2901: Chronic Pain Causes | 5 Common Habits That Make Pain Worse
Jul 15, 2026
In this episode the guys break down five weird and common things people do that cause or worsen chronic pain — poor sleep, inflammatory diet, macro and micro deficiencies, dehydration, and shallow breathing. They cover the difference between acute pain and chronic pain, how movement pattern issues are almost always the root cause, and why the experience of pain can be just as real as the physiological signal. They also get into Arthur Saxon pressing 370 pounds overhead with one arm in 1905, eating 24 eggs and 10 pounds of meat a day, the genetics study showing hyper responders gain three times as much muscle as average responders, Sal going back to jiu jitsu and the whole family trying the Organifi parasite cleanse, Manukora honey on mat burns, and how poor sleep is the number one injury predictor — worse than skipping a warmup. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com.
MAPS Upper Lower: https://mapsupperlower.comCode: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes male and female programs, workout videos, exercise demos, coaching videos and live coaching with Cole.
Mind Pump Fitness Coaching: https://mindpumpfitnesscoaching.com1.9 NASM CEUs
SPONSORS
Organifi (natural parasite cleanse): https://organifi.com/mindpumpCode: MINDPUMP for 20% off. Run two cycles 15 days apart. Discussed on air — Sal’s whole family has started doing it.
Manukora Manuka Honey: https://manukora.com/MINDPUMPCode: MINDPUMP for up to 31% off plus $25 in free gifts with the Starter Kit. Discussed on air for wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Eight Sleep (Pod 5 Ultra) : https://eightsleep.com/mindpumpCode: MINDPUMP for up to $350 off. HSA/FSA may qualify — qualified customers save about 30% on average through Truemed. Truemed is for qualified customers. HSA/FSA tax savings vary.
LINKS
Submit a live caller question: https://mplivecaller.com
Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com
Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com
Instagram: @mindpumpmedia
0:00 – Intro
2:20 – 5 weird things you do that make chronic pain worse
5:45 – Acute pain vs. chronic pain and why movement pattern issues are almost always the root cause
12:32 – Weird cause #1: Poor sleep — why it’s worse for injury risk than skipping your warmup
16:00 – Weird cause #2: Diet and inflammation — Sal’s gluten reaction and how to test for food intolerances
19:31 – Weird cause #3: Macro and micro deficiencies — protein, fat, magnesium and vitamin D
22:53 – Weird cause #4: Water intake — why hydration directly changes pain perception
26:52 – Weird cause #5: Shallow breathing — how breathing patterns keep muscles chronically tight
34:12 – Arthur Saxon — 370lb one-arm press in 1905, 24 eggs for breakfast and 10 pounds of meat at dinner
43:01 – Genetics study: hyper responders gain three times more muscle than average in six months
47:17 – Sal back at jiu jitsu, Manukora honey on mat burns and the whole family on parasite cleanses
1:00:32 – Caller: Candy (California) — went from 34 to 28% body fat eating more, freaked out and cut calories, gets a coach
1:16:26 – Caller: Jessica (Massachusetts) — 9 months postpartum, eating disorder history, 1742 calories, redlining
1:32:36 – Caller: Ruth (New Jersey) — 55 years old, chronic dieting history, gut issues derailing reverse diet
1:45:14 – Caller: Angela (Washington) — trainer and business owner, 20% body fat, chasing goals and needs a new direction
