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.

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.

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

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.

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