Why Do We Look For Evidence?

Recognizing the brain and nervous system’s role in pain helps us understand that our bodies are not broken. Change is possible. Our bodies are incredibly resilient, designed to adapt not only to our environment but also to the stressors we face. Sometimes, the nervous system becomes overly protective. Our goal is to gently turn down this “protectometer.”

By exploring the past and present stressors that may be keeping our system on high alert, we can begin to identify what’s triggering our internal “fire alarm” and guide our body back to a sense of safety.

As you move through this journey, pay attention to patterns and inconsistencies. For instance, does your pain always flare at social events? Can you recall a time it didn’t, or when it wasn’t as intense? What about other common triggers? Are there exceptions?

These inconsistencies are powerful evidence. When you engage in something your brain has labeled as dangerous but don’t experience a flare, it shows that the activity itself isn’t inherently harmful. It’s the brain’s perception of threat that’s driving the response, not the activity itself.

JOURNAL PROMPT

What evidence stood out the most? What surprised you the most?