Every week in the clinic, I see people who’ve tried almost everything to ease their pain – new trainers, orthotics, stretching routines, massages, even a short course of laser or shockwave therapy. Many improve, but for some, the discomfort quietly returns. When that happens, it tells us something important: healing isn’t just about getting rid of pain, it’s about understanding why it appeared in the first place.
Pain is a signal, not an enemy. It’s the body’s way of asking for awareness and balance. Just as we live through seasons of change, our bodies move through cycles of stress, adaptation and repair. Recovery isn’t simply about treatment – it’s about learning, adjusting, and tuning in.
In the world of musculoskeletal and sports medicine, pain is rarely the fault of one isolated tissue or structure. The body works as an integrated system: bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, sleep quality, nutrition, stress levels – all of these influence one another. True recovery happens when we consider all these layers rather than focusing purely on the site of pain.
Take heel pain or plantar fasciitis as a case in point. Shockwave therapy or MLS laser can stimulate healing and reduce inflammation. But lasting improvement often comes when we also examine movement patterns, footwear choices, the strength of the hips and calves, and even how well the person is sleeping. The pain might show up in the heel, but the cause is frequently spread throughout the chain of movement and function.
Understanding the body as an integrated system
But there’s a layer often overlooked: our mindset, our self-awareness and how our thoughts influence our biology. Modern neuroscience and pain science show that what we think, expect and perceive can substantially influence how pain is experienced, processed and resolved. For example, the classic “gate control theory” proposes that the spinal and brain “gates” modulate pain signals — so non-painful input or the brain’s interpretation can reduce or amplify pain. A more recent study found that when individuals reattribute chronic back pain from purely structural causes to brain/mind processes, pain intensity and avoidant behaviour dropped significantly. Another body of research shows that a person’s mindset—whether they believe their pain is permanent and uncontrollable, or view it as manageable and part of a process—can affect outcomes in rehabilitation.
Central sensitisation is another key concept here, often misunderstood or overlooked. It occurs when the nervous system becomes hypersensitive, amplifying pain signals beyond the actual tissue damage. Even after the original injury has healed, the nerves and spinal cord can remain in a heightened state, causing persistent discomfort, stiffness, or tenderness. Patients with central sensitisation often experience widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, or heightened reactions to touch and movement. Recognising this phenomenon is critical because it shifts the focus from just treating the site of pain to modulating the nervous system itself. Approaches such as graded movement, education on pain science, mindfulness, sleep optimisation, and controlled load progression can help “retrain” the nervous system, reduce hyperalgesia, and restore functional resilience.
How mindset influences pain and recovery
Self-awareness plays a key role here. When someone is tuned into how they move, how they stand, how they respond to pain signals (both physically and mentally), they begin to shift from being reactive (just chasing pain relief) to proactive (learning, adjusting, aligning). In pain science terms, we could say they influence their “brain network of pain” rather than simply waiting for an outside fix. Thoughts such as “I’ll never get better” or “This always hurts” are not harmless; they trigger stress responses (autonomic activation, increased cortisol, inflammation) and may reinforce the nervous system into a heightened pain state. Conversely, a mindset that recognises pain as a signal, holds hope, and aligns with actionable steps, activates the body’s reparative, restorative systems.
Let’s bring this back to the clinic context. When I’m treating a patient with ankle instability, chronic Achilles tendon discomfort or even a runner with persistent heel pain. I encourage them not only to look at the orthotic support or the laser sessions, but also to reflect on three key questions:
- What are the thought patterns I am bringing to my body right now? (Am I expecting pain? Am I fearful of movement?)
- What am I choosing to do (or avoid doing) that reflects those thoughts? (Am I walking gingerly, avoiding strength work, resting excessively?)
- How can I re-align my thoughts and actions to support movement, repair and resilience, rather than reinforcing pain?
For example, a patient might believe “my heel will always hurt when I run” and therefore subconsciously hold back in gait, land awkwardly, avoid loading the tissue, which then prevents proper stimulus and healing. By shifting to a different internal dialogue – “this discomfort is a signal; I will rebuild via strength, movement and recovery” – their behaviour changes, and so does the input into the nervous system. That changed input then gradually influences the tissue, the neuromuscular system and the recovering pathway. This doesn’t negate the importance of the physical treatments (shockwave, laser, orthotics), but it amplifies their effect. The body is responding, not just to the hardware (treatment/device) but to the whole system: biomechanics + mind + environment.
Redefining recovery
In practice, within our clinic in Meriden (serving Coventry and Solihull) we integrate the treatments you know – shockwave therapy, MLS laser, bespoke orthotic management, with a focus on movement education, posture awareness, rest hygiene, sleep quality, nutrition support and mental awareness. When you come for treatment you don’t just get a device or an orthotic; you get a partnership. I guide, educate and support; you stay curious about your body, adjust how you move and think, and build strength and resilience in meaningful ways. Together we’re not just alleviating pain – we’re restoring balance, confidence and freedom of movement.
Pain rarely signals defeat. When we treat the person rather than just the pain, we open the door to lasting recovery. So, the next time discomfort appears, take a moment before trying to silence it. It may be your body’s way of inviting you to slow down, rebuild differently, and realign. If you’d like a more complete approach to healing—both through advanced therapy and holistic alignment—our clinic is here for that journey.
Book a consultation and take the next step towards moving freely again.