When Shoulder Pain Led Me Back to My Healing Journey

For the past few months, I’ve been dealing with a nagging shoulder pain that just wouldn’t shift.

At first, I did what I always do — physio exercises, stretches, heat, rest, anti-inflammatory foods. I thought it was just one of those things. But the pain kept getting worse.

And quietly, in the background… so did the fear.

The Fear That Lingers After Cancer

When you’ve had cancer — in my case, 17 years ago — your mind can jump to worst-case scenarios quicker than you’d like. You try to stay rational, grounded, calm… but when your body sends signals that something’s not right, it’s hard not to panic.

I’d recently read Sir Chris Hoy’s book, where he shared how his cancer diagnosis started with shoulder pain.

That stuck with me. And it played on my mind more than I wanted to admit.

Eventually, my GP agreed to send me for an x-ray.

The Diagnosis I Didn’t Expect

The results came back: arthritis.

I was shocked. Honestly, I hadn’t even considered that. I’m 62, yes — but I take my health seriously. I live a life full of movement, nutrition, mindfulness, and purpose. After everything I’ve been through, my health is non-negotiable.

But here it was — a new diagnosis, and a new challenge.

And after the initial shock wore off, I did what I always do — I started looking for solutions. Natural ones. Holistic ones. Ones that align with my belief in the body’s ability to heal.

A Familiar Name, and a Forgotten Article

That’s when I remembered something.

Years ago, my brilliant Nutritional Healing teacher and mentor Ali Holden shared an article about something called DMSO — a natural anti-inflammatory compound derived from trees. At the time, it sounded fascinating, but I didn’t need it then.

Now? It feels like the right time to revisit it.

And as it happens, DMSO is suddenly everywhere online — especially on X/Twitter — being rediscovered by a whole new generation of health seekers.

👉 You can read Ali’s original article here:
“What is DMSO?” by Ali Holden

Why I’m Trying DMSO

I’ve decided to give DMSO a go.

Not because I think it’s a miracle cure. Not because of trends. But because I’ve always believed in the body’s ability to heal when given the right tools. And because I’ve learned to trust my intuition.

🔔 Important note: This is not medical advice. Please always check with your doctor before trying anything new, especially if you’re on medications or managing ongoing conditions.

I’ll be using DMSO alongside the things I already do — clean nutrition, gentle movement, rest, mindset work. It’s one more part of the puzzle.

I’ll Keep You Posted

I don’t believe in quick fixes. But I do believe in being open to new (or old) ideas that support our health from the inside out.

So I’ll share how it goes — honestly, openly, and with compassion.

If you’ve tried DMSO yourself, or have your own natural healing journey to share, I’d love to hear from you in the comments or by email.

Because one thing I know for sure?

Healing never stops.
And we don’t have to do it alone.

With love and curiosity,
Gabby 💛
Confidence After Cancer