The Pain Relief Most People Overlook: Your Breath
Your Breath Is More Powerful Than You Think
Chronic pain can feel like your body is working against you. But what if relief didn’t start with pills or procedures — what if it started with your breath?
Your breath is the bridge between conscious control and your autonomic nervous system (ANS). By learning to use it intentionally, you can shift your body from stress and tension into calm and safety — creating conditions where healing is possible.
Client Case Study: “I’ve Tried Everything”
She came to me at a breaking point. Years of chronic pain had worn her down. Doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, alternative treatments, supplements, special diets… Each one promised relief, but none of them truly worked.
Every time a new idea was suggested, she felt a mix of hope and exhaustion. What if this one doesn’t work either? She was tired of the cycle of temporary fixes, endless searching, and the crushing disappointment when the pain always returned.
So when I mentioned breathwork, she almost laughed. “Breathing? Really? I’ve tried everything… how could something this simple possibly help?”
I knew that her skepticism only signalled a deep fatigue. She didn’t want another “quick fix” that wasn’t going to deliver on its promise. What she really wanted was a real solution and to finally experience some real pain relief. A glimmer of hope that it wasn’t always going to be like this.
How Pain Lives in the Brain And What Breath Has to Do With It
Here’s the physiology most people overlook:
Pain isn’t just about injury, it’s how the brain interprets signals
Chronic pain often reflects a sensitized nervous system, not ongoing tissue damage
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls pain responses, and while it’s involuntary, it can be influenced
That’s where breathwork comes in. Gentle, intentional breathing helps down-regulate the nervous system. For people living in chronic “fight-or-flight,” it can be a safe and accessible way to begin shifting the body out of survival mode.
Step-by-Step: What We Did in Breathwork Together
Step 1: Becoming Aware of Breathing Habit
The first thing we did was notice how she was breathing. Most of the time, her breath was short and stuck in her chest. Just realizing this gave her insight into how her body was staying in stress mode.
Step 2: Practicing Gentle Belly Breathing
Next I guided her into slow, steady breaths that filled her belly. This kind of breathing helps calm the nervous system and gives the body a signal of safety.
Step 3: Creating Calm with Simple Techniques
We layered in small tools she could use anywhere: a longer exhale, a soft sigh, or a pause at the end of the breath. These became little pockets of calm that, over time, softened her pain.
Step 4: Building Trust and Consistency
The real change came from practice. Each time she returned to her breath, her body began to trust it was safe. Slowly, tension eased and her system started to shift.
The Turning Point: A Shift They Could Feel
The first shift wasn’t dramatic, but it was real. One evening, after practicing, she felt her shoulders soften for the first time in years. She no longer needed to brace against the pain.
A few days later, she realized she had slept through the night without waking in discomfort. That simple rest gave her hope.
Most of all, she noticed safety returning to her body. During pain flares, she stayed calmer, more grounded, and could trust the intensity would pass (versus spiraling into fear and panic). That was when she knew something was finally changing.
The Results: Pain Wasn’t in Charge Anymore
Pain didn’t vanish overnight, but it no longer controlled her. Breathwork gave her practical tools she could reach for in the moment, and that changed everything.
She began weaving the practice into her day:
A few minutes before bed to quiet her mind.
Gentle breathing during a flare to soften discomfort.
Calming exhales in stressful moments to stay grounded.
Over time, her baseline pain dropped. As she put it: “I still notice the pain sometimes, but now I feel like I’m in charge of how I respond. It doesn’t control me anymore.”
What You Can Learn From This
Your nervous system is always listening. The way you breathe is one of the strongest signals you can send to let your body know it’s safe.
Pain isn’t only physical, which means relief doesn’t have to come only from medication. With the right tools and support, even small shifts in how you breathe can create big changes in how you feel, helping you move out of survival mode and into healing.
Try Breathwork Yourself At Your Own Pace
Curious how breathwork could support your own pain relief?
Explore my Breathwork Audio Download Store: it’s filled with self-paced audio sessions designed to calm your nervous system, support pain relief, and guide you gently back into your body.
This Isn’t Woo — It’s Physiology
Breath isn’t fluff. It’s a science-backed, body-based way to regulate your nervous system and begin feeling more at home in your body again.
If you’ve been living with chronic pain or tension, consider this your reminder: get curious about your own breath. Notice it, play with it, and give yourself permission to try something new. Even the smallest shift can open the door to meaningful change.
Want More Support? Join the Pelvic Healing Circle
If you’re ready to go deeper with guidance and connection, you can now join my Pelvic Healing Circle with a free 15-day trial.
Inside, you’ll find live breathwork and somatic practices, and a supportive community of women on their own healing journeys.
