What Is Causing My Chronic Pain? | Stress, the Nervous System & the Mind-Body Connection #38

Why does chronic pain continue long after an injury has healed? Could stress, emotions and your nervous system be playing a bigger role than you realise? In this episode of Midlife Answers, I’m joined by Stress and Chronic Pain Coach Jeannie Kulwin to explore the science behind chronic pain, neuroplasticity and the mind-body connection. This is also a deeply personal conversation for me. After living with chronic back pain and sciatica for the past 18 months, I reached a point where I needed to look beyond scans, medication and treatments. Discovering neuroplasticity has completely changed the way I think about pain and, for the first time in a long time, given me genuine hope. Together, we explore why chronic pain is always real, how stress and fear can influence the nervous system, and the simple first steps that can help break the cycle of persistent pain. **In this episode:** - What chronic pain actually is - The difference between structural pain and neuroplastic pain - How stress and emotions can affect physical symptoms - Why MRI scans don't always explain ongoing pain - The role of perfectionism, people-pleasing and fear - Practical first steps to begin supporting recovery Whether you're living with back pain, sciatica, migraines, IBS or another persistent symptom, this episode offers reassurance, practical guidance and hope. **Resources from Jeannie Kulwin** 🎥 **Watch the FREE workshop replay:** *Exactly What to Do When Symptoms Flare* https://jeannie-kulwin.lpcontent.net/tms-when-symptoms-flare 📞 **Interested in Jeannie's Chronic Pain Group Coaching Programme or 1:1 support?** Book a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/jkulwin/coaching 📱 **Follow Jeannie on Instagram:** https://www.instagram.com/jeanniekulwincoaching/ 🌐 **Visit Jeannie's website:** https://www.jeanniekulwin.com/ 🎧 **Follow this** link **to explore more episodes of **Midlife Answers** wherever you get your podcasts.** **Continue listening:** - **Why Am I So Angry in Midlife? Choosing Joy Over "Why Me?" (#35)** ✨ **RISE** is my midlife coaching programme, helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with greater clarity, courage and self-belief. Discover more at midlifeanswers.com. ☕ If you enjoy *Midlife Answers* and would like to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee via this link. Your support helps cover the behind-the-scenes costs of creating these conversations and allows me to keep bringing expert answers to the questions women are asking in midlife. Have a midlife question you'd love covered in a future episode? Send it via the link in the show notes or DM me on Instagram **@**midlifeanswers. If anything discussed in this episode raises concerns about your own health or brings up difficult feelings, please speak with your GP, another qualified healthcare professional, or a registered therapist who can provide personalised advice and support.