From Chronic Pain to Athens, Berlin and Beyond – Tricia’s Journey

In 2019, I came across a Chronic Pain Ireland ezine calling for participants for a research project with the University of Limerick (UL) on the benefits of music therapy for people living with chronic pain. I applied, not knowing this experience would change my life forever.

Before this, I had spent years trying to heal my body and mind—when physically possible—through exercise, healthy eating, regular physiotherapy, water therapy, and psychotherapy. While my pain can only be managed, not cured, music therapy opened a new chapter for me.

Discovering Music Therapy

Music therapy became a constructive distraction for me, a form of healthy escapism. Through instruments, songwriting, gentle movement, and art, I found new ways to express my emotions and pain. It was an outlet that helped me unlock my imagination, release creativity, and discover resilience I didn’t know I had.

I even used instruments to illustrate what it feels like to live with chronic pain—an invisible condition that’s often misunderstood. I could communicate the chaos, frustration, and eventually the calm I found through my journey, using varying tones and sounds.

Music also became a safe and inexpensive way for me to cope with unrelenting pain. On days when I couldn’t get out of bed, listening to relatable music eased my stress and helped me process the grief of losing my old life.

Becoming an Advocate

My journey didn’t end when the music therapy sessions were over. Katie stayed in touch and invited me to share my experience in a Irish Times article about the benefits of music therapy for people with chronic pain. Seeing my words in print was empowering.

Later, Katie honoured me by asking me to sing a song I’d had written at a national health and wellbeing conference. Then, in 2021, she asked if I would join an international special interest group (SIG) on chronic pain and music therapy. I was deeply honoured to be part of such a meaningful initiative, and I said yes.

We held several meetings that year and prepared for the 7th Annual Conference of the International Association of Music and Medicine (IAMM) in Athens, Greece, in 2022. At first, I planned to attend virtually, but then Katie and her supervisor, Prof. Hilary Moss, secured funding for me to attend in person.

A Life-Changing Trip to Athens!

When I learned the funding had come through, I couldn’t believe it. Since 2010, I had only travelled for medical appointments. The thought of travelling internationally felt impossible, but I realised this opportunity was meant to be. With the support of my UL colleagues, I made the trip.

In May 2022, I spent five days in Athens attending the conference, meeting incredible people, and even visiting the Acropolis. It was a life-changing experience. Six years ago, I thought I’d never leave Munster again, let alone travel internationally. This trip proved to me that

Looking to the Future

Since returning from Athens, I’ve embraced every opportunity to grow as an advocate and share my experiences. In April 2024, I chaired a session at the IPPOSI PPI in Practice in the Irish Health System and EUPATI Graduation Event. A month later, I presented and participated in a Q&A session at the British Association of Music Therapy (BAMT) Conference.

August 2024 was a particularly enriching month. I attended a media training workshop for chronic pain advocacy provided by Chronic Pain Ireland, and I was a guest on the Music and Mind podcast, where I spoke about music therapy and chronic pain.

In September, I travelled to Berlin to present at the IAMM and ISfAM Congress—another unforgettable experience. October brought even more exciting opportunities. I presented at the PPI Ignite Network Bursaries Event at the University of Limerick, and I engaged in two Q&A sessions over Zoom: one with music therapy master’s students from UL and another with physiotherapy students from UCD, sharing my lived experience and perspectives on chronic pain.

In November 2024, I was invited to be a panellist on a British Pain Society webinar. To my delight, a song I wrote was also played during the event—a moment that filled me with pride.

These experiences have been incredible milestones in my journey. They’ve connected me with inspiring people, amplified the voices of those living with chronic pain, and reinforced the importance of advocacy. I’m excited to continue exploring new possibilities and contributing to meaningful conversations about chronic pain and its impact.

I feel incredibly blessed to have had these opportunities. I’m grateful to Katie, Hilary, the UL team, and Chronic Pain Ireland for bringing the research project to my attention. I also owe thanks to the special assistance support at the airport, which made travelling possible for me again.