The only way through it: How Sebastian learned to manage chronic pain

Sebastian Sachs is passionate about theater production and team sports, two unrelated activities that have a lot in common. Both require a dedicated group of people working toward one common goal — something that could also be said about Sebastian’s experience learning how to manage chronic pain.

“It felt like I was on a medical TV show,” Sebastian says of their experience at Boston Children’s Young Adult Pain Rehabilitation Center. “There was a whole team of experts just focused on me.”

An active life, sidelined by pain

Now 23, Sebastian first noticed hand and arm pain in 2021 while participating in long-distance cycling between high school and college. Initially diagnosed as tendonitis, and confirmed by an MRI scan, the pain improved with time. “I thought, ‘Great, we know what this is and can treat it,’” Sebastian remembers.

But the following year, as a theater production major at Boston University, Sebastian noticed that not only had the pain returned, but it had also spread to their legs and back. The active nature of theater production — including heavy lifting — only seemed to make it worse, as did Sebastian’s participation on the school’s quadball team.

“It really started to affect my legs after I played in our first major tournament,” they say.

A new plan falls into place

After further testing found no clear cause for the pain, Sebastian was referred to Boston Children’s Pain Treatment Center. Sebastian had multiple appointments with different providers each week, learning how to manage chronic pain through physical therapy, pain psychology, and medication.

“It was comforting because I realized that I wasn’t alone — they see people with chronic pain all the time,” says Sebastian. “But it was also daunting because I knew it would take a while for me to feel better.”

By the end of 2024 — following surgery for a torn ACL — Sebastian knew it was time to take the next step. Dr. Christine Greco and her team in the Pain Treatment Center suggested that Sebastian try Boston Children’s Young Adult Pain Rehabilitation Center, a more intensive rehabilitative program for young adults between ages 18 and 26 who have ongoing chronic pain. With a lighter class schedule than usual, it was the perfect time for Sebastian to commit: “Everything just fell into place.”

Making pain management part of life

Although Sebastian wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the Young Adult Pain Rehabilitation Center, they soon found that they were already familiar with many of the pain management approaches being used there.

“Nothing felt new and I hadn’t been doing things wrong,” says Sebastian. “I just needed a deeper dive and more dedication to get over that final hump.”

To that end, the Center’s team showed Sebastian how to incorporate techniques like deep breathing, stretching, exercise, and pacing breaks into day-to-day life. “Now, they’re just typical activities for me and part of my overall well-being, not just pain management,” says Sebastian.

Something great on the other side

Since graduating from the Center, Sebastian still has some pain — but they also have the tools to manage it and can do everything they want to do physically. A senior in college, they dream of being able to combine their love of theater production and sports. “I would love to help plan the next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles,” they say.

And they’ve found that the years spent learning to manage chronic pain has been worth it.

“The only way through it,” says Sebastian, “is through it. It’s hard, but having the right team helping you makes all the difference — and so does knowing there’s something great waiting for you on the other side.”

Learn more about our Pain Treatment Center and Young Adult Pain Rehabilitation Center.