Chronic Pain in Ireland: Why It Persists and What Actually Helps You Move Forward

Summary
You may be doing your best to manage pain, yet it still shapes your day. Chronic pain is complex. It is not only about tissues or joints. It involves the nervous system, inflammation, metabolism, emotions, and lived experience. In Ireland and worldwide, long-term pain is common and often poorly addressed with medication alone. A more comprehensive approach that combines clinical nutrition, psychotherapy, and clinical hypnotherapy can make a meaningful difference. This article explains why pain persists and what you can try next.

Living With Chronic Pain: You Are Not Alone

Chronic pain means pain lasting longer than three months. It may continue even after an injury has healed, or it may arise without a clear injury. In the United States, around 21% of adults live with chronic pain, while global estimates suggest about 27.5% prevalence. These figures reflect what many people experience across Ireland too, particularly with conditions such as back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, and persistent digestive discomfort.

Pain can affect every part of life. Sleep becomes lighter. Mood shifts. Energy dips. Relationships can feel strained. Work may become harder to sustain. Over time, it can also influence anxiety, depression, and stress patterns.

Why Pain Often Persists

1. The Nervous System Becomes Sensitive

Your nervous system can become overprotective. This is called central sensitisation. It means the brain and spinal cord amplify pain signals, even when there is no ongoing damage.

2. Inflammation Drives Ongoing Pain

Inflammation is the body’s defence system. When it stays active for too long, it can increase pain sensitivity. This is often seen in autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and coeliac disease.

3. Mitochondrial Dysfunction Reduces Energy

Mitochondria are tiny structures in your cells that produce energy. When they are not working well, fatigue and pain can increase. Research shows mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in both inflammatory and nerve-related pain.

4. Emotional and Psychological Load

Pain is not imagined. However, emotional stress, trauma, or ongoing anxiety can intensify how pain is processed. The brain and body are deeply connected.

The Limits and Risks of Opioid Medication

Many people are prescribed opioid medications for chronic pain. While they may help short term, research shows long-term use has limited benefit and significant risks. These include dependence, withdrawal symptoms, hormonal disruption, depression, cardiovascular risks, and accidental overdose.

Because of this, there is increasing emphasis on non-drug approaches that address underlying drivers of pain.

A More Effective Approach: Addressing Root Causes

In clinical practice for over 20+ years across Ireland, UK and Europe, we see a more comprehensive approach tends to produce better outcomes. This means looking beyond symptoms and understanding what is driving your pain.

I work with adults, teenagers, and children online across Ireland and internationally, and in person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Lismore Cork, Dungarvan and Dublin.

My work integrates:

  • Clinical Nutrition and functional medicine principles
  • Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis
  • Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT)

This combination allows us to address physical, neurological, emotional, and behavioural aspects together.

1. Supporting Mitochondrial Health to Reduce Pain

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Mitochondria help produce energy in your cells. When they are impaired, fatigue and pain increase.

What can help:

  1. Anti-inflammatory nutrition
    A Mediterranean-style approach using vegetables, oily fish, olive oil, nuts, and whole foods can reduce inflammation and support energy production.
  2. Stable blood sugar
    Lowering refined sugar intake helps reduce inflammatory spikes.
  3. Gentle movement
    Walking, resistance training, or tailored exercise improves mitochondrial efficiency.
  4. Intermittent fasting (where appropriate)
    This may support cellular repair and energy metabolism for some people. It should always be personalised.

2. Nutrition and Chronic Pain: What the Research Shows

Diet plays a direct role in inflammation and pain.

Key findings:

  • Mediterranean diets can reduce arthritis pain and slow progression
  • Vitamin D deficiency is linked to lower back pain
  • Plant-based diets may improve fibromyalgia symptoms
  • Food sensitivities can trigger inflammation and pain responses

Foods commonly linked to inflammation:

  • Dairy (cow’s milk proteins)
  • Gluten and wheat
  • Eggs
  • Soy

An elimination approach can help identify triggers in a structured, supportive way.

3. Chronic Pain Conditions and Nutrition Links

Musculoskeletal Pain

Anti-inflammatory diets and adequate vitamin D levels can improve outcomes in back pain and arthritis.

Fibromyalgia

Linked to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nutrition can improve sleep, pain, and overall wellbeing.

Gut-Related Pain

Conditions like IBS, reflux, and bloating often overlap with chronic pain. The gut-brain axis plays a key role here.

4. The Role of Clinical Hypnotherapy in Chronic Pain

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Clinical hypnotherapy is a structured therapeutic approach that works with the subconscious mind.

It is not about losing control. You remain aware and engaged throughout.

How it works:

  1. Alters pain perception
    The brain processes pain differently, reducing intensity.
  2. Reduces stress and muscle tension
    This helps break the pain cycle.
  3. Improves emotional resilience
    Anxiety, trauma, and fear linked to pain can be addressed.
  4. Supports behavioural change
    Helps with sleep, coping strategies, and lifestyle habits.

5. Evidence Behind Hypnosis for Pain

Research shows:

  • Reduced pain intensity compared to standard care
  • Changes in brain activity in pain-processing areas
  • Improvements in emotional distress linked to pain

This is why it is increasingly used alongside medical and nutritional approaches.

6. Addressing the Emotional Side of Pain

Pain is not just physical. It often overlaps with:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Trauma or PTSD
  • Stress and burnout
  • Relationship strain

Through counselling and psychotherapy, we work on these layers gently and practically.

What You Can Try This Fortnight

  1. Eat one anti-inflammatory meal daily
    Focus on vegetables, healthy fats, and protein.
  2. Walk for 20 minutes most days
    Keep it manageable and consistent.
  3. Track your pain triggers
    Notice links with food, stress, sleep.
  4. Prioritise sleep
    Aim for a regular sleep-wake rhythm.
  5. Consider professional support
    A tailored plan can reduce trial and error.

A Short Case Example (Ireland-Based)

A woman in her 40s in Cork presented with chronic back pain, fatigue, and IBS symptoms. She had tried medication with limited relief.

We worked on:

  • Removing key inflammatory foods
  • Supporting gut health
  • Using hypnotherapy to reduce pain perception and anxiety
  • Addressing stress patterns through psychotherapy

Within weeks, she reported improved sleep, reduced pain intensity, and better energy.

Safety Note

Always consult your GP or specialist before making significant changes to medication, supplements, or diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can chronic pain be reversed?

For some people, yes. For others, it can be significantly reduced and better managed.

2. Is hypnotherapy safe?

Yes. It is a well-established clinical approach when delivered by a qualified practitioner.

3. How many sessions will I need?

This varies. Some notice changes within a few sessions, others benefit from a longer plan.

4. Can nutrition really affect pain levels?

Yes. Diet directly influences inflammation and energy production.

5. What if my pain has no clear diagnosis?

This is common. A functional approach looks at underlying drivers rather than labels alone.

6. Do I need to stop medication?

Not necessarily. This work complements medical care.

The Bigger Picture

Chronic pain is rarely caused by one single factor. It is usually multifactorial. When you address the body, brain, and behaviour together, change becomes more possible.

Progress is often gradual. But it is real.

Book a Consultation Now

If you are ready to understand your pain more clearly and take practical steps forward:

ONLINE and In-Person Appointments Available

Locations:
Adare | Newcastle West | Limerick | Abbeyfeale | Charleville | Kanturk | Midleton | Youghal | Cork | Dungarvan | Dublin

Services include:

  • Registered Nutritionist support
  • Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy
  • Hypnosis for chronic pain, anxiety, and trauma
  • Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT)

Book your consultation today and start a structured, personalised plan.

Title: Chronic Pain Ireland: Causes, Nutrition & Hypnotherapy Treatment
Description: Chronic pain explained with nutrition, hypnotherapy & therapy approaches. Ireland-based support available online & in-person.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your GP or healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment guidance.

Academic References : 

Chronic Pain, Mechanisms & Epidemiology

  1. Goldberg DS, McGee SJ. Pain as a global public health priority. BMC Public Health. 2011.
    https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-11-770
  2. Dahlhamer J et al. Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Adults. CDC. 2018.
    https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6736a2.htm
  3. GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators. Global burden of disease study 2019. Lancet. 2020.
    https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)30925-9/fulltext

Opioids & Risks

  1. Busse JW et al. Guideline for opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain. CMAJ. 2017.
    https://www.cmaj.ca/content/189/18/E659
  2. Chou R et al. Long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain: a systematic review. Ann Intern Med. 2015.
    https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M14-2559
  3. Volkow ND, McLellan AT. Opioid abuse in chronic pain. NEJM. 2016.
    https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1507771

Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress & Pain

  1. Flatters SJL. Mitochondrial dysfunction in neuropathic pain. Pain. 2015.
    https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/2015/03000
  2. Kim HK et al. Mitochondrial dysfunction in chronic pain. Neuroscience. 2018.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306452218300606
  3. Salvemini D et al. Superoxide and peroxynitrite in pain. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2011.
    https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd3373
  4. Ji RR et al. Neuroinflammation and chronic pain. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2016.
    https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn.2016.25

Nutrition & Chronic Pain

  1. Brain K et al. Dietary patterns and chronic pain. Nutrients. 2019.
    https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/12/3044
  2. Veronese N et al. Mediterranean diet and osteoarthritis. Clin Nutr. 2017.
    https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(16)31272-3/fulltext
  3. Dinu M et al. Vegetarian diets and health outcomes. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017.
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2016.1138447
  4. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. NEJM. 2007.
    https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra070553

Fibromyalgia & Diet

  1. Arranz LI et al. Dietary interventions in fibromyalgia. Nutr Hosp. 2010.
    https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0212-16112010000100004
  2. Marum AP et al. Plant-based diets in fibromyalgia. Nutrients. 2021.
    https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/8/2664

Hypnotherapy & Pain


  1. Elkins G, Jensen MP, Patterson DR. Hypnotherapy for the management of chronic pain. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2007.

  2. Jensen MP. Hypnotic approaches for chronic pain management. American Psychologist. 2014.
  3. Thompson T et al. Effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763418306127
  4. Montgomery GH et al. Meta-analysis of hypnosis for pain. Health Psychol. 2000.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10711599/
  5. Rainville P et al. Pain affect encoded in anterior cingulate cortex. Science. 1997.
    https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.277.5328.968
  6. Derbyshire SWG et al. Hypnosis and pain processing in the brain. Pain. 2004.
    https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/2004/

  7. Pathak A et al. Scoping review of hypnosis for clinical pain. 2020.

Pain Neuroscience & Psychology

  1. Melzack R, Wall PD. Pain mechanisms: a new theory. Science. 1965.
    https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.150.3699.971
  2. Tracey I, Mantyh PW. Neuroimaging of pain. Neuron. 2007.
    https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(07)00654-7

Gut-Brain Axis & Pain

  1. Mayer EA. Gut-brain axis in IBS. Gastroenterology. 2011.
    https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(11)00144-6/fulltext
  2. Carabotti M et al. The gut-brain axis. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/

Inflammation & Autoimmune Links

  1. Furman D et al. Chronic inflammation in disease. Nat Med. 2019.
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-019-0675-0
  2. Calder PC et al. Diet and inflammation. Nutrients. 2017.
    https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/6/665

Lifestyle & Exercise

  1. Booth FW et al. Role of exercise in chronic disease. Compr Physiol. 2012.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241367/
  2. Warburton DER et al. Health benefits of physical activity. CMAJ. 2006.
    https://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/6/801

Stress, Trauma & Pain

  1. McEwen BS. Stress and brain-body interaction. Physiol Rev. 2007.
    https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00041.2006
  2. Bair MJ et al. Depression and pain comorbidity. Arch Intern Med. 2003.
    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/215140

Sleep & Pain

  1. Finan PH et al. Sleep and pain interactions. Sleep Med Rev. 2013.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079212000663

Behavioural & Multidisciplinary Care

  1. Gatchel RJ et al. Biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain. Psychol Bull. 2007.
    https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-07427-002
  2. Turk DC, Okifuji A. Pain management strategies. Lancet. 2002.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673602083565

Nutrition & Metabolism

  1. Ludwig DS. Low glycaemic diets and inflammation. JAMA. 2002.
    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/195879
  2. Estruch R et al. Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular health. NEJM. 2013.
    https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1200303

Functional & Integrative Medicine

  1. Jones DS. Functional medicine and chronic disease. Altern Ther Health Med. 2010.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20949602/
  2. Bland JS. Systems biology and functional medicine. Integr Med. 2012.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3402009/
  3. Rikard SM, Strahan AE, Schmit KM, Guy GP Jr. Chronic pain among adults – United States, 2019-2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72(15):379-385. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7215a1
  4. Zimmer Z, Fraser K, Grol-Prokopczyk H, Zajacova A. A global study of pain prevalence across 52 countries: examining the role of country-level contextual factors. Pain. 2022;163(9):1740-1750. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002557
  5. Dahlhamer JM, Connor EM, Bose J, Lucas JL, Zelaya CE. Prescription opioid use among adults with chronic pain: United States, 2019. Natl Health Stat Report. 2021;(162):1-9. Accessed May 14, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr162-508.pdf
  6. Lembke A, Humphreys K, Newmark J. Weighing the risks and benefits of chronic opioid therapy. Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(12):982-990.
  7. Cirillo M, Argento FR, Becatti M, Fiorillo C, Coccia ME, Fatini C. Mediterranean diet and oxidative stress: a relationship with pain perception in endometriosis. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(19):14601. doi:10.3390/ijms241914601
  8. Cuevas-Cervera M, Perez-Montilla JJ, Gonzalez-Muñoz A, Garcia-Rios MC, Navarro-Ledesma S. The effectiveness of intermittent fasting, time restricted feeding, caloric restriction, a ketogenic diet and the Mediterranean diet as part of the treatment plan to improve health and chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(11):6698. doi:10.3390/ijerph19116698
  9. Field R, Pourkazemi F, Turton J, Rooney K. Dietary interventions are beneficial for patients with chronic pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Pain Med. 2021;22(3):694-714. doi:10.1093/pm/pnaa378
  10. Silva Santos Ribeiro P, Willemen HLDM, Eijkelkamp N. Mitochondria and sensory processing in inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2022;3:1013577. doi:10.3389/fpain.2022.1013577
  11. Doyle TM, Salvemini D. Mini-review: mitochondrial dysfunction and chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. Neurosci Lett. 2021;760:136087. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136087
  12. Shen CL, Castro L, Fang CY, et al. Bioactive compounds for neuropathic pain: an update on preclinical studies and future perspectives. J Nutr Biochem. 2022;104:108979. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.108979
  13. Yousuf MS, Maguire AD, Simmen T, Kerr BJ. Endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria interplay in chronic pain: the calcium connection. Mol Pain. 2020;16:1744806920946889. doi:10.1177/1744806920946889
  14. Ilari S, Giancotti LA, Lauro F, et al. Natural antioxidant control of neuropathic pain—exploring the role of mitochondrial SIRT3 pathway. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(11):1103. doi:10.3390/antiox9111103
  15. Espinoza N, Papadopoulos V. Role of mitochondrial dysfunction in neuropathy. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(7):3195. doi:10.3390/ijms26073195
  16. Gilstrap SR, Hobson JM, Owens MA, et al. Mitochondrial reactivity following acute exposure to experimental pain testing in people with HIV and chronic pain. Mol Pain. 2023;19:17448069231195975. doi:10.1177/17448069231195975
  17. Guevara-Cruz M, Hernández-Gómez KG, Condado-Huerta C, et al. Intermittent fasting, calorie restriction, and a ketogenic diet improve mitochondrial function by reducing lipopolysaccharide signaling in monocytes during obesity: a randomized clinical trial. Clin Nutr. 2024;43(8):1914-1928. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2024.06.036
  18. Madkour MI, El-Serafi AT, Jahrami HA, et al. Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting modulates SOD2, TFAM, Nrf2, and sirtuins (SIRT1, SIRT3) gene expressions in subjects with overweight and obesity. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2019;155:107801. doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2019.107801
  19. Memme JM, Erlich AT, Phukan G, Hood DA. Exercise and mitochondrial health. J Physiol. 2021;599(3):803-817. doi:10.1113/JP278853
  20. Dragan S, Șerban MC, Damian G, Buleu F, Valcovici M, Christodorescu R. Dietary patterns and interventions to alleviate chronic pain. Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2510. doi:10.3390/nu12092510
  21. Aleksandrova K, Koelman L, Rodrigues CE. Dietary patterns and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation: a systematic review of observational and intervention studies. Redox Biol. 2021;42:101869. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2021.101869
  22. Manske S. The microbiome’s role in chronic pain and inflammation. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2024;23(4):10-15.
  23. Jactel SN, Olson JM, Wolin KY, et al. Efficacy of a digital personalized elimination diet for the self-management of irritable bowel syndrome and comorbid irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2023;14(1):e00545. doi:10.14309/ctg.0000000000000545
  24. Zalewski A, Doerfler B, Krause A, Hirano I, Gonsalves N. Long-term outcomes of the Six-Food Elimination Diet and food reintroduction in a large cohort of adults with eosinophilic esophagitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;117(12):1963-1970. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001949
  25. Pardali EC, Gkouvi A, Gkouskou KK, et al. Autoimmune protocol diet: a personalized elimination diet for patients with autoimmune diseases. Metabol Open. 2024;25:100342. doi:10.1016/j.metop.2024.100342
  26. Field R, Pourkazemi F, Rooney K. Effects of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet on reported pain, blood biomarkers and quality of life in patients with chronic pain: a pilot randomized clinical trial. Pain Med. 2022;23(2):326-338. doi:10.1093/pm/pnab278
  27. Bäcklund R, Drake I, Bergström U, Compagno M, Sonestedt E, Turesson C. Diet and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis – a systematic literature review. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2023;58:152118. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2022.152118
  28. Schönenberger KA, Schüpfer AC, Gloy VL, et al. Effect of anti-inflammatory diets on pain in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2021;13(12):4221. doi:10.3390/nu13124221
  29. Zeng J, Franklin DK, Das A, Hirani V. The effects of dietary patterns and food groups on symptomatic osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Nutr Diet. 2023;80(1):21-43. doi:10.1111/1747-0080.12781
  30. Dzik KP, Skrobot W, Kaczor KB, et al. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with muscle atrophy and reduced mitochondrial function in patients with chronic low back pain. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:6835341. doi:10.1155/2019/6835341
  31. Martínez-Lara A, Moreno-Fernández AM, Jiménez-Guerrero M, et al. Mitochondrial imbalance as a new approach to the study of fibromyalgia. Open Access Rheumatol. 2020;12:175-185. doi:10.2147/OARRR.S257470
  32. Nadal-Nicolás Y, Miralles-Amorós L, Martínez-Olcina M, Sánchez-Ortega M, Mora J, Martínez-Rodríguez A. Vegetarian and vegan diet in fibromyalgia: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4955. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094955

Additional Hypnosis & Pain Support

Multiple studies summarised on hypnosis altering pain perception and brain activity

  1. Yerzhan A et al. Medical hypnosis in acute and chronic pain. 2025.