, even after surgery to remove endometrial tissue, the pain didn’t go away. It actually got worse, manifesting as chronic fatigue, intense migraines, and full-body discomfort.

The Pain-Stress Loop

Pain triggers stress. Stress worsens pain. This feedback loop keeps the nervous system in a reactive and inflamed state, making it harder for the body to return to balance (homeostasis). And the longer it stays dysregulated, the more sensitive it becomes to pain signals.

But there’s hope.

The Brain’s Ability to Change

Through a beautiful phenomenon called neuroplasticity, the brain can rewire itself. Even after years of chronic pain it’s possible to retrain the nervous system to respond more calmly and adaptively to stress.

Practices like yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork are scientifically supported tools that promote nervous system regulation. They encourage the brain to build new, healthier pathways - particularly in areas like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, which are involved in emotion regulation and resilience. Over time, these practices help reduce pain sensitivity and enhance our capacity to cope.

Yoga Gave Me My Life Back

Yoga became more than a physical practice - it became a form of medicine. Through gentle movement, breath, stillness, and self-enquiry, I learned how to communicate with my body in a new way. I built a relationship with my nervous system. I softened. I listened. And slowly, I healed.

Whilst I still have bad days, I no longer need daily pain management medication. That still feels surreal to write! Like learning a new language or musical instrument, the key is consistency. The more we show up, the more we reinforce those healing neural pathways. In this way, nervous system regulation becomes not just a practice but a way of life. One that offers agency, empowerment, and deep self-connection.

If you’re navigating chronic pain, know this ... you're not alone, and your body is not broken. There is another way. Yoga was mine.

With love,

Steph

This information is based on personal experience and should not replace advice from a medical professional