Can IFS Help with Chronic Pain?
Living with chronic pain can feel like you're at war with your own body. Maybe you've tried everything—medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes—and you're still struggling. Perhaps you've even been told "it's all in your head," which probably left you feeling frustrated and misunderstood.
As an IFS therapist in Lee's Summit, I've worked with several clients who live with chronic pain conditions, and what I've learned is this: chronic pain is never "just physical" or "just emotional." It's a complex experience that affects every part of who you are. That's exactly why Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy can be such a powerful tool for people living with chronic pain.
Our therapists have seen how IFS helps people develop a different relationship with their pain—one that's less about fighting and more about understanding. After working with a few clients who had chronic pain conditions and seeing how much IFS helped them, I sought out additional training specifically focused on pain management and the mind-body connection. I realized this was an area I wanted to dive deeper into because I could see how much relief people found through this approach.
What Is IFS Therapy and How Does It Work?
Internal Family Systems therapy is based on the idea that we all have different "Parts" within us—kind of like an internal family. These Parts each have their own thoughts, feelings, and ways of trying to help us navigate life's challenges.
When you're living with chronic pain, different Parts of you might have very different responses. One Part might be angry about the limitations pain creates. Another Part might feel scared about what the pain means for your future. And yet another Part might be exhausted from trying to push through and appear "normal" to everyone around you.
In IFS, we also believe everyone has a core Self—a calm, compassionate, and wise part of you that can lead with clarity. When your Parts are overwhelmed by pain and all the emotions that come with it, it can be hard to access that Self-energy. IFS therapy helps you get to know your Parts, understand what they're trying to do for you, and help them relax so your Self can take the lead.
What's the Connection Between Emotions and Physical Pain?
Here's something that might surprise you: research shows that emotional pain and physical pain are processed in similar areas of the brain. The American Psychological Association notes that psychological factors can significantly influence the experience of chronic pain, including how intense it feels and how much it interferes with daily life.
When you're living with chronic pain, it's common for difficult emotions to get "stuck" in different Parts of you. Maybe there's a Part that's carrying grief about the life you had before pain became part of your daily experience. Or a Part that's holding onto anger about medical providers who didn't believe you or couldn't help you get answers quickly enough.
These emotional experiences don't cause your physical pain, but they can absolutely influence how you experience it. When we help those Parts process and release some of what they've been carrying, many people find their relationship with their physical symptoms shifts in meaningful ways.
How Can IFS Help with chronic Pain?
IFS isn't a cure for chronic pain, and I want to be clear about that upfront. But what I've seen in my work with clients—whether they're dealing with fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, or other ongoing conditions—is that IFS can help in several important ways.
First, IFS helps you develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself. Instead of fighting against your body or feeling betrayed by it, you can learn to approach yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a good friend. This shift alone can reduce the additional suffering that often comes with chronic pain.
Second, IFS can help you identify and work with Parts that might be making your pain experience more difficult. For example, if you have a Part that pushes you to do everything you used to do despite your limitations, that Part might be creating more physical stress. Or if you have a Part that's terrified of the pain getting worse, that anxiety can actually increase muscle tension and pain sensitivity.
According to research published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, mind-body approaches that address both psychological and physical aspects of pain can be particularly effective for chronic pain management.
What Should I Expect in IFS Therapy for Chronic Pain?
In our work together, we'd start by getting to know your system—all the different Parts of you that have been affected by living with chronic pain. This isn't about analyzing your pain or trying to figure out if it's "real" (it is). Instead, it's about understanding how pain has impacted your inner world and what your Parts need to feel supported.
We might explore questions like: What does the Part of you that's in pain need you to understand? Is there a Part that's been working overtime to help you cope? What about a Part that's scared or angry about your medical experiences?
I often work with clients right here in Lee's Summit to help them slow down enough to really listen to these Parts. In our busy lives—whether you're commuting to Kansas City for work or managing family responsibilities—it's easy to push through without really checking in with yourself.
As we build relationships with your Parts, you'll likely start to notice that you can access more Self-energy even when you're experiencing pain. This doesn't mean the pain goes away, but many people find they're less overwhelmed by it and more able to make decisions from a calm, centered place.
Is IFS Therapy Right for My Chronic Pain?
IFS can be particularly helpful if you notice that your pain experience involves a lot of emotional complexity. Maybe you find yourself cycling between different feelings about your condition, or you feel like different Parts of you want different things when it comes to managing your pain.
The International Association for the Study of Pain recognizes that effective chronic pain treatment often needs to address both physical and psychological factors. IFS fits well with this understanding because it doesn't separate your emotional and physical experiences—it helps you work with your whole self.
IFS might be especially helpful if:
You feel like you're constantly fighting against your body
You have complicated feelings about your pain that you haven't been able to work through
You notice that stress or difficult emotions seem to impact your pain levels
You want to develop better coping strategies that feel authentic to who you are
You're interested in understanding yourself more deeply, beyond just managing symptoms
Finding an IFS Therapist Who Understands Chronic Pain
If you're considering IFS therapy for chronic pain, it's important to find a therapist who has experience with both IFS and chronic pain issues. Not every IFS therapist has worked extensively with chronic pain, so it's worth asking about their experience and any additional training they've pursued.
In my practice, I've made it a priority to understand how chronic pain affects the whole person, not just the physical body. This includes understanding how pain impacts relationships, work, identity, and hopes for the future. I've found that when we address the full picture, people often experience relief in ways they didn't expect.
Begin IFS Therapy for Chronic Pain in Lee's Summit
Living with chronic pain is challenging enough without feeling like you have to navigate it alone. If you're curious about how IFS therapy might help you develop a different relationship with your pain experience, I'd love to talk with you.
IFS therapy isn't about eliminating your pain—it's about helping you find more peace and Self-leadership in the midst of it. When your Parts feel understood and supported, and when you can access that calm, compassionate Self-energy more consistently, many people find their whole experience of living with chronic pain shifts in meaningful ways.
If you're ready to explore how IFS might help with your chronic pain experience, I offer free consultations where we can talk about your specific situation and whether this approach might be a good fit. You don't have to figure this out on your own.
About the Author: Adam White is a licensed counselor with over five years of experience supporting clients in the Kansas City, Missouri area. He specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma, and uses evidence-based approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients reconnect with their inner calm and develop greater self-understanding. Adam has pursued additional training in mind-body approaches to help clients living with chronic pain conditions. At Aspire Counseling, he is committed to providing compassionate, expert care—both in-person at our Lee's Summit office and through secure online therapy for clients across Missouri.
