04/11/2025
Why We Wait Until Pain Becomes Unbearable
I’ve often noticed — both in clients and those closest to me — how easily we ignore the first whispers of discomfort in our bodies. A dear friend of mine, for instance, often suffers from back pain. She’ll push through her days, wincing quietly, telling herself it’s nothing, until the pain grows so strong that she can barely move. Only then does she reach out for help, desperate for relief.
It’s a pattern many of us know all too well. We soldier on, hoping the pain will pass, until it shouts so loudly we can no longer ignore it. But what if those first gentle murmurs — the tight shoulders, the headaches, the tension in the lower back — were invitations, not inconveniences? Invitations from the body to pause, listen, and tend to ourselves with care.
The Layers Beneath the Pain
Pain rarely begins in the body alone. It is often the final language of something deeper — emotional strain, mental overload, or spiritual disconnection. When life feels overwhelming, our bodies absorb the strain. We tighten, brace, hold our breath, or stay in constant “doing” mode, pushing through exhaustion.
Many people feel they don’t have permission to stop until something is physically wrong. We’ve been conditioned to be productive, to keep going, to care for everyone else first. But when we continually override our needs, our bodies become the messenger of our unspoken emotions — grief, resentment, loneliness, or fear.
Holistic therapies like Reiki, Indian Head Massage, and Reflexology gently open a door back to balance. They remind us that we are whole beings — body, mind, and spirit — and that healing often begins not with doing more, but with softening, receiving, and allowing.
Listening Before It Hurts
Imagine how different things could be if we responded to our early signs of discomfort — not with fear, but with curiosity. That ache in the back might be asking for rest, or perhaps for emotional support. The tight jaw might hold unspoken words. The tired eyes might long for time away from screens, or from situations that drain us.
When we choose to receive a holistic treatment before pain becomes unbearable, we give ourselves permission to listen and release. Reflexology, for instance, can gently ease the nervous system, helping the body return to a state of calm where healing naturally occurs. Reiki supports energy flow, helping dissolve blockages that often build from suppressed emotion or stress. Indian Head Massage releases not just physical tension, but the mental fog and emotional heaviness that accompany it.
The Spiritual Aspect of Self-Care
At a spiritual level, neglecting our pain often reflects disconnection from our inner self — that quiet, intuitive voice that knows what we need. When we finally stop and allow ourselves to receive healing, we reconnect with that wisdom. We remember that we are not meant to “cope” endlessly, but to live in harmony with our body and soul.
By turning toward ourselves with compassion, we start to build trust with our own being. Instead of waiting for crisis, we learn to recognise the subtle cues of imbalance and to honour them early. Over time, this builds not only physical resilience, but emotional and spiritual well-being too.
A Gentle Invitation
So, if you notice those whispers — the twinge, the fatigue, the emotional heaviness — consider it an invitation to care, not to push on. Allow yourself to receive support before the pain becomes a cry for help. Holistic therapies offer a nurturing space to reconnect, release, and realign with your natural state of balance.
Our bodies are not our enemies; they are wise friends, patiently trying to guide us home.
As I reflect on how often we wait until we’re in pain to nurture ourselves, I’m reminded that healing doesn’t have to begin in crisis — it can begin with a quiet decision to listen. Our bodies long to be heard, our energy longs to flow freely, and our hearts long for peace.
May this be your gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and reach out for the care you deserve — not only when things feel unbearable, but as a loving way of honouring yourself.
In calm and kindness,
Loretta
