The Elusive Chronic-Pain Cure

by Ira Feinstein, MFA

I've lived with chronic pain for over two decades. The pain isn't wholly debilitating: I can go on long walks, ride a bicycle, and practice gentle yoga. But I avoid hikes with steep elevation changes. I move two large pillows around the house to use wherever I sit. And it's been a long time since I engaged in more intense exercises, like running. 

For fifteen years, I focused on curing my chronic pain. To me, 'curing' the pain meant being able to return to the bench-pressing, soccer-playing athlete I was before my back and arms started hurting. As my health insurance and budget allowed, I sought help from chiropractors, osteopaths, allopathic doctors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and physical therapists. At best, the pain would abate temporarily, but I remained undeterred. I'd always thought that 'cure' was such a powerful word—reassuring in its definitiveness. "Once, I had this problem. Now, I don't," had a nice ring. But 'cure' proved to be an unhelpful goal when it came to chronic pain. 

What I failed to grasp at the time was that even if I were to completely eradicate my chronic pain, 'cure' didn't mean unchanged. There was no going back to the person I was pre-pain. I was being given the opportunity to learn how to take care of my present self, not return to a self that no longer existed. 

When I began practicing the Feldenkrais Method, I brought this cure-focused self with me. I went into each lesson looking to fix something specific. If I got up off the floor and still ached, I was quick to dismiss the lesson as inconsequential. But as I continued to attend the classes, I discovered that my focus on finding a 'cure' was becoming an impediment. 

I shifted my focus away from creating a specific outcome and toward following my curiosity. I immersed myself more fully into what I was sensing during each lesson. At the end, instead of getting frustrated by any lingering pain, I noticed there were subtle shifts in how I was moving and holding myself. My stride felt more comfortable. My shoulders felt broader. My attention was on what felt different, what felt new. Over time, these shifts have created profound changes, leading to numerous pain-free days. Instead of the 'cure' I had been looking for, I found a practice to support me as I navigated through this ever-evolving state of embodiment.

If you're curious about how the Feldenkrais Method might help you navigate your chronic pain experience anew, I invite you to try the first lesson in Raz Ori's current series, Changing Habits of Chronic Pain, for free. 

If you like the lesson, consider joining us for the series. Whether you join us live or via recording, all registrants have lifetime access to recordings. 

As always, if you'd like to join us but can't do so because of a lack of funds, scholarships are available. Go here to find out more about our scholarship program.