In today’s episode of The Enlightened Pharmacist, I’m joined by the wise and wonderful Ananda Mahony—a Naturopath, Nutritionist, Pain Educator, and Lecturer at Torrens University Australia. With advanced studies in Human Nutrition and a Master’s in the Science of Pain Management from the University of Sydney, Ananda brings cutting-edge knowledge and deep compassion to one of the most misunderstood and complex health challenges: chronic pain.
As a pharmacist and health coach, I often see clients who feel stuck—trapped in pain that doesn’t respond to medication and has taken over their lives. That’s why this conversation is so important.
If you or someone you love has been living with pain—this episode will change the way you understand it… and maybe even offer a new path forward.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
An Inspiring Interview with Ananda Mahony What I admire most about Ananda is how she brings together evidence-based research, nervous system wisdom, and deep human empathy. She helps us shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What’s happened to you?”—a reframe that’s at the heart of true healing.
Pain Is Not Just Physical Chronic pain is not only about the body—it’s a biopsychosocial experience. Ananda explains how our pain is shaped by the body, the mind, and how we interact with the world around us.
How Perception of Pain Is Shaped Learn how “yellow flags” like life stress, mood disorders, childhood trauma, adult attachment styles, gut health, and even genetic factors like COMT influence the way we experience and respond to pain—especially when past treatments have failed.
The Sleep–Pain Loop Discover the bi-directional relationship between pain and poor sleep—and simple strategies Ananda uses to help clients optimise their sleep as part of a comprehensive pain management plan.
Understanding the Pain Alarm System Chronic pain is not a signal of ongoing damage—it’s a faulty alarm system that’s gone haywire and become wired into the brain. Ananda breaks this down with clarity and compassion, helping listeners understand that their pain is real—but also reversible.
Beyond CBT: Tools That Rewire the Brain Explore how EMDR, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Somatic Therapy can shift trauma and re-pattern the nervous system for real relief—especially when standard methods fall short.
Pain Management Is a Team Sport Chronic pain affects every system of the body and every aspect of life. Learn why Ananda believes true healing requires a multidisciplinary approach, working across boundaries of psychology, movement, nutrition, and nervous system support.
Six Foundational Strategies to Manage Chronic Pain:
Movement – Gentle, graded activity that calms rather than flares the system
Pacing – Learning to balance effort with rest
Stress Regulation – Using techniques to shift from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest
Mindfulness & Meditation – Calming the nervous system from within
Sleep – Prioritising restorative sleep for recovery
Diet – Reducing inflammation, stabilising mood, and fuelling healing
What You Can Do Next
If you or your clients are living with chronic pain, don’t lose hope. Understanding pain is the first step toward changing it.
Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
Follow Ananda Mahony’s work here. She’s also developed an amazing resource list for pain management here.
And don’t forget to book a 1:1 personalised health chat with me here if you’re ready to explore root-cause solutions for health and wellness.
Resources for somatic therapy:
Somatic Psychotherapy https://hakomi.com.au/
Institute of Somatic Psychotherapy
Brisbane: Institute of Body Psychotherapy
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