Ever found yourself frustrated that your chronic pain or symptoms aren't resolving as quickly as the success stories you've heard? You're not alone, and more importantly—you're not doing anything wrong. 

The truth about neuroplastic healing is that while some people experience rapid improvement, many of us face a slower, more complex journey. After working with countless clients, we've identified several factors that can extend recovery timelines: past trauma, mental health challenges, ongoing social dangers in relationships or work, and the simple fact that long-standing symptoms create deeper neural pathways that take more time to rewire.

When most research studies showcase dramatic improvements in just 8 sessions, it's easy to feel discouraged if that's not your experience. But these studies don't capture the full spectrum of healing journeys. Your brain and nervous system are uniquely yours, shaped by your specific life experiences, and they will heal on their own timeline.

The hope-disappointment cycle many sufferers experience—getting excited about a new treatment only to be crushed when it doesn't work—can create its own layer of nervous system dysregulation that needs addressing. And when you're working to create safety in a chronically activated nervous system while simultaneously managing anxiety, trauma responses, or challenging life circumstances, healing naturally takes longer.

This isn't bad news—it's simply reality. We've seen people heal completely after years of consistent work, even when their initial progress was slow. The key is understanding that you're on your own path, focusing on your unique small wins rather than comparing yourself to others, and addressing all the factors that might be keeping your nervous system in danger mode.

Ready to embrace your healing journey with more patience and self-compassion? Subscribe to our podcast for more insights that normalize the complexities of recovery while offering practical guidance for moving forward, no matter how long it takes.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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