Why does chronic pain return even after months of physical therapy and exercise? Today I sit down with chronic joint and back pain specialist Bonnie Ryckova to uncover the missing link in injury recovery.
Bonnie shares her powerful journey from childhood trauma and multiple accidents to discovering the "layers of compensation" the body builds over decades. Learn why traditional strengthening exercises often fail when the body is stuck in a fight-or-flight response and how nervous system regulation can finally break the cycle of painful flare-ups. This conversation offers a roadmap to move from "fixing" your body to partnering with it for lasting relief.
Key Highlights & Timestamps
03:09 The "Dissociation" of Injury: Bonnie describes the psychological impact of her first childhood injury, explaining how a plaster cast led to a feeling of disconnection from her own limb, a common side effect of physical trauma.
05:17 The Hidden Impact of Childhood Accidents: A detailed look at how a "minor" accident at age 10 created a "rotational" compensation in Bonnie's pelvis that stayed with her for decades, despite X-rays showing nothing was broken.
14:26 Trauma Processing vs. Physical Fixing: Following a car accident in her 30s, Bonnie explains the pivotal moment she realized that physical exercise alone couldn't heal her because the emotional trauma of the impact hadn't been processed.
20:05 The "Layers of Compensation": A breakdown of how the body adapts over time. Bonnie explains that the demands we put on our bodies (career changes, travel, stress) add "layers" to old injuries, making standard physical therapy less effective over time.
22:34 Nervous System "Fight or Flight" in Fitness: Bonnie discusses the irony of the fitness industry, where high-intensity "hustle" can actually prevent healing by keeping the nervous system in a constant state of threat.
31:18 Learning to Listen to "Body Guidance": Bonnie shares her method of lying on the floor and allowing the body to lead the movement (rocking, pelvic tilts) rather than following a rigid exercise protocol.
41:09 The "Silent" Rib Cage Breath: A step-by-step tutorial on the specific breathing technique Bonnie uses to expand the thoracic spine, relax the jaw, and signal safety to the brain to stop a pain flare-up.
Bonnie's Bio
Bonnie is a Chronic Joint and Back Pain Specialist who works with people whose pain keeps returning despite physiotherapy and exercise. Her work focuses on understanding how the body has adapted over time and where load is no longer shared evenly.
Her background includes biomechanics, clinical Pilates and postural therapy, alongside lived experience of chronic pain, hypermobility, and injury recovery. This informs a way of working that is structured, body-led, and realistic, prioritising clarity before action.
Her work has been featured in Forbes (2024), 30 Day Health Magazine (2025), and The I-Paper (2026).
Connect with Bonnie
https://bonnieryckova.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnieryckova
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonnieryckova
Who am I?
Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.
With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.
www.sarahdawkins.com
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