Pain: Is it just all in your head?

If you’ve ever experienced persistent or complex pain, chances are someone—maybe even a healthcare professional—has suggested it’s “just in your head.” Whether said outright or implied, it’s an incredibly invalidating experience that can leave you feeling unheard and misunderstood.

But what if that idea isn’t completely wrong—just wildly misunderstood?

In this episode, we explore what pain actually is, how we process it, and why it’s far more than just a signal from an injured body part. Pain is an output of the brain, a protective response to perceived or actual threat. It’s not just physical—it’s a personal experience shaped by biology, psychology, and environment.

It's complex, confusing, and often frustrating but also incredibly empowering to understand just how much can be done to manage pain and reduce fear about movement. 

If you want some more resources, I'd recommend to: 

• 🎥 Watch “Why Things Hurt” — A brilliant 14-minute TEDx talk by physiotherapist, neuroscientist, and pain science communicator Lorimer Moseley.
  👉 Watch here
  
  
• 📲 Follow Adam Meakins (@adammeakins) — A UK-based sports physio known for evidence-based, no-nonsense takes on rehab, pain, and performance.
  👉 Instagram Profile