The Chronic Pain Project – Illuminating The Invisible

Living with chronic pain is an isolating and often invisible experience that many struggle to articulate. When the pain you live with isn’t visible to the outside world, it can be challenging for others to understand the depth of your suffering. This disconnect can leave those with chronic pain feeling unheard, misunderstood, and alone. But what if there was a way to bridge that gap? To communicate the complexities of chronic pain beyond words?

Enter The Chronic Pain Project, a unique initiative blending art and storytelling to raise awareness and foster community among people living with chronic pain. Founded by Jana Kimmel, a passionate advocate with a rich background in design, theater, and healthcare research, this project offers a creative and healing outlet for chronic pain warriors to share their stories in a way that words alone often cannot capture.

In this article, we dive deep into The Chronic Pain Project, exploring the importance of community, the invisibility of chronic pain, and how art can serve as a powerful therapeutic tool. We’ll also hear from Jana herself about her personal journey and the transformative impact this project has on participants.

Understanding the Invisible Burden of Chronic Pain

For those living with chronic pain, the experience is often invisible to others. Jana Kimmel shares her own story of living with chronic migraines and musculoskeletal pain for over 30 years. Unlike visible injuries such as a broken leg or arm, chronic pain doesn’t always show outward signs. People may not recognize your suffering because there are no crutches, casts, or obvious physical markers.

This invisibility leads to a profound sense of isolation. Others may question the legitimacy of the pain or fail to offer support because they cannot see it. Jana notes how people often don’t know how to help or even recognize that a conversation about chronic pain needs to happen. This lack of understanding can contribute to feelings of frustration, guilt, shame, and being invalidated—not only by strangers but sometimes by family members and even healthcare providers.

“People don’t look at me and say, ‘Oh, you look like somebody that’s in pain or you might need some help.’”

Living with pain for years or decades alters your daily life in ways many don’t realize. It impacts your ability to work, socialize, care for loved ones, or even engage in hobbies. The chronic nature of the pain means it’s not just a temporary setback; it’s a persistent, life-altering condition.

The Birth of The Chronic Pain Project

The Chronic Pain Project was born out of Jana’s personal experience and her professional work as a qualitative researcher in healthcare. While working with companies designing products for musculoskeletal pain, she realized that engineers and designers often lacked a full understanding of the lived experience of chronic pain sufferers. The project aims to fill that empathy gap by bringing real stories to the forefront using art and storytelling.

Jana’s multidisciplinary background—combining industrial design, theater, costume design, and healthcare research—uniquely positions her to create this innovative project. It is a culmination of her passion for health, healing, and creative expression.

Through The Chronic Pain Project, Jana and her team invite people living with chronic pain to share their stories in recorded conversations. Participants then create original pieces of art that visually represent their experiences. This art can range from simple sketches to complex sculptures, reflecting the diversity and individuality of each person’s pain journey.

Community and Connection Through Art

One of the most powerful aspects of The Chronic Pain Project is its emphasis on community. Chronic pain can be deeply isolating, but through this initiative, people find connection and validation. Social media has played a significant role in normalizing conversations about chronic pain, allowing people to share memes or stories that resonate with others. Still, the project offers a more intimate and creative space to be truly seen and heard.

“When I have a bad day and look online and see all these memes and people saying, ‘Yay, I got out of bed today,’ or ‘I can’t get out of bed today,’ it’s incredibly normalizing.”

Participants often describe the relief of having someone listen without judgment and the freedom to express feelings that are difficult to put into words. The act of creating art becomes a form of emotional release and self-exploration, helping participants process their pain on multiple levels.

Art as a Therapeutic Modality for Chronic Pain

Art therapy is widely recognized for its ability to tap into the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of pain. The Chronic Pain Project leverages this by encouraging participants to translate their invisible pain into visible, tangible forms.

Biologically, engaging in creative activities can reduce pain perception. Studies show that making art can lower reported pain levels during the activity, and even viewing art can have soothing effects on the nervous system. Psychologically, art provides a safe space to explore and express complex emotions like grief, frustration, and hope. Socially, sharing art fosters connection and understanding among people who may otherwise feel isolated.

Jana explains how each piece of art is a unique language reflecting the artist’s personal pain story. For example, one participant used layers of color and texture to represent migraines and bruises, while another described the process as a way to “know when the work stops yelling at me,” signaling boundaries with pain.

Examples from Participants

• One artist incorporated reds, purples, blues, and greens to symbolize different pain experiences like migraines and bruises.


• Another participant noted that creating the art allowed her to work at her own pace, taking breaks when the pain became overwhelming, which gave her control over the process.


• Many expressed profound enjoyment in the opportunity to talk about their creative process and be truly listened to.

These stories highlight the project’s commitment to honoring each individual’s experience and the healing potential of self-directed creative expression.

Upcoming Events and Future Plans

The Chronic Pain Project is not just a one-time initiative but an evolving community effort. The project culminates in an art exhibit showcasing the participants’ work. The launch event is scheduled to take place in Portland, Oregon, with plans to expand to other cities and venues. Workshops and performances are also in the pipeline to further engage the community and expand access to art as therapy for chronic pain.

For those interested in exploring the project or supporting its mission, more information is available on their website, chronicpainproject.org. The site features a gallery of art, participant stories, and resources, as well as event details and opportunities to get involved.

Balancing Passion and Pain: Jana’s Personal Journey

Jana’s dedication to The Chronic Pain Project is deeply personal. She lives with chronic migraines and other pain conditions but continues to work full-time and lead this nonprofit initiative. She describes the project as both energizing and draining—sometimes challenging, but ultimately fulfilling.

Her journey underscores a vital lesson for anyone living with chronic pain: finding purpose and connection can be a powerful way to manage pain, even on difficult days. Jana credits recent pharmaceutical advances for reducing her migraine frequency, which has helped her maintain the energy needed to push the project forward.

She encourages others to remain curious, keep seeking solutions, and allow themselves the grace to rest when needed. The path with chronic pain is rarely linear, but with community, creativity, and persistence, there is hope for better days.

Why The Chronic Pain Project Matters

Chronic pain is complex, multifaceted, and deeply personal. It affects every aspect of life—biological, psychological, and social. The Chronic Pain Project embraces this complexity by providing a platform for people to share their stories through art, fostering empathy and understanding among the public and healthcare professionals alike.

By illuminating the invisible, the project helps break down stigma and isolation, offering validation and community to those who often feel unseen. It also highlights the therapeutic power of art, not only as a form of communication but as a means of reducing pain and promoting healing.

Most importantly, The Chronic Pain Project reminds us that behind every chronic pain diagnosis is a unique human story deserving of attention, respect, and care.

How You Can Get Involved

If you or a loved one live with chronic pain and are interested in sharing your story through art, The Chronic Pain Project welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds. Whether you are an artist or a beginner, your experience matters.

Visit chronicpainproject.org to learn more about upcoming events, view the art gallery, and find resources to support your journey. You can also subscribe to their newsletter or consider donating to help provide art supplies and expand the project’s reach.

For those simply seeking to understand chronic pain better, exploring the art and stories from this project offers a powerful window into the lived experience of millions worldwide.

Final Thoughts: Hope and Healing Through Creativity

Chronic pain can feel overwhelming and unrelenting, but initiatives like The Chronic Pain Project offer hope. By embracing art as therapy, people living with chronic pain can find new ways to express themselves, connect with others, and reclaim some control over their lives.

Jana Kimmel’s vision and dedication demonstrate the profound impact that creativity and community can have on healing. Whether you are a chronic pain warrior, caregiver, healthcare provider, or simply someone seeking to understand, The Chronic Pain Project is a testament to the power of art to illuminate the invisible and transform pain into connection and hope.

Remember, if you live with chronic pain, you are not alone. Your story deserves to be heard and seen—in whatever form that takes.

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