When pain feels bigger than it should. Lets work on what turns the volume up.
Psychology-led hypnotherpay and coaching to help you cope with pain, and with the fear, stress and self doubt that can make it harder.
Jacquie Whur MSc Psych GMBPsS
Southwell or online.
Registered with the General Hypnotherapy Standards council and CNHC
Graduate member of the British Psychological Society. Fully Insured.
Pain is more than a signal from the body
Pain is real, it is never 'all in the head', but how much it hurts and how much it takes over your life, is shaped by more than the body.
Stress, tiredness, worry and fear all play a part, because the brain is constantly deciding how much danger it thinks you are in.
How fear can turn the volume up
When something hurts, it is natural to be afraid of it, but fear can start a loop:
- You feel pain and the alarm system switches on.
- You worry it will get worse, or never stop.
- You tense up and avoid what you think might hurt.
- Your body gets less used to moving, and your nervous system stays on alert.
- The pain feeld bigger, and the fear grows.
The same loop can happen with feelings. If rejetion hurts, you may avoid people, avoid speaking up, or hide. Avoiding brings short term relief, but it keeps the fear alive.
A helpful picture is a volume dial
Pain signals travel to the brain, and the brain can turn them up or down before you feel them. Fear, stress and worry tend to turn the dial up. Feeling safe, calm and supported can help turn it down. Pain scientists have refined this idea, with the main points still standing, that your brain actively shapes how much pain you feel. It explains why the same pain can feel so different on different days.
The fear of being seen
Many people carry a quiet fear of being judged rejected or noticed. It can show up as perfectionism, people pleasing, staying quiet, or putting off things that matter to you. That fear hurts too, and it takes energy every day.
When feelings and pain feed each other
Loneliness, shame and harsh self-criticism are linked with more pain and harder coping. In large studies, people who feel lonely are more likely to develop long term pain later. That doesn't mean loneliness causes it, but it shows how closely mind, body and connection are linked.
There is also some encouraging research, that putting a name to a feeling can settle the brain's alarm response, and kindness towards yourself is linked with coping better. In small studies, feeling supported seemed to ease the experience of pain. None of this is a cure, but it explains why learning to notice, name and care for what you feel is part of my approach.
How hypnotherapy & coaching can help
Hypnosis is a deeply relaxed, focused state in which you stay aware and in control. Research suggests it may help some people cope with chronic pain, alongside medical care. In my work we use it to:
- Calm an alarm system that is stuck on high alert
- Change how you respond to pain and to worry about pain
- loosen the fear of rejection and of being seen
- Build confidence to do what you've been avoiding
Between sessions, I give you practical tools to use at home, and recordings.
What to expect
- A free discovery call (15-30 mins). We talk by phone about what you're dealing with, and you can ask me anything. There's no pressure to book.
- A short intake form. It covers your pain, sleep, stress and lifestyle, and any medical care you're getting.
- Your sessions. Tailored to you, in my clinic in Southwell or online by zoom.
Questions people ask
Will you take my pain away? I can't promise that, and no one can. My work is about changing how you respond to pain and the fear around it, which may help you cope better. Everyone responds differently.
Should I see my GP first? Yes, pian can have medical causes, so if it is new or unexplained, please see your GP or call NHS111. Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical care, and I never advise changing medication.
Is it all in my mind? No pain is real. What we work on is your brain and nervous system response to it.
Can I work with you alongside other treatment? Yes. I work alongside your GP, physiotherapist or pain clinic, never instead of them.
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