Beyond Chasing Symptoms: A Guide to the Root Cause of Chronic Pain

When it comes to pain, what you feel isn’t always the full story. One of the most common questions I hear in the clinic is: “Why are you treating my back when my pain is in my leg (or shoulder, or neck)?” It’s a great question—and the answer lies in how your body and brain work together to identify the root cause of chronic pain.

Pain is felt in the body, but interpreted by the brain

Pain Is Real, but the Root Cause of Chronic Pain can be Misinterpreted

Pain is experienced in a specific part of the body, but it’s actually processed and interpreted by your brain. Think of your brain as your body’s mainframe computer—constantly taking in information from your joints, muscles, nerves, and even your environment.

But here’s the tricky part: sometimes the brain gets confused. With all that incoming data, your brain might misinterpret where the problem is, sending out a pain signal to a general region—even if the root cause of chronic pain is actually located elsewhere in the kinetic chain.

Phantom Pain: A Powerful Example

Take phantom limb syndrome as an example. People who’ve lost a limb often still feel sensations—sometimes even pain—in the area where the limb used to be. While that’s an extreme case, it shows just how powerful and, at times, misleading the brain’s interpretation of pain can be.

If you’re experiencing pain in your shoulder, but we’re working on your upper back or neck, there is a clinical reason for it. The source of the issue isn’t always where you feel it, and our goal is to resolve the root cause of chronic pain, not just provide a temporary fix for the symptom.

Healing Takes Time—and Recalibration

If you’re in treatment and still feeling symptoms, that doesn’t mean things aren’t improving. Often, the affected tissues begin to recover before the pain actually disappears. This is especially common when addressing the root cause of chronic pain that has developed over months or years.

Your brain needs time to adjust—what we call a “recalibration.” It’s learning to trust the new, more efficient movement patterns we’re creating through treatment and exercise. During this process, your pain may shift, linger, or even seem inconsistent. That’s a normal part of the brain and body syncing back up.

Trust the Process—and Your Body

Pain is complex, but your body is incredibly intelligent and capable of healing. If you’re not getting instant relief, don’t lose hope. Stay consistent with your treatment plan, give your brain and body time to recalibrate, and trust that real progress is happening beneath the surface.

We're here to guide you through every step—because true recovery isn’t just about chasing symptoms. It’s about treating the root cause of chronic pain and helping your body move forward for good.

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