WARNING: Ignore your pain and you will suffer.

In a new development in my journey curing my chronic pain, I’ve discovered that my pain has in fact created more pain. The inflammation from arthritis of my temporomandibular joints (TMJ) caused elongation of my styloid process on both sides of my face. In other words, I now suffer from a super rare and painful thing called Eagle Syndrome on top of my already agonizing TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder). A sharp bone that isn’t supposed to be there at all now pushes against my nerves, muscles and other bones from my ears all the way down my neck. An utterly disturbing metaphor for life that pain really can manifest more pain if not taken care of. A reminder of how important it is to acknowledge and validate pain and then work towards healing.


Whether you’re suffering from physical or emotional pain, this is your wake up call. Not only does pain unaddressed go unresolved, but it can literally create more pain and more trauma. More grueling and unnecessary mountains to climb than if the journey started at first signs of discomfort. 


Pain unaddressed can be as simple as refusing to release. Pushing back on unwanted emotions. Swallowing tears or letting anger fester inside. As humans, we can only hold so much in. We must release in order to move forward. How can we fly if we are weighed down? Read more on how I suggest we Let Go. 


Pain unaddressed can also be the choice to ignore our bodies need for rest. Whether that be neglecting a physical injury instead of giving it time to heal or pushing ourselves too hard when we’re exhausted and getting no sleep, our bodies are our temple. If we don’t treat our body kindly, how can we expect to feel good? 


A gentle rule of thumb is if something feels wrong, there is room to improve. Side tabling pain and marking it low priority in a busy schedule will only cause more chaos down the road. A priority you most likely won’t get to choose anymore but will have to fit in, now more aggressively and time consuming than before. Take care of pain when you feel it. Our feelings guide us if we trust and follow them.