The Embodied Experience of Meaning for Women Living with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide and incurs exorbitant costs for healthcare systems annually, yet research is limited in this area. This research was developed to explore the embodied experience of meaning for women with chronic pain. The study was guided by the experiences of ten women living with chronic pain and the feminist and relationship-centered methodology of the Listening Guide was used to uncover their unique voices in harmony and dissonance. Data analysis pointed to two groups of voices: voices of suffering (i.e., voices of oppression, unknown, loss, self-criticism, disconnection from others, and disconnection from self), and voices of strength (i.e., voices of endurance, growth, tenacity, connection to others, connection to self, and “the more”). Overall, the women in this research are closely connected to their experience of meaning and are constantly navigating what makes life worthwhile to them even while chronic pain is present.