An Inspiring Client Story: Exploring the Possibilities of Mind–Body Pain Recovery
One of the most powerful ways to understand what’s possible in chronic pain recovery is through real-life experience. Pain Reprocessing Therapy and mind–body approaches are still unfamiliar to many people, yet for those living with persistent pain, they can open the door to hope, understanding, and lasting change.
The following client review shares a deeply personal journey out of the chronic pain cycle and into recovery through an integrated mind–body approach, alongside physiotherapy and coaching support. It offers insight into how neuroplastic pain develops, how the nervous system can be retrained, and how gentle, compassionate strategies can create safety, confidence, and renewed trust in the body.
This story is shared with permission to educate, inspire, and reassure others who may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about their pain. While everyone’s path is unique, this experience highlights what can happen when we work with the brain and body rather than against them — and when healing is approached with patience, curiosity, and kindness.
Tony’s Pain Recovery Story
Since September 2022, I had been stuck in the persistent pain cycle. Tension caused me to experience back pain, and my pain created more tension. I started reading about mind–body solutions. I discovered a book by John Sarno (Healing Back Pain) that resonated with me, especially when he talked about the brain sending the ‘wrong’ signals to the body sometimes. The reason this caught my attention was something my physiotherapist said in an early session. He characterised my condition like this: “The alarm bells keep ringing, but the fire has gone out….”
When I read about neuroplastic pain, I was beginning to see that there were practitioners looking into this problem. They were building an evidence base to generate theories about it. Neuroplastic pain occurs when the brain misinterprets safe nerve signals as dangerous, leading to chronic pain without a clear physical cause. That led me, in turn, to SIRPA.
There were two things I found when I worked with Lindsay (from May 2025):
A coach who had experienced what I had been through. It was important to me to work with someone who knew what it felt like to have chronic and acute pain.
Support with the psychological aspect of recovery alongside my physiotherapy. In other words, an integrated mind–body approach.
I was ready to embrace brain reprocessing therapy, or to put it more simply, I learned that I needed some tools and strategies to persuade my brain that my back no longer needed pain signals to protect me. Lindsay helped me to navigate a healing path with the required strategies, but what reached deep inside of me was her consistent reminders to forge a gentle approach that created a space for personal growth. It was clear that she had been on a similar journey herself, which gave me the confidence to trust her advice.
Lindsay coached me to understand the importance of language, such as using the term ‘TIS’ or Temporary Increase in Sensations instead of flare-up. It’s common for many of us to wish that we could ‘fix’ our backs, whereas these methods encourage us instead to heal the mind and body. For example, I understand better now that when I feel safer, pain and anxiety begin to ease. In this way, I was being encouraged to reframe my beliefs.
Visualisation helped me to imagine a place of calm and peace. I learned to use more reassuring phrases, be kinder to myself, and show self-compassion, which I had not really ever done before. One of the most helpful and most-used approaches at the beginning was the pause, breathe, feel, reassure tool. Through Lindsay’s Vibrant Coaching programme, I found that guided meditation, such as Yoga Nidra, and somatic relaxation exercises really helped calm my nervous system down. Through the process, I was able to rebuild trust in movement and, yes, even celebrate my few successes.
I am securely on the healing path now and still using the tools Lindsay has taught me. In the not-too-distant future, I want to go hiking, play more advanced table tennis, and finally come off my meds for good. Three years ago, I could barely walk 100 steps a day. Over the Christmas and New Year period of 2025–26, I averaged 7,500 steps a day.
Tony – 64 – Degenerative Disc Disease / L5/SI Disc Bulge Compression.
If you are experiencing persistent pain, why not book a complimentary discovery call to explore your options? https://calendly.com/lindsay-vibrantcoaching/30min