I Spent a Decade in Chronic Pain Before I Found the Solution

Now I teach people how to eliminate chronic muscle pain using the same method that freed me.

I’m Colm McDonnell, a Clinical Somatic Educator from Dublin, Ireland.

I help people resolve chronic pain, release stress-related tension, and move freely again. Without pills, endless therapy, or “learning to live with it.”

If you’re frustrated, stuck, and tired of temporary relief, I can help.

My Story: From Chronic Pain to Complete Freedom

I lived with chronic lower back and hip pain for over a decade—from my late teens through my early 30s.

It started with a slight muscle strain. Nothing serious.

But over time, it became constant. Persistent. Limiting.

I tried everything:

Stretching. Massage. Physical therapy. Chiropractors. Acupuncture. Pills. Supplements. Gadgets I found online at 2am.

Some things helped temporarily. But nothing lasted. The pain always came back.

I was told it was “just part of getting older” or “wear and tear” (in my 20s!). That I’d have to “learn to live with it.” That maybe I should stop training, stop lifting, stop doing the things I enjoyed.

I refused to accept that.

Then I discovered Somatic Movement.

Within weeks, I understood more about my own body than I had in a decade of appointments.

I learned:

  • Why my muscles stayed tight (my brain had forgotten how to release them)
  • Why stretching didn’t work (it triggered more contraction, not less)
  • How to pandiculate (deliberately contract, then slowly release—restoring voluntary control)
  • How stress, injury, and repetitive actions create predictable patterns of chronic tension

For the first time, I had control.

Not temporary relief. Not management. Actual control over my own pain.

The chronic tension dissolved. The pain went away. Movement became easy again.

More importantly: I understood WHY I’d been in pain in the first place.

That changed everything.

Why I Became a Somatic Educator

After practicing Somatics for myself, I couldn’t keep it to myself.

I saw people everywhere struggling with the same chronic pain I’d experienced—back pain, hip pain, neck and shoulder tension, stiffness that made movement miserable.

Problems that could be resolved through regular Somatic practice.

Problems that traditional approaches weren’t fixing.

So I trained as a Clinical Somatic Educator. I’ve been teaching Somatics for a decade now—in person, online, through my YouTube channel, and via my On-Demand Class Library.

I practice Somatic movements almost daily. Not just to stay pain-free, but because they keep me moving well, sleeping well, and feeling comfortable in my body as I age.

I practice what I teach.

And I want to share everything I’ve learned with you.

How I Work

My approach is simple:

I teach you to understand your own body.

Not through complex anatomy lessons or medical jargon. Through direct experience.

You’ll learn:

  • How to recognize when muscles are holding involuntary tension
  • Why that tension creates pain
  • How to release it using pandiculation
  • How to prevent it from building up again

I don’t “fix” you. I teach you how to fix yourself.

Because once you understand how chronic tension develops—and how to release it—you’re not dependent on anyone else.

You have the tools. You have the knowledge. You have control.

That’s freedom.

My teaching style:

Clear. Direct. No fluff.

I simplify complex concepts so they make sense immediately.
I explain WHY movements work, not just HOW to do them.

I meet you where you are—whether you’re brand new to Somatics or you’ve been practicing for years and want to go deeper.

And I’m patient. This work isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.

Who I Work With

I work with people who:

✓ Have chronic pain that won’t go away (back, neck, shoulders, hips)
✓ Have tried stretching, PT, massage—but the problem keeps returning
✓ Carry stress and anxiety in their body (tight chest, shallow breathing, constant tension)
✓ Want to move freely again without pain limiting what they can do
✓ Are tired of temporary relief and want lasting change
✓ Are ready to take control instead of relying on endless appointments

I work best with people who are curious, willing to practice, and ready to understand their own bodies.

If you just want someone to “fix” you passively, I’m not the right fit.

But if you want to learn how to resolve your own pain—and stay pain-free long-term—I can help.

Training & Background

Clinical Somatic Educator & Somatic Movement Teacher – Certified through Essential Somatics (Martha Peterson, CHSE)

Registered Professional Member – International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA)

Teaching since: 2015

Practicing since: 2011

I’ve helped hundreds of people eliminate chronic pain, reduce stress-related tension, and move freely again through 1-1 sessions, online classes, and my YouTube channel (over 33,000 subscribers and 1.4 million views).

Ready to Start?

Choose the path that fits where you are:

🎯 New to Somatics? Start Here:

Free 7-Day Email Course
Short daily emails + easy movements.
Understand the basics and experience relief in one week.

START FREE COURSE

🔄 Ready to Go Deeper? The Library:

From Chronic Pain to Complete Control: The Complete Somatic System
62 structured classes. Systematic progression from quick fixes to lasting freedom. €20/month, cancel anytime.

EXPLORE LIBRARY

🚀 Want Personalized Guidance? 1-1 Sessions:

Online 1-1 Sessions (Worldwide via Zoom)

Work with me directly to address your specific pain patterns and accelerate your progress.

BOOK ONLINE 1-1

In-Person 1-1 Lessons (Dublin)

Hands-on guidance for long-standing chronic pain.
Expect substantial improvements from the first session.

REQUEST AN IN-PERSON 1-1

You Don’t Have to Live With Chronic Pain

I know what it’s like to live with persistent pain. The frustration. The hopelessness. The way it affects your mood, your relationships, your work, your hobbies, your life.

I also know it doesn’t have to be this way.

If I can go from a decade of chronic pain to complete freedom, you can too.

You already have everything you need to resolve your chronic muscle pain. It’s right between your ears: your brain.

Let me show you how to use it.

I look forward to guiding you back to freedom and comfort.

Colm

P.S. Want to hear more about my story? Check out my guest appearance on the Prymal Podcast below:

"The Somatics workshop had the perfect amount of information and the perfect amount of doing the movements. I feel like a new woman!"
Lisa W.Washington
"You are an exceptional teacher. Your understanding of the material is obvious through your crystal clear cueing. You are able to explain somewhat complicated concepts in a succinct manor where by anyone without any knowledge of there anatomy can follow along easily."
Garda M.New Brunswick
"This has given me more confidence in myself to move forward”
June C.Seattle
"I’m always tight, and twisted in my left back, and I got to let it go! Thank you, thank you!"
Nancy M.Alberta
"I’ve had back issues on and off for the past 5 years or so and no physio, physical therapist or osteopath could resolve it. I came across Colm whilst listening to a podcast and everything he spoke about resonated with me so I decided to book a session with him. After a few simple and gentle exercises I genuinely couldn’t believe the difference in the quality of my movement. Since my one and only appointment, and with me staying consistent with the simple routine my back pain has all but disappeared. I’m genuinely bowled over by how effective Somatics has been for me."
Daniel C.Dublin
"Working with Colm one-on-one has changed my life! He has taught me so much about how to relieve my pain and ways to integrate somatics into my life, fine tuned just for me -- using tons of humor and patience. These sessions have worked where other modalities did not -- physical therapy, acupuncture, exercises, you name it, I tried everything and they all had failed where somatics with Colm has succeeded perfectly for me. Also working with Colm was WAY more fun. Very empathic and understanding of my individual needs, these one-on-one sessions have been a goldmine allowing me to look forward to a future where I am pain-free and able to do whatever i want to do! I can't imagine what life would be like without easy access to this training -- and I hope I never find out!"
Janice A.New Jersey
"To try to resolve my postural problems I tried 3 years of Chiropractic,Osteopathy,Sports Massage, Rolfing, Egoscue and any other modalities that you can find. Unfortunately none of them gave me much relief until I stumbled upon Somatics. After just 3 sessions I realised it was possible to get my alignment back completely and hope returned after a very long time. The only downside of Colm’s teachings is that I didn't find him years ago. I could have saved lots of money, time and bundles of frustration. If you want to feel better reach out and try just one session....it makes such a difference!”
Alesa O.Milan
"Somatics has helped me see life from another perspective. I was surprised that such simple movements could resolve my pain, increase my flexibility, and even improve my quality of life. Highly recommended!"
Mariel C.Dublin
"After two months being unable to walk correctly due to back pain and left knee pain I am now greatly improved after two in person one to one sessions. I am moving freely despite being in my mid sixties. I haven’t had this free movement in years! I would recommend Somatics to anyone with body movement issues. A great service, keep up the excellent work."
Brendan L.Dublin
"I had been doing Somatics for a while, following videos on YouTube, but doing an online 1-1 session with Colm really made a difference. He was very good at finding the movements that could address my problems and he was very thorough during the session, making sure I did all the movements properly, paying attention to every detail. I realised I had not been doing some of the movements properly. After only one session my body felt more relaxed and I feel I improve every time I repeat it on my own. Colm is always available to answer any questions I would have after the session. I would really recommend doing at least one live session with him, a great investment for your wellbeing."
Eric S.Ho Chi Minh
"After three sessions I feel more balanced, upright and less tense. I have learned how to get instant relief by practicing some basic movements. I’m also now engaging all the muscles in my body rather than putting excess strain on just a few. These movements can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. Highly recommended."
Stephen S.Dublin
"I had a recent shoulder injury and some niggling older problems. I find myself much freer now and I'm back playing tennis and enjoying my other activities."
Liz B.Dublin
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