How your internal narrative shapes pain and recovery

In this post we discuss how your internal narrative shapes pain and recovery and what you can do to change it.

The story we tell ourselves about our lives is very powerful. This is particularly true if you are trying to recover from ongoing pain and injury. 

In these situations your internal narrative may be that you’re fragile, or that your body is broken. 

You might blame incidents that happened years ago for your current predicament. Or you may be wedded to unhelpful practices that are holding you back. 

This can leave you trapped in a frustrating cycle of pain and discomfort. 

First recognise where you are 

If you’ve been following a treatment plan for several months and it’s not working, the first step is acknowledging that fact. 

There are lots of well-intentioned people involved in rehab, but the best thing you can do for them and yourself is to be honest.

Whilst recovery can take time, progress should be obvious in weeks rather than months. 

Prioritise data over sensation

Often the picture we have of our issue isn’t entirely accurate. What you feel and what is actually the case may be different realities. That’s why objective data is so important. 

It’s also helpful in beginning to alter the story you have told yourself. 

For example, if you believe all your issues stem from the right side of your body, but objectively, your left side has greater deficits in strength and range of motion, this realisation can start to shift how you see your situation

Without data, my thoughts, yours and everyone else’s are just opinions. 

Give your brain credible evidence you are safe

One of the benefits of resistance training is the control it gives you. No other form of exercise allows you to control which joints move, how far they move, and under how much load.

This is important when training with pain as it can lower the threat your central nervous system perceives. This alone can reduce pain. 

Positivity improves results 

How you view your current situation and the hope you have that it’s possible to feel better has a direct influence on your results. 

A positive mindset has been shown to influence everything from wound healing to recovery time and overall outcomes.

Summary

If you want to feel better, the place to start is with the story you tell yourself about your current circumstances. 

Work with people who can provide you with a compelling narrative that change is possible and who use data to demonstrate that fact. 

Nobody is actually broken. If you can move, you can be helped.