Entangled bodies: Reimagining women’s chronic pain experience in the military through a new materialist perspective

Women in military contexts navigate chronic pain shaped by intersecting social, institutional, and material factors. Military institutions, grounded in masculine ideals, often exacerbate these challenges, influencing how pain is experienced, managed, and communicated. Chronic pain among women is frequently dismissed or pathologized, compelling them to conform to medical expectations to be taken seriously. Gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and migration further compound these experiences. Additionally, military women shoulder gendered caregiving roles and may face personal or systemic trauma, deepening their vulnerabilities. Their bodies are enmeshed in military systems, technologies, and equipment, creating dynamic entanglements that influence pain. This article examines how these complexities shape chronic pain among military women and how an ethics of care can foster systemic change. By exploring the interplay of physiology, psychology, and social dimensions in militarized environments, this article advocates for compassionate and intersectional approaches to addressing chronic pain. Through this lens, it seeks to highlight the unique experiences of military women and promote culture change for improved care and well-being.