What we covered in our chat
In this episode of the Well Workplaces podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Neala Fulia, founder of MoreGoodDays, a company that provides accessible, evidence-based care for people living with persistent pain conditions like back pain. We covered a lot of ground in our chat, but the key message was clear: chronic pain is complex, but with the right support and education, people can reclaim control over their lives.
Pain is real - but you can retrain the pain response system
One of the things that stood out in our conversation was Neala’s clarity around the neuroscience of pain. As she explained, chronic pain is not “all in your head”, however your brain and nervous system do play a massive role in how pain is processed and stays around. Citing Professor Lorimer Moseley from the University of South Australia, she explained how neural pathways get more efficient at producing pain the more they are used. That’s where retraining the pain response system becomes critical.
By combining education, movement, psychological support, and coaching, it’s a whole-person approach, tackling not just the symptoms but the underlying systems that fuel persistent pain.
The MoreGoodDays approach to recovery
The MoreGoodDays app delivers its content through a hybrid model of education via mobile app plus guidance from real practitioners. The first week is all about validating the person’s experience and preparing them mentally for the journey ahead. The second week dives into pain science, delivered in a way that’s engaging and digestible. Then, it starts layering in the relationship between pain, emotions, and stress followed by strategies around movement, pacing, and recovery.
The real magic, Neala said, happens in that first month. If people stick with it through those first four weeks, their entire understanding of pain starts to shift, and suddenly, the things that seemed impossible (like increasing movement without a flare-up) become manageable.
Breaking the boom-bust cycle
As a physio myself, I’ve seen firsthand how many people with chronic pain fall into the trap of the boom-bust cycle - where they do too much on a “good” day, flare up, and retreat again. This inconsistency can chip away at confidence. Neala and I discussed how graded exposure to movement, paired with education, helps people build both physical and psychological resilience. It’s not about avoiding activity but learning how to approach it in a way that’s sustainable.
The future of personalised pain care
We also looked ahead to where things are going. From innovations in pain-specific medications to the use of AI in tailoring treatment, Neala is clearly passionate about future-proofing MoreGoodDays. One exciting area is how they plan to personalise the content even further—delivering tailored experiences based on someone’s pain type, history, and unique challenges.
Final thoughts
Chronic pain can be an isolating, frustrating experience -but with companies like MoreGoodDays, people don’t have to navigate it alone. The blend of evidence-based care, technology, and empathy is exactly what this space needs. Massive thanks to Neala for coming on and sharing her story and expertise.
Written by Tom Bosna
April 2025