Beyond the MRI: Understanding Your Chronic Pain

Salamat, mahalo for the incredible engagement with the last newsletter on the GenX burnout cycle. It’s a deep topic that so many of us are navigating, and I’m deeply honored to be a part of your journey.

It's already been a year since my return to Oʻahu from Guåhan/Guam! Through all the transitions, your consistent support and presence have been a profound blessing to my family and me. My deepest gratitude extends to everyone who follows me on social media and reads these e-newsletters 🌈🙏✨. Please continue sharing Mind-Body Energy Medicine with your loved ones, and discover some exciting opportunities below 🌟.

Today, I want to touch on a related issue I see constantly in my practice: chronic pain that seems to have no apparent structural cause.

Beyond the MRI: Understanding Your Chronic Pain

Have you ever been told your chronic back or body pain is a mystery? You've had the X-rays, the MRIs, even specialist consultations, but the scans come back "normal," leaving you feeling frustrated and without answers.

You are not imagining it. Up to 90% of chronic spinal pain does not stem from a clear structural cause like a fracture, major disc herniation, or disease process.[1] So, if the pain isn't just about bones or discs, what's truly happening?

The answer often lies in the intricate interplay among your nervous system, emotional health, and immune function. Leading research in psychoneuroimmunology, affective immunology, and biopsychosocial models reveals a crucial finding: our emotions, chronic stress patterns, and past traumas directly influence our immune responses, leading to real, physical inflammation [2, 3]. When your nervous system is stuck in a "survival mode" loop, it constantly sends out inflammatory signals and tightens muscles. This chronic inflammation and tension get deeply stored in your fascia and soft tissues, manifesting as the very real pain, stiffness, and exhaustion you feel. Your pain isn't "just in your head"; it's a complex message from your deeply dysregulated nervous system.

This is precisely where an integrated, hands-on approach is not just beneficial, but essential. As a chiropractor and Reiki practitioner, my role extends beyond just bony alignment. We work to communicate directly with your nervous system. Through gentle chiropractic adjustments, targeted fascial release, and intuitive energy work, we signal safety to your body at a foundational physiological level. This process helps to downregulate the ingrained threat response, break the chronic stress-inflammation-pain cycle, and enable your body to shift from "survive" into a state of "repair and rebuild." We are not merely treating symptoms; we are addressing the root causes by helping your nervous system release the patterns that are physically manifesting as non-specific chronic pain.

Dr. Chris Teaño Lipat is a licensed chiropractor in Hawaiʻi and Guåhan/Guam, certified in functional medicine, a Reiki master teacher, and a certified magaanito/pangatauhan (‘diviner’ in Filipino) from the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan. Dr. Lipat has been practicing chiropractic for 15 years, teaching Reiki for 20 years, and has completed 300 hours of training toward a clinical nutrition certification. Supporting you through challenges and witnessing your success is the reason Dr. Lipat does this work. If you're interested in working with them, in person in Honolulu or virtually, sign up at https://drchrislipat.com.

Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It should not be considered medical advice. The information provided here is not intended to replace or supplement professional medical treatment, advice, or diagnosis. Always consult your own physician or healthcare professional before trying or implementing any information from this post.