Thank you so much for sticking with me this far. We’ve come on quite a journey in such a few lessons.

In this final chapter I’d like to round up everything we’ve spoken about in the shortest possible format, so it’s all in one place for you in the future. So let’s get started.

#1 Remember Pain Is A Conversation

First of all, remember pain is the ancient Cave Person in your mind worrying about your body, and it speaks in a grunts and groans language called Pain Sensation –– which you can learn to understand.

Your job is to help your cave person feel at ease, by presenting it with credible evidence that you’re safe.

#2 Build A Case For Safety

Using something like the Protectometer, can help you understand what your Cave Person is worried about.

Once you see all your concerns in one place the persistence of your pain will often begin to make sense.

Once it’s all down on paper go seek the people and most importantly, the experiences, that move your concerns across the board to the safety zone.

Doing so brings peace to the Cave Person, and the conversation will begin to die down.

#3 Dream Team

To help move those sticky-notes you’re likely going to have to build a team of professionals around you.

Your Dream team should consist of:

• A Fire Fighter who can bring pain flare ups under control. But use them sparingly if you want them to be effective.
• One or more Construction Workers who can help rebuild your physical, psychological and emotional resilience. Helping the body mend and rebuilding your confidence in it is what these people do.
• Friends and Family – let them know what you’re trying to achieve so you can build a support system around you. Their job is to help you build a sense of safety too, so you might need to avoid those who bring you down or suck your energy for a little while. You know who I mean!
• And finally Your Good Self. You are the most important part of the team. If you don’t actively seek safety, and the experiences that inspire safety, then none of your team will be effective (apart from maybe your Fire Fighter)

And Finally.

I’ve seen persistent pain fade into the background of hundreds of clients and I’ve seen it stubbornly hang around in many others.

The protocol I’m describing here isn’t one I made up. It’s one I learnt directly from Prof. Lorimer Moseley and that I found effective through witnessing this pattern in hundreds of clients over the past 20 years in practice.

The people who are willing to move towards safety invariably improve. The ones who are fearful of change or are unwilling to work through their anxieties rarely do.

And it’s not just me noticing this. Modern pain neuroscience, like that of Professor Lorimer Moseley and others, is pushing a very similar message of safety out into the profession.

You can learn more about this work by visiting https://www.tamethebeast.org

Get In Touch.

If you want to learn more about overcoming your persistent pain, or would like help diving into your protectometer, then we’re here to help.

Click the button in the bottom right hand corner of this page to get in touch.

Thanks for reading and I wish you all the best in overcoming your persistent pain.

In health and happiness,

Chris Newton, Sussex Pain Coach.