I am Alina, the creator and writer of Notes from the Body, a blog shaped by my own experience of living with chronic pain.
My journey has involved years of searching for answers, dealing with changing symptoms, and trying to understand why pain could affect so many parts of my life. Along the way, I became increasingly interested in how pain works, the role of the nervous system, and the emotional challenges that come with persistent symptoms.
What began as a search for answers gradually became something I wanted to share with others.
Why I Created This Blog
I remember how much it meant to hear someone else describe an experience so similar to mine. For the first time in a long while, I felt understood.
That experience stayed with me. I realised that sharing what we go through can be just as valuable as sharing what we learn.
I created Notes from the Body to bring those two things together: personal experience and information that might help someone better understand what they are going through.
How I Research and Write
My writing combines personal experience with scientific research and information from reputable medical and health organisations.
When exploring a health topic, I examine the available evidence and try to make complex information easier to understand. I also believe it’s important to recognise where research is still developing and to distinguish between what science tells us and what I’ve found helpful in my life.
I’m not a healthcare professional. I share this information to educate and support understanding, not to replace personalised medical advice.
My Writing Beyond This Blog
In September 2026, the U.S. Pain Foundation published my article Boundaries Without Guilt: Learning to Say No When You Live With Chronic Pain.
The piece explores something I’ve struggled with personally: the guilt that can accompany setting boundaries when living with chronic pain, even when those boundaries are necessary.
You can also read My Chronic Pain Journey to learn more about the experiences that led me to create this blog.