Post-traumatic growth doesn’t always appear with time - it happens when certain conditions are in place after crisis. Research shows growth is more likely when you process the “why” and “what now,” connect with people who get it, use flexible coping, take meaningful action, and allow progress to unfold over time. Here are five science-backed ways to maximise your chances of growing after trauma.

When you stub your toe, swearing might do more than vent frustration—it can actually raise your pain tolerance. A Keele University study found real swear words boosted endurance by over 30%, while made-up ones like “fouch” and “twizpipe” had no effect. Why this happens is still a mystery. What’s clear is that real swearing helps us push through pain in ways scientists are only beginning to understand.

Topaz lived with back pain for 14 years after a horse-riding accident. At its worst, her pain reached 9/10, affecting her work and hobbies. Through a tailored rehab programme focused on strengthening, pain education, and gradual return to activity, she reduced her pain, stopped medication, and even hit her first home run in softball. Today, her back pain has completely resolved, showing recovery is possible even after years of suffering.

Persistent pain isn’t just about the body tissues, it’s also about the brain’s predictions. Predictive processing shows us that pain is shaped by expectations as much and sometimes more than sensations. When the brain strongly expects pain, pain can be felt even without ongoing damage. The good news? By updating these predictions through education, mindfulness, safe movement, and context shifts, you can help your brain write a new, less painful story.

Do you struggle to enjoy exercise? You’re not alone. Many people think they hate exercise, but often it’s just that they haven’t found the right kind of movement. Just like finding the right book can spark a love of reading, finding the right workout can transform how you feel about exercise. In this post, physiotherapist Edward Walsh shares practical tips, personal insights, and guidance on how to discover movement you’ll actually enjoy, even if pain has been holding you bac

Nerve flossing, or nerve sliding, is a gentle technique used to relieve nerve-related pain by moving the nerve back and forth without adding tension. This helps restore blood flow, healing, and normal function. Research shows it can reduce pain and disability, especially for sciatic nerve issues linked to lower back pain. In this post, we’ll explore how to safely perform sciatic nerve flossing, with videos showing both self-guided and assisted techniques.

What if your deepest pain held the seeds of your greatest growth? Post-traumatic growth (PTG) offers a hopeful lens on suffering, one that honours the brutality of trauma while exploring how it can lead to profound transformation. From greater appreciation of life to spiritual renewal, PTG shows how, when supported, pain can become a portal. This post explores the psychology, pathways, and personal reflections behind healing and meaning-making after hardship.

When Childhood Pain Echoes explores how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shape the brain and increase the risk of chronic pain in adulthood. Drawing from a 2023 meta-analysis of over 800,000 participants, this post breaks down how early emotional, physical, or sexual abuse can leave a lasting neurobiological imprint—altering your nervous system’s pain alarm. But there’s good news: what was once wired by adversity can be rewired with evidence-based tools and trauma-informe

We’ve all heard the advice: “Lift with your legs, not your back.” But new research challenges this long-standing belief. A 2020 systematic review found no strong evidence linking spinal flexion during lifting to low back pain. In fact, some people with back pain bend less, likely due to fear or outdated advice. This blog breaks down what the science actually says and why it’s time to stop fearing the bend.

A groundbreaking study in Nature Medicine reveals chronic pain can be predicted before it spreads. Using data from 493,000 people, researchers created a six-question biopsychosocial risk score that forecasts pain progression up to 9 years in advance. The key drivers? Mood, sleep, stress, and BMI, not tissue damage. This is huge for informing how we understand and prevent persistent pain.

Listening plays a crucial role in effective persistent pain treatment, yet many clinicians interrupt within seconds of asking a question, missing valuable insights. Each person’s experience of pain is unique, and meaningful care begins with understanding their story. When time is short, choosing to listen well can still shape outcomes. The most effective treatment plans often start with the simplest intervention: giving space to be heard.

Modern life leaves many of us deficient in nutrients our ancestors thrived on. This blog explores my minimalist supplement stack, grounded in ancestral logic and backed by science, to support brain, muscle, and metabolic health. With no sponsorship, I explain what I take, why I take it, and how each supplement restores what our fast-paced, indoor lifestyles tend to deplete.

Can a common mineral help rewire chronic pain? A 2013 RCT found that intravenous and oral magnesium significantly reduced neuropathic low back pain and improved mobility over six months. Acting as a natural NMDA receptor blocker, magnesium may calm central sensitization—making it a promising, affordable tool in pain management. Explore the study findings and the neuroscience behind this overlooked supplement.

Lingering pain may not just come from your body—but from broken trust. New research reveals that betrayal trauma, especially from those closest to us, is linked to chronic pain. Whether from caregivers, partners, or authority figures, these wounds can disrupt emotional processing and amplify physical symptoms. Healing requires more than medication—it requires being reconnected to safe, validating relationships.

What if your chronic back pain isn’t just structural—but emotional? Research shows that suppressing anger can heighten physical pain through changes in brain activity. Two landmark studies reveal that unresolved emotions, particularly anger, amplify pain signals in the brain’s emotional circuits. But here’s the good news: through awareness and healthy expression, your brain—and your pain—can be rewired.

I recently attended the SIRPA 15th Anniversary Conference and was genuinely blown away. Speaker after speaker offered fresh, insightful perspectives on stress-related conditions like persistent pain, IBS, and chronic fatigue. The day highlighted the urgent need to embrace a balanced biopsychosocial model in healthcare—and the risks when we don't. It left me hopeful that the tide is turning toward more compassionate, comprehensive care.

Most lumbar disc herniations don’t need surgery—your body can heal them naturally. Research shows over 60% of herniated discs shrink or disappear on their own through immune responses like inflammation, enzymatic breakdown, and new blood vessel growth. Understanding this process empowers patients and clinicians to choose conservative care first—backed by science, not fear.

New research shows self-compassion reduces depression, anxiety, and disability in chronic pain. Learn how kindness to self can rewire the brain for relief.

New research challenges the posture-pain myth. Discover why "sitting up straight" isn't the fix and how a flexible, confident approach to mo

Early MRIs for back pain often lead to fear, overtreatment, and worse outcomes. Movement and education are the real keys to recovery.