Introducing Pain Story Project: Changing the Narrative on Pain

Pain Story Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the incidence of chronic pain through education and coaching. The truth is, when we hurt, we devise stories about why we have pain. It is a natural human reaction. These stories help us to cope and make sense of our situation. Consider this: when someone asks you about your ongoing pain, do you have a narrative to tell that relays the details of your predicament and provides a justification for your pain? Most likely you do, because . . .

We all need an answer to the question of why we hurt. Yet, the stories we construct are based on our current perspective. Sadly, this outlook--as well as the opinions, beliefs, knowledge, biases, and emotions that it contains--may be stalling your ability to recover. Pain Story Project provides a safe environment to begin drafting a new narrative. Pain Story Project provides a safe environment to begin drafting a new narrative. We do this by providing programs and resources that can help you see new possibilities, hear various perspectives, discover updated concepts, and try out different story lines.

Our Mission
Our mission is to create a global shift in perspective about pain. We believe that adopting an updated understanding of the complex nature of persisting pain through education and coaching can lead to lasting relief.

My Inspiration to Launch Pain Story Project

Over my many years of assisting people in pain, I've realized that overcoming chronic pain requires the adoption of an updated mindset and treatment approach. When practicing as an exercise physiologist/posture therapist, it was not merely the physical techniques I provided my clients, but the hope, education, and validation that I instilled in them that fostered increased confidence and enabled their healing. This was particularly evident during the pilot group coaching program I offered in early 2021.

During the online program, the group had six one-hour sessions over consecutive weeks. The sessions consisted of a variety of activities: 

• Participants sharing their successes and challenges with chronic pain
• Teaching of basic pain science principles
• Partner activities and discussions
• Homework assignments

Here’s what some of the participants had to say about the program.

"I experienced life changing realizations and moments that will forever help me manage and resolve pain in my body and live an active lifestyle."
–Debbie 

“So much of our pain is held in our conceptions of it; when our thoughts and stresses around it shift, the pain definitely loosens up.”
–Arifa

“Getting to share with participants in the group our stories, our questions, and our thoughts, or our fears, has emboldened us each to move forward.”
–Martha

“I gained so much information and confidence from Jessica's program!”
–Sharon 

In addition, upon completion of the group, I compared the pre- and post-scores for three standard pain measurement assessments. The results showed that all of the participants had greater pain knowledge and reduced fear about pain and movement. These were encouraging results for such a short program! And these results convinced me of the power and need to share this information. Hence, the launch of Pain Story Project and Story Groups.

Initial Program - Story Groups

Based on a group coaching format, Pain Story Project will offer monthly online Story Groups starting in October. These sessions are focused on one Pain Story-themed question with the intention of discovering your view on the topic while also providing education and exposure to other perspectives. 

To revise your narrative and thus relieve persisting pain, an updated understanding of the elements that make up your current tale may be necessary. In our groups we will examine these story pieces, including the setting, characters, tone, conflict, and more. Each of these story components can have a significant, though often unrecognized influence on your pain experience. By softly breaking down these seemingly fixed elements, a new story line can emerge.

Learn more and register for our next group.

Discover More About Pain Story Project

Although it took many years of formulation and lots of learning, which culminated in my trip to Australia as a member of the Pain Revolution 2024 peloton, I’m pleased to now invite you to visit the Pain Story Project website. There’s lots to do there:

• Register for our first Story Group on October 1, 2025
• Subscribe to our email list
• Read our kick-off blog
• Meet our board
• Make a tax-deductible donation  

I hope you will join me in this new initiative!