Living with chronic pain is a complex journey that millions navigate silently every day. In a recent episode of “Spoonie Sisters,” we had the privilege of speaking with Mallory Carlson, an acupuncturist with nearly 12 years of professional experience and over 16 years of living with chronic migraines. Her story illuminates the unique perspective of someone who stands on both sides of healthcare—as both provider and patient.
Mallory’s journey into acupuncture was driven by her attraction to holistic healing approaches that blend analytical thinking with spiritual and creative elements. Interestingly, she made the intuitive decision to pursue acupuncture education before ever experiencing acupuncture treatment herself. Little did she know that this career choice would later become instrumental in managing her own chronic health issues.
For the past 16 years, Mallory has navigated the debilitating world of migraines. What began as occasional headaches during her acupuncture studies gradually intensified until she was experiencing severe episodes three to four times weekly—complete with vomiting and inability to function. After struggling to find effective treatments, a doctor’s suggestion to try muscle relaxers provided significant relief, reducing her migraines to approximately once monthly. However, these episodes remain just as debilitating when they strike, and she frequently feels herself “edging toward a flare-up” that requires immediate self-care to prevent a full-blown attack.
The mental health impact of chronic pain cannot be understated. Mallory speaks candidly about how isolation, guilt, and self-doubt become unwelcome companions on the chronic illness journey. Missing social events, canceling plans with friends, and questioning whether your needs are “too much” creates a cyclical pattern that can exacerbate suffering. Mallory emphasizes the importance of cultivating self-compassion—treating yourself with the same gentleness you would offer a friend going through a difficult time. Speaking kindly to your “inner child” and removing self-judgment are crucial practices she’s developed to maintain emotional wellbeing alongside physical challenges.
Perhaps one of the most painful aspects of chronic illness is the experience of being dismissed by medical providers. While Mallory found ways to manage her migraines through her own expertise, she experienced significant gaslighting regarding women’s health issues—with doctors frequently telling her they’d “never seen this before” and offering no viable solutions beyond risky surgery or simply enduring the pain indefinitely. After 14 years of struggling, Mallory finally found a doctor who immediately recognized her condition and had a treatment plan ready. She describes the physical reaction she had to finally being validated—an almost “brain glitch” as her body processed the shock of being seen and understood after years of dismissal.
Over time, Mallory has developed an impressive self-care toolkit for managing migraines. This includes topical creams, pain patches, heating pads, over-the-counter pain relievers, occasional muscle relaxers, TENS units, cannabis for pain and nausea, and gentle movement like walking. Through years of experience, she’s learned to read her body’s signals and expedite her recovery process—turning what once required days of recovery into a matter of hours.
This deeply personal journey led Mallory to create “The Audacious Patient,” a platform born from righteous anger at healthcare inequities and dedicated to empowering patients to navigate a confusing, often hostile medical system. By making complex healthcare information accessible and even “fun,” Mallory hopes to help others avoid the years of struggle she experienced. Her mission now extends beyond hands-on patient care to education and advocacy—reaching more people than she could through individual treatment alone.
Mallory’s story reminds us that sometimes our greatest challenges become our greatest gifts to others. By transforming her pain into purpose, she offers hope and practical guidance to fellow chronic illness warriors navigating similar journeys. Her message of self-compassion, persistence, and audacious self-advocacy serves as a powerful reminder that we deserve care that sees, validates, and helps us heal—body and spirit alike.
The Audacious Patient: Finding Your Voice in a Broken Healthcare System
