The Chronic Pain Breakup

Many people notice that alcohol seems to “take the edge off” their pain — but what’s really going on in the brain when that happens? And why does it sometimes backfire later?This episode breaks down the neuroscience of how alcohol influences pain processing, both in the short term and over time.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ➡️ Why alcohol can temporarily calm the pain system and create a short-term pain-relieving effect. ➡️ The brain and nervous system mechanisms behind alcohol’s interaction with pain pathways. ➡️ The long-term consequences of using alcohol for pain relief, including how it can actually worsen sensitivity and pain over time. ➡️ Why alcohol is not a sustainable or effective strategy for managing chronic pain.Whether you’ve wondered why your pain eases after a drink, or you’re curious about the science behind pain relief, this episode will give you clarity — without the myths or oversimplifications.📌 Next Steps: If you’d like to get support and the step-by-step plan, let’s talk.Book a free call to see if my proven 5-phase protocol is the right fit to help you repair your overactive pain pathways—without pills, procedures, endless therapies, or mind-over-matter wishful thinking ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

Do you struggle with chronic pain that just won't go away despite trying everything?   In this episode, I break down my proven 5-phase method for reducing stubborn pain by addressing overactive pain pathways—the missing piece that most doctors and traditional treatments overlook. What You'll Learn: ➡️ Why most treatments for chronic pain fail to provide lasting relief ➡️ The critical role overactive pain pathways play in persistent pain ➡️ My evidence-based 5-phase method developed over a decade of specialized pain research ➡️ Practical steps you can implement to begin breaking the pain cycle ➡️ Why a comprehensive system works better than isolated strategies or quick fixes 📌 Next Steps: If you’d like to get support and the step-by-step plan, let’s talk.Book a free call to see if my proven 5-phase protocol is the right fit to help you repair your overactive pain pathways—without pills, procedures, endless therapies, or mind-over-matter wishful thinking ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

In this inspiring interview, I’m joined by Leslie—an Ironman triathlete, cyclist, and CRPS advocate—who shares how she reclaimed her life after being diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) following foot surgery. Leslie opens up about: ✔️ How she used the strategies inside The Chronic Pain Breakup Method to dramatically reduce her pain, and get back to the activities she loves (yes, including hiking 10 miles and biking 30+ miles!) ✔️ Her biggest “aha” moments that shifted her recovery ✔️ When she realized emotions and anger were holding her back and keeping her from healing ✔️ Why these techniques helped her in ways that other pain courses didn’t ✔️ How she found hope for recovery—and is now helping others do the same If you've been diagnosed with CRPS, Leslie’s story will give you a fresh sense of hope and clarity on what’s possible. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ✨Special Announcement!✨ Leslie has generously offered to sponsor one qualified person with CRPS to join The Chronic Pain Breakup Method online program. 👉 Go here to learn all the details and fill out your application: https://forms.fillout.com/t/2oxE7B999Lus ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️

What causes chronic pain—and why are some people more prone to it than others? Why is it that some people seem to "bounce back" after an injury, while others remain in pain? Why does your body hurt all the time, even when your scans are normal or your doctor says “you’re fine”?It could be that you have overactive pain pathways.If you’ve ever Googled things like:🔍 “Why am I so sensitive to pain?”🔍 “What causes chronic pain when there’s no injury?”🔍 “Why didn’t my pain go away after surgery?”🔍 “Is my nervous system causing my pain?”…then this episode is going to give you the answers you’ve been looking for.In this episode, you’ll learn:➡️ What overactive pain pathways actually are (and how they make your pain stick around long after the original injury)➡️ Why some people develop chronic pain more easily than others➡️ How trauma, stress, and repeated pain experiences change the way your nervous system responds.➡️ What it means if your pain feels way worse than it "should"➡️ And why it’s not your fault that the pain hasn’t gone awayThis is a must-listen if you’re stuck in a loop of appointments, wondering why nothing is working and no one can give you real answers.📌 Next Steps: If you’d like to get real answers and a personalized plan, let’s talk.Book a free call to see if my proven 5-phase protocol is the right fit to help you repair your overactive pain pathways—without pills, procedures, endless therapies, or mind tricks ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

If you’ve been told to just “live with your pain,” or you feel like no treatment has truly helped long-term, this episode is going to change everything.In this final part of this 3-day series, I reveal the third and most powerful building block to ending pain flares—lowering the overall sensitivity of your pain system. We’re going beyond pain management and quick fixes to actually retrain your pain pathways so you can experience less pain, fewer flares, and more good days.I’ll break down the 7 strategies I teach my clients to calm their overactive pain systems and reduce their baseline pain levels—without pills, endless therapies, or wishful thinking.This is the stuff the medical system doesn’t teach you… but it’s what makes the biggest difference.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why traditional treatments don’t work – and what actually changes your pain pathways✅ Why you can’t rely on a single treatment or “magic fix” to resolve chronic pain✅ The 7 most effective strategies for lowering pain sensitivity✅ How to break free from the push-and-crash cycle and regain control over your life📌 Next Steps: Book a free call to see how I can help you finally address your overactive pain pathways using my 5-phase proven protocol.Go here ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

For 3 years, Katie tried everything—gabapentin, injections, endless therapy sessions—but nothing worked. The pain controlled her life, leaving her frustrated, exhausted, and desperate for relief. 💡 Until she discovered THIS game-changing strategy. In this episode, Katie shares: ✅ Why gabapentin and injections failed her (and why so many women are in the same boat) ✅ The turning point that made her ditch ineffective treatments for good ✅ The one strategy that finally helped her relieve chronic back pain & sciatica ✅ What she wishes she had known sooner If you’ve been stuck in the pain-treatment cycle, wondering why nothing works—this episode is for you. There is a way out. 🎧 Tune in now and discover what finally worked for Katie! 📌 Next Steps: If Katie’s story sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep cycling through failed treatments. If you’re ready to finally address the deeper cause of your pain, let’s talk.  Book a free call to see how my proven 5-phase protocol can help you break free from chronic pain for good. ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

If you feel like your pain flares are unpredictable—like they have a mind of their own—this episode is going to be a game changer. In Part 2 of this 3-part series, I’m breaking down how to prevent pain flares before they even start. You’ll learn why pain isn’t as random as it seems, how to shift your focus from “triggers” to amplifiers, and the exact steps to take control of your pain instead of living in fear of the next flare-up. No one teaches this stuff. Doctors don’t explain it. The medical system isn’t set up to help you with it. But you can start anticipating and preventing flares—and today, I’m showing you how. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why tracking “triggers” doesn’t work – and what to focus on instead✅ The push-and-crash cycle that keeps you stuck in a flare-up loop✅ How to identify the hidden factors making your pain worse✅ How to create a pain prevention plan that actually works📌 Next Steps: Book a free call to see how I can help you finally address your overactive pain pathways using my 5-phase proven protocol.Go here ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

MRIs, nerve tests, and even traditional treatments are completely missing 3 HUGE factors that could be keeping you stuck with ongoing pain. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why your pain is NOT all in your head (and what’s actually happening in your body) ✅ The 3 overlooked causes of persistent pain that won’t show up on scans ✅ What to focus on if doctors, physical therapy, and injections haven’t worked The medical system lags 15-20 years behind the research, so if you’ve been left without answers, it’s NOT your fault. 📌 Next Steps: Book a free call to see how I can help you finally address your overactive pain pathways using my 5-phase proven protocol. Go here ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

If you’ve ever felt trapped in a cycle of pain flares—constantly dreading the next spike in pain, feeling like you have no control over your body, and scrambling for solutions that never seem to work—this episode is for you.In Part 1 of this special 3-part series, I break down what pain flares really are, why they happen (hint: they’re not random!), and how you can start taking control with a simple, actionable plan. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ The Truth About Pain Flares – Why they’re not random and what’s really happening in your body.✅ The Biggest Mistakes people make when a flare hits—and why they keep you stuck.✅ How to Build Your Flare-Up Toolkit – The exact steps to create your personal game plan so you’re never left scrambling.📌 Next Steps: Book a free call to see how I can help you finally address your overactive pain pathways using my 5-phase proven protocol.Go here ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

In this episode, I break down why so many people experience post-holiday pain spikes—especially in January—and the five most common times when pain flares up. Understanding these patterns can help you prepare, reduce anxiety, and regain a sense of control. Key Takeaways: ✔️ If your pain flared up in January, it’s not your fault—it’s a pattern that happens to many. ✔️ Understanding pain flare triggers can help you anticipate, prepare, and reduce their impact. ✔️ Pain flare-ups don’t mean you’re back at square one—they’re part of the process, and they will pass. 📌 Next Steps: Book a free call to see how I can help you finally address your overactive pain pathways using my 5-phase proven protocol. Go here ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

🚨 1 in 5 Women Have Overactive Pain Pathways It blows my mind how most women have never even been told about this. As a pain specialist, I’ve seen far too many women spend sleepless nights researching, terrified that something crucial is being missed. That’s why I created this episode—to reveal the truth about overactive pain pathways so you can stop spinning your wheels with the wrong treatments and finally start seeing real relief. Because when the real issue is overlooked, relief remains out of reach. Listen along to learn: ✅ 7 warning signs your pain pathways are overactive ✅ Why treatments keep failing—and why it’s not your fault ✅ What’s actually keeping your pain stuck and how to fix it 📌 Next Steps: Book a free call to see how I can help you finally address your overactive pain pathways using my 5-phase proven protocol. Go here ➡️ https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

After 15 years of unending pain, SEVEN knee surgeries, and a CRPS diagnosis, Shannon thought she’d tried it all. But in this episode, she shares the moment she first realized her pain was finally ending – a feeling she describes as freeing, like stepping off a rollercoaster after years of relentless ups and downs.Listen along as Shannon reflects on her recovery journey, including her biggest ah-ha moments and the keys that helped her dramatically reduce her pain in ways she never thought possible.If you’re struggling with pain and searching for hope to keep going, this episode is a must-listen.🌟 Ready to take the first step toward relief?  Book a free call to discuss your situation and how I might be able to help you get results just like Shannon's: Book a Call [CLICK HERE]

In this episode, I'm diving deep into one of the most crucial barriers to overcoming chronic pain: FEAR. If you’re tired of pain dictating your life, it’s time to break the fear & pain cycle for good. I’ll walk you through the 3 most common ways people cope with fear --that actually make pain worse-- and I'll share 7 proven strategies to help you regain control, create a sense of safety, and build confidence in your body—without the constant dread of flare-ups, reinjury, or losing independence. What You'll Learn in This Episode: What the fear & pain cycle is and how it affects your body and mind How fear amplifies pain and why it’s a barrier to recovery 7 specific strategies to overcome fear and regain control, including: Resources Mentioned: Book a Free Call with Me to discuss your specific pain history and how you can apply these strategies to your recovery. Explore More Episodes on Chronic Pain to gain further insights and strategies for managing stubborn pain. Follow me on Instagram for more tips: @paincrusader Don’t Miss This: Hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode. If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review and share it with someone who’s also struggling with fear and chronic pain!

In this inspiring interview, Kristen shares her powerful journey from being trapped in debilitating chronic pain to reclaiming her life after years of trying every treatment under the sun. Like so many, she felt stuck, overwhelmed, and skeptical after countless failed approaches—but through determination and the right support, everything changed. If you’ve been struggling with chronic pain and feel like you’ve exhausted every option, Kristen’s story might just give you the hope and direction you’ve been searching for. ✨ In this interview, you'll hear about: The extreme frustration of navigating the healthcare system How chronic pain stole her independence and joy as a mother and wife Why she almost gave up hope, but found a new way to manage and reduce her pain The critical mindset shifts that helped her break through pain barriers The practical strategies that transformed her daily life 🌟 Feeling stuck in your own chronic pain journey? You don’t have to do it alone. Book a free consultation call with me to discuss your situation and explore a personalized path to relief: Book a Call [CLICK HERE]

"You have a bad back." ... "Your hips are out of alignment" ... "Your core is weak" ... "You're bone on bone"In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the profound impact that the language and messages we receive from healthcare providers can negatively shape our beliefs, behaviors, identity, and actually even change our biology to make our pain worse!Learn how these harmful "brokenness narratives" lead to feelings of helplessness, internal conflict, and emotional turmoil, limit our treatment options, lead to altered movement patterns, and increase nerve sensitivity, muscle tension, and inflammation - all leading to more pain.Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments: What have you been told by your providers? How have those messages shaped your own "Brokenness Narrative"?How We Can Work Together: Join The Chronic Pain Breakup Method - The most comprehensive program that teaches you to beat chronic pain by addressing the deeper cause, equipping you with knowledge and tools you can use that will put you in control of the pain instead of the pain controlling your every move.  Book a FREE Pain Care Audit - Book a call so we can assess where you’re at and what your needs are Attend the Exclusive Online Training and learn how to break up with your current pain "Managing" routine, and finally breakthrough chronic pain, once and for all, even if you've tried everything and nothing works. Click here to subscribe on iTunes and write a review.Let's Get Connected...Here are some ways to enjoy more FREE resources and content from Alissa Wolfe. Join the FREE Facebook community Follow Alissa on Instagram Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Are you struggling with invisible pain, feeling lost in your search for relief? Has your pain been minimized and normalized? Have you tried endlessly to resolve your pain, only to have it blamed on past traumatic circumstances? Well, you're not alone. In this enlightening conversation, we dive deep into the journey of overcoming chronic back pain, without resorting to quick fixes or invasive procedures, focusing on the often invisible and minimized struggle against SI joint pain and sciatica. Hear firsthand from Hannah, who shares her path from the onset of pain after childbirth, through the frustrating maze of healthcare visits, to ultimately finding a method that reignited their hope and restored her identity. From dismissive healthcare providers to finding hope and tangible solutions, this discussion is an inspiration for anyone feeling lost in their pain management journey. This discussion sheds light on the crucial role of understanding the nervous system's impact on chronic pain, the pitfalls of the healthcare system in addressing such conditions, and the power of confidence and self-awareness in navigating recovery. Gain insights into the importance of listening to your body, the impact of the nervous system on physical pain, and how small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements.   Join us and be inspired by Hannah's journey from pain to empowerment. Don't miss this chance to learn how you too can find lasting relief and reclaim your life. How We Can Work Together: Join The Chronic Pain Breakup Method - The most comprehensive program that teaches you to beat chronic pain by addressing the deeper cause, equipping you with knowledge and tools you can use that will put you in control of the pain instead of the pain controlling your every move.  Book a FREE Pain Care Audit - Book a call so we can assess where you’re at and what your needs are Attend the Exclusive Online Training and learn how to break up with your current pain "Managing" routine, and finally breakthrough chronic pain, once and for all, even if you've tried everything and nothing works. Click here to subscribe on iTunes and write a review.Let's Get Connected...Here are some ways to enjoy more FREE resources and content from Alissa Wolfe. Join the FREE Facebook community Follow Alissa on Instagram Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the five biggest mistakes people make when trying to find lasting relief from stubborn pain. If you’ve been suffering from chronic pain for six months or more and feel lost in a maze of conflicting advice and endless treatments, this episode is for you. I’ll highlight common pitfalls and provide actionable advice to help you move forward on your healing journey.If this episode resonates with you and you’re tired of jumping from one treatment to another without finding lasting relief, book a call with me. Let’s discuss how I can help you implement strategies to experience breakthroughs in your pain and reclaim your life.: https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call   How We Can Work Together: Join The Chronic Pain Breakup Method - The most comprehensive program that teaches you to beat chronic pain by addressing the deeper cause, equipping you with knowledge and tools you can use that will put you in control of the pain instead of the pain controlling your every move.  Book a FREE Pain Care Audit - Book a call so we can assess where you’re at and what your needs are Attend the Exclusive Online Training and learn how to break up with your current pain "Managing" routine, and finally breakthrough chronic pain, once and for all, even if you've tried everything and nothing works. Click here to subscribe on iTunes and write a review.   Let's Get Connected...   Here are some ways to enjoy more FREE resources and content from Alissa Wolfe. Join the FREE Facebook community Follow Alissa on Instagram Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Former client and Chronic Pain Breakup Method grad, Anke, joins me in this episode as we shed some light on the complex and elusive recovery from CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome).In this episode, Anke shares her story about what the path to recovery is really like, what challenges she faced along the way, and misconceptions about recovery potential with CRPS.She shares her tips for others struggling with CRPS including taking accountability in your care rather than relying on doctors and the medical system, being patient and consistent even when progress seems slow or challenges arise, and acknowledging and celebrating each small victory along the way. How We Can Work Together: Join The Chronic Pain Breakup Method - The most comprehensive program that teaches you to beat chronic pain by addressing the deeper cause, equipping you with knowledge and tools you can use that will put you in control of the pain instead of the pain controlling your every move.  Book a FREE Pain Care Audit - Book a call so we can assess where you’re at and what your needs are Attend the FREE Workshop - How To Master Chronic Pain Naturally: Discover The 3 Key Essentials to End Your Struggles With Stubborn Pain (without more pills, procedures, or pain-provoking PT... or becoming a holistic mind-body healer)   Click here to subscribe on iTunes and write a review.   Let's Get Connected... Here are some ways to enjoy more FREE resources and content from Alissa Wolfe. Join the FREE Facebook community Follow Alissa on Instagram Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

The medical system focuses on the mechanical model of pain despite copious amounts of evidence pointing to the involvement of the brain. But these advancements in pain science have caused this huge pendulum wing to the opposite extreme, where claims are being made that ALL pain is ALL in the brain.This is a HUGE jump from one extreme to another and both viewpoints are dangerous oversimplifications of the pain experience. In this episode, we’re discussing the complex nature of pain and how it's not just a physical sensation OR purely a psychological experience and the need for a multifactorial approach, integrating physical, mind-body, and neurological approaches. To dive deeper and get more support regarding your pain care journey, book a free call to connect one-on-one and receive more personalized guidance, so that together, we can craft a more balanced, evidence-based path forward: https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call   How We Can Work Together: Join The Chronic Pain Breakup Method - The most comprehensive program that teaches you to beat chronic pain by addressing the deeper cause, equipping you with knowledge and tools you can use that will put you in control of the pain instead of the pain controlling your every move.  Book a FREE Pain Care Audit - Book a call so we can assess where you’re at and what your needs are Attend the Exclusive Online Training and learn how to breakup with your current pain "Managing" routine, and finally breakthrough chronic pain, once and for all, even if you've tried everything and nothing works. Click here to subscribe on iTunes and write a review.   Let's Get Connected...   Here are some ways to enjoy more FREE resources and content from Alissa Wolfe. Join the FREE Facebook community Follow Alissa on Instagram Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Last but not least, this episode is the final part of a three-part series on CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome). There is a difference between *managing* symptoms and pain, vs. actually *treating* the underlying cause of the pain. Learn 10 new tools you can add to your CRPS Pain Care Tool Box, that will help you go beyond just managing pain, so that you can eventually rely less on pain management and learn to rely on yourself to get long lasting pain relief. Listen to Part 1 Here: https://www.alissawolfe.com/podcasts/the-chronic-pain-breakup/episodes/2148050961 Listen to PART 2 here: https://www.alissawolfe.com/podcasts/the-chronic-pain-breakup/episodes/2148056168 Book a one-on-one call here: https://www.alissawolfe.com/book-call  References:  Lee et al, 2021, 'Impaired Performance in Mental Rotation of Hands and Feet and Its Association with Social Cognition in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome' Lewis eta l, 2021, 'Visual illusions modulate body perception disturbance and pain in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A randomized trial' Taylor et al, 2021, 'Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review' Sayegh et al, 2013, 'Mirror therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)-A literature review and an illustrative case report' Smart et al, 2016, 'Physiotherapy for pain and disability in adults with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) types I and II' Mendez-Rebolledo et al, 2017, 'Update on the effects of graded motor imagery and mirror therapy on complex regional pain syndrome type 1: A systematic review' Cuenca-Martinez et al, 2022, 'Pain relief by movement representation strategies: An umbrella and mapping review with meta-meta-analysis of motor imagery, action observation and mirror therapy' Shaifee et al, 2023, 'The Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Interventions on Pain and Disability for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis' Ruf et al, 2023, 'Mirror Therapy in Patients with Somatoform Pain Disorders-A Pilot Study' Shepherd et al, 2020, 'The clinical application of pain neuroscience, graded motor imagery, and graded activity with complex regional pain syndrome-A case report' Lotze et al, 2022, 'Clinical and Neurophysiological Effects of Progressive Movement Imagery Training for Pathological Pain' Schmid et al, 2017, 'Pain reduction due to novel sensory-motor training in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I - A pilot study'   How We Can Work Together: Join The Chronic Pain Breakup Method - The most comprehensive program that teaches you to beat chronic pain by addressing the deeper cause, equipping you with knowledge and tools you can use that will put you in control of the pain instead of the pain controlling your every move.  Book a FREE Pain Care Audit - Book a call so we can assess where you’re at and what your needs are Attend the Exclusive Online Training and learn how to breakup with your current pain "Managing" routine, and finally breakthrough chronic pain, once and for all, even if you've tried everything and nothing works.   Click here to subscribe on iTunes and write a review.   Let's Get Connected...   Here are some ways to enjoy more FREE resources and content from Alissa Wolfe. Join the FREE Facebook community Follow Alissa on Instagram Subscribe to my YouTube Channel