Do you ever experience pain that seems to come out of nowhere?

Pain is complex, but one useful concept for understanding pain triggers is the threat bucket. Your nervous system processes different stressors—like poor sleep, work deadlines, illness, and world events—as “threats.” When your bucket fills up, your body responds with pain, overwhelm, anxiety, or fatigue.

By recognizing what fills your bucket and making small adjustments, you can create more space and reduce unnecessary stress.

Want to learn more? Check out the post to download my free Threat Bucket Workbook - explore your unique stressors and develop a plan for better nervous system support.

The short answer is: no. Pain is real—but it’s also complex. The more we understand how pain works, the less power it has over us.

Pain is an output of the brain, not just a signal from the body. Factors like stress, poor sleep, past injuries, and even emotional well-being can amplify nerve sensitivity, making everyday activities painful.

The good news? You can retrain your nervous system through mindful movement, breathwork, and gradual activity progression.