Hello
Hello, I'd like to introduce myself and my practice. I'm Singeli, a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Hypnotist, Certified Yoga Nidra Practitioner, Craniosacral Therapist, Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, Somatic Coach, and a Masters of Social Work student (anticipated graduation 2028). My extensive training reflects a deep passion for understanding the intricate connections between mind, body, and spirit. I've dedicated the past seven years to the field of massage therapy, and during that time—particularly during the pandemic—I've had the privilege of expanding my expertise through online courses, conferences, and workshops focused on the mind-body connection.
Through this journey, I've discovered a unifying thread: these diverse approaches all aim to alleviate suffering and enhance quality of life. This realization sparked my profound interest in pain science, management, and the multifaceted nature of pain itself. We all encounter pain—physical injuries, emotional setbacks, and the inevitable challenges of life—yet, the ancient Buddhist wisdom holds true: "Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional."
Pain manifests in countless ways—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. To better understand my approach, let's consider the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) definition of pain (revised 2020): "An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or described in terms of, actual or potential tissue damage." However, current pain science research is refining this definition to better reflect its complexity. While the core concept remains, the NIH now acknowledges that pain is always a personal experience that is influenced to varying degrees by biological, psychological, and social factors.
Pain is always a personal experience that is influenced to varying degrees by biological, psychological, and social factors.
Pain and nociception are different phenomena. Pain cannot be inferred solely from activity in sensory neurons.
Through their life experiences, individuals learn the concept of pain.
A person’s report of an experience as pain should be respected.
Although pain usually serves an adaptive role, it may have adverse effects on function and social and psychological well-being.
Verbal description is only one of several behaviors to express pain; inability to communicate does not negate the possibility that a human or a non-human animal experiences pain.
I invite you to reflect on the past week. How has pain presented itself in your life? What sensations did you experience? What was your initial reaction? Did you attempt to suppress the sensations, or did you approach them with curiosity? Did you detach, or were you able to maintain some level of presence? Consider these questions as a starting point for understanding your own unique relationship with pain.
Prefer a video? Click the link below for the Brain Rot version
Brain Rot of the text from this blog post.
