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My Pain Puzzle

A different look at pain

Do you suffer from chronic pain and nothing seems to help? Do therapies such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, medication or exercise help, but only for a short time?

I know how that feels.

For years I suffered from physical pain and was eventually diagnosed with reumatoïd arthritis. Until I read a book about unlearning my pain. I am one of the many living proofs that chronic pain and fatigue do not have to last forever.

That is why I wrote an e-book, or better said a guide, in which I take you along on my personal journey and share the insights that have helped me to finally enjoy life to the fullest again.



You may choose to do nothing for a while and continue walking around with questions or doubts, I totally understand: I did the same for 20 years. But if you feel that it’s time for a different perspective on pain, then I invite you to read on.

📖 Are you ready to unlearn your pain? Get your guide and discover how your brain and pain is connected and what you can do.

My Pain Puzzle
my pain puzzle

Together Toward a Pain-Free Life

I stumbled upon the knowledge that helped me become pain-free almost by chance. Once you’ve downloaded the guide, feel free to share it with friends and family—I genuinely hope this information reaches as many people as possible, so they too can discover the path to a pain-free life.

40%

of patients that see a doctor, suffer neuroplastic symptoms.

(Source: ATNS)

Healing is possible but only a few are offered the evidence-based approach.

We are many, people who have recovered from chronic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, long Covid, IBS, and more, yet our stories still haven’t found their way into mainstream medicine. Not yet. We want to change that, and I’m doing my part through this website.

Take the test

Self Test – Does your pain have an emotional cause?

Neuroplastic pain does not arise from a physical injury, but because the nervous system has remained stuck in a state of constant alert. Stress, fear, or suppressed emotions can teach the brain to keep producing pain, even when there is no longer any physical danger.

In other words, the pain system has become hypersensitive. Because this pain is “learned” by the brain, it can also be “unlearned” — through awareness, a sense of safety, and retraining of the nervous system.

This short test will help you discover whether your pain complaints are related to neuroplastic pain.

Answer the questions and receive your results immediately!

👉 Take the test here!

Reviews

  • Inge

    Thanks to your ebook, I now deal with my chronic pain differently. As a result, I’m back working in the field I thought was no longer possible. A thousand thanks!

  • Katrijn

    A smooth, humorous, flavorful, and powerful e-book. You're going to inspire people with this, Els—hopefully those who are living with pain, and just as importantly, those who work around it. A new awareness around all these layers is ready to emerge.

  • Heidi

    Wow, this is definitely quite confronting, Els—but I understand that maybe that’s exactly what’s needed to give people a little push. I don’t struggle with pain myself, but I’ll definitely keep it in mind in case it ever becomes relevant.

  • Wim

    I think it can be a revelation for people in the same situation, 'I'm not alone, it's real'. And for people who are lucky enough not to be in pain, it can provide a framework of empathy and understanding. But...do you really think men with beards are that shady? (from chapter 6)

  • Margot

    I think it's fantastic! Well and fluently written. I really think that your insights can offer a different future to people who see no way out. And that your suffering and all your acquired insights can shorten that of other people.

  • Marianne

    I don’t suffer from chronic pain myself, but I do occasionally experience migraines. After reading the book, I started to wonder whether the onset of my headache might be emotionally triggered. I noticed that as soon as I did this, the headache actually disappeared!

  • Alex

    When I first read the e-book, I honestly found it a bit harsh. It felt like it was all my fault that I was in pain — like it was all in my head. After all those surgeries and injections, that was hard to take. But after a while, I started to understand what it really meant. I recognized myself in that perfectionist part. Now I’m working two half-days a week — something I couldn’t do for two years. And when the pain comes up, I try to stay calm and not panic right away. I’m starting to think differently about my pain.

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de pijnpuzzel blog

Discover My Blog

On my blog, you’ll find inspiring articles full of insights from scientists, doctors, and psychiatrists who specialize in pain and emotions. Be sure to read Raelan's testimony who suffered from CFS for years. Her story is very similar to mine.

I also share valuable personal experiences, including an article by my osteopath, offering you fresh perspectives.

Feel free to explore and get inspired!

Blog

FAQ

I have inflammation and wear-and-tear such as arthritis or bone-on-bone. Doesn’t that mean my pain is purely physical?

It’s understandable to think that inflammation or structural changes automatically cause pain. However, both research and clinical experience show that physical findings such as arthritis, inflammation, or “bone-on-bone” are very common in people who have little or no pain, while others experience severe pain without significant tissue damage. This difference is largely influenced by how sensitized the nervous system is. In neuroplastic pain, an overactive nervous system can amplify or maintain pain and inflammatory responses. The inflammation is real and not something you can simply “think away,” but the pain experience can change when the nervous system calms down and the brain stops sending constant danger signals.