Living with Chronic Pain: Understanding the Invisible and Navigating the Daily

Chronic pain is more than just a symptom-it’s an experience that can affect every part of a person’s life. 

It can be isolating, unpredictable, exhausting… and invisible. 

Whether you're living with it or supporting someone who is, understanding the complex nature of chronic pain-and how to manage it-can make a world of difference. 

At Active Health Clinic, we work with people navigating chronic and invisible illnesses every single day. Here's what we know, and what we want you to know too. 

What Is Chronic Pain? Understanding Causes and Symptoms

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for three months or longer, often despite the original injury or cause having healed. But it’s not just about how long it lasts. 

For many, chronic pain becomes its own condition, rooted in a complex mix of: 

• Nervous system sensitivity (also called central sensitisation) 

• Immune dysregulation 

• Stress and trauma history 

• Genetic and biological predispositions 

• Comorbidities like fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, or mobility limitations 

It can be sharp, dull, burning, aching, stabbing-or all of these at once. It might move around the body. It might flare without warning. It’s rarely visible on a scan. And it’s certainly not “all in your head.” 

 

The Hidden Impact of Pain 

Because it’s invisible, chronic pain is often misunderstood. People with pain may look well, but behind the scenes they’re navigating: 

• Fatigue from poor sleep and symptom load 

• Cognitive dysfunction (hello, brain fog) 

• Emotional overwhelm from unpredictability and invalidation 

• Grief over the life they used to have 

• The sheer energy it takes to keep functioning 

It’s important to remember: how someone talks about their pain is not a measure of their strength or their suffering. Whether someone says they’re at a 3 or a 10, the goal is the same-help them feel seen, supported, and in control. 

 

Chronic Pain Management: Evidence-Based Strategies

Pain management isn’t one-size-fits-all-but there are evidence-informed strategies that can help you take back some control and stability. 

Here are some practical, compassionate tips we often recommend: 

 

🧘 Pacing & Rest 

Pain is often worsened by overdoing it-and under-doing it. 

• Break up tasks. Take regular breaks. Alternate positions. 

• Avoid pushing through pain, but also avoid total inactivity. Your body benefits from gentle movement. 

• Plan your days based on your bad days, not your best ones. 

 

💧 Hydration, Nutrition & Comfort 

The small things are often the big things. 

• Drink water, eat nourishing foods, and don’t skip meals-pain is harder to manage on an empty tank. 

• Seek out comfort items: a favourite show, a weighted blanket, warm socks, your pet, a good playlist, a cosy space. 

• Comfort is not a cure-but it helps. 

 

♨️ Promote Blood Flow 

Heat is often your best friend. 

• Use heat packs, warm showers, baths, electric blankets. 

• Gentle movement, light stretching, or massage can help improve circulation and ease stiffness (as tolerated). 

 

🧠 Address Stress and Anxiety 

Stress and pain are closely connected-when one rises, so does the other. 

• Explore breathwork, meditation, journaling, or mindfulness practices. 

• Try short guided meditations (apps like Insight Timer, Curable, or Smiling Mind can help). 

• Talking to a psychologist or counsellor can also provide clarity and support. 

 

🏃♀️ Move-Gently, Mindfully 

Movement matters, but it needs to be the right kind. 

• Aerobic, resistance, and mobility exercises are known to help manage chronic pain-but must be tailored and paced. 

• An Exercise Physiologist can support you with safe, achievable plans. 

 

💊 Medication and Supplements 

You don’t have to do this without support. 

• Speak to your GP or pharmacist about appropriate pain medications, topical creams, or supplements like magnesium. 

• Always individualised-what works for one may not for another. 

 

📱 Use Free Tools & Resources 

Here are some of our favourites: 

• Pain Australia Fact Sheets & Apps: painaustralia.org.au 

• Chronic Pain Australia: chronicpainaustralia.org.au 

• Tame The Beast: tamethebeast.org 

• Curable App: curablehealth.com 

Plus, if you're in Australia: 

• PainLink Helpline: 1300 340 357 

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 

• Musculoskeletal Australia: 1800 263 265 

 

Chronic Pain Specialists and Clinics: Who Can Help?

Managing chronic pain takes a team approach. Your care team might include: 

• GP or General Physician

• Chronic Pain Specialist or Rheumatologist 

• Psychologist or Psychiatrist 

• Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist / Exercise Physiologist 

• Dietitian 

• Myotherapist, Osteopath or Chiropractor

• A Chronic Pain Clinic (like Active Health Clinic)

You deserve to feel safe, heard and believed by your health providers. If you’re not, it might be time to seek a second opinion. 

 

What If You’re Supporting Someone with Chronic Pain? 

Here’s how you can help: 

• Validate: “That sounds really hard. I’m here for you.” 

• Ask: “How can I support you today?” 

• Offer: “Would you like suggestions, or just someone to talk to?” 

• Walk beside them-not in front or behind. Let them lead the way. 

 

You’re Not Alone. And You’re Not Imagining It. 

If you’re living with chronic pain, we want you to know: 

✨ Your pain is real. 

 ✨ There is hope for better days. 

 ✨ And support is out there. 

You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis to start managing your pain. You don’t need to suffer in silence. Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or deep in the trenches, help is possible-and progress is possible. 

You are more than your pain. 

 And you are never, ever alone. 

 

Let’s make the invisible visible, together.

As always, sending love & spoons,
Raeya, COO of AHC