11/01/2026
Perception
BeWell co-owner, Christopher, tells me he feels 10 years younger. It took 3 weeks in Thailand, 36 hours of bodywork, and the willingness to be comfortable with discomfort.
There are many kinds of pain. We all know the acute, injury-related pain of a cut, break, burn, etc. But then there is the pain of accumulated, stagnant connective tissue. If it gets pressed or poked, we feel "pain", and we often respond to it as if it were an injury. We have been taught to move away from the pain, to coddle it or cover it up with pills, injections, or strengthening exercises. Unfortunately, this response can make the problem worse. This creates more accumulation of congested fascia and limitation of mobility.
In contrast, Thai people seem to be more skilled at using pain as a signal to be curious in the body. They do not respond to all pain equally. They know that the entire body is connected. All cells, compounds, and energy need to flow freely throughout the body. Life creates fascial roadblocks and congestion which can manifest as the sensation of "pain". They know that some pain is beneficial; some pain is benefited by turning towards it, going into it, and not resisting it. They know that this is what reopens the pathways in the body.
So in Thailand as Chris lay on the mat to receive body work, the practitioner could feel the "fascification" (Chris' word for the accumulation of stagnant fascia in muscles and joints) of his body. Chris had to breathe and surrender to some discomfort (pain?) as they manipulated tendons, joints and muscles. Both he and the practitioner laughed and rejoiced while his body groaned and twitched as tissues released and opened up, reestablishing normal circulation and mobility. Pain is not necessarily a thing to avoid. When we shift our perspective of 'good and bad' to open and neutral, suddenly we're not fighting ourselves and perhaps the pain isn't so painful anymore. This all requires self-exploration, curiosity and discernment.
I cannot label the sensations that others feel. But I am suggesting that it is beneficial for us to question the labels we've put on things. And also that bodywork can be life-changing!
~Kate
