What is Chronic Pain?

Primary chronic pain, is used to broadly classify conditions in which the pain itself has become the primary disease and includes conditions like fibromyalgia, nonspecific lower back pain, IBS and migraines. It is estimated that up to 42% of people in the UK experience chronic pain, with 10-14% reporting moderate to severely disabling persistent pain. As many people with chronic pain become resistant to pain medications or intolerant of their side effects, seeking non-pharmacological options can be beneficial.

How does pain become 'chronic'? The Brain’s Role in Ongoing Pain

When pain signals fire repeatedly, the brain’s protective “alarm” grows stronger through a process called central sensitisation.
This means the nervous system becomes hypersensitive, amplifying normal sensations into pain and lowering the threshold for discomfort.
Over time, these changes can spread beyond the original pain site, affecting the areas of the brain involved in sleep, mood, memory, and emotions.
That’s why persistent pain is often linked with poor sleep, anxiety, low mood, and “brain fog.”
It’s not that the pain is “all in your head,” but that the brain and body are communicating differently.

The good news? Neuroplasticity —the brain’s ability to rewire—means those pain circuits can be calmed and retrained.

The Power of a Multidisciplinary Clinic for Chronic Pain

At Belfast Chiropractic Clinic, clients can benefit from integrated care.

• Chiropractic adjustments help restore healthy movement and reduce mechanical stress.
• Massage and soft-tissue work ease muscle tension and improve circulation.
• Nutritional guidance to help reduce inflammation, optimise mitochondrial function and support overall nervous-system health
• Clinical hypnotherapy, which I provide, calms the fight–flight response and helps the nervous system unlearn its pain-overdrive pattern.

These therapies complement one another, creating a supportive environment where both body and brain can learn new, healthier responses.

How Hypnotherapy Helps with Chronic Pain

Hypnotherapy works directly with the nervous system to:

• Shift the body out of “danger mode,” reducing the amplification of pain signals.
• Help create new, more resilient neural pathways that decrease the brain’s sensitivity to pain.
• Support emotional well-being, better sleep, and a calmer mind.

Most clients notice meaningful improvement in an average of 6–8 weekly sessions, and the skills they learn—such as self-hypnosis—offer long-term tools for managing stress and preventing flare-ups.

Ready to Explore Your Options to Reduce Pain?

Contact us to discuss and integrated approach to supporting long-term pain, or arrange a discovery call with Sharon to find out more about how hypnotherapy can support persistent pain. Call 028 9064 1111 or email: admin@belfastchiropracticclinic.com.

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