Podcast Episode 14: When Injuries Can Become Your Identity
Podcast Episode 14: When Injuries Can Become Your Identity with Donovan Pyle
In the second part of our long chat with Psychotherapist Donovan Pyle, we continue our deep discussion into many of the psychological aspects of health and injury.
In this section, we particularly look at topics such as when people's injuries become their identity and how this can become a road block to recovery. We also discuss the importance of setting boundaries as a therapist and how across all modes of therapy, it is impossible to help absolutely all clients. We then look at how a therapist can manage the stress of this.
What Our Experts Say
An injury can affect far more than the painful area. When someone has lived with symptoms for a long time, it can influence their confidence, daily choices and how they see themselves. Pilates can provide a supportive environment in which they can explore movement, rebuild trust in their body and focus on what they are able to do, rather than allowing the injury to define them. Progress should always feel individual, gradual and empowering.
Key Takeaways
- An injury can become part of your identity – When an injury becomes closely connected to how you see yourself, it may begin to influence more than your physical symptoms.
- Identifying with an injury can become a barrier to recovery – Seeing yourself primarily as an injured person may make it harder to recognise progress or move forward.
- The psychological impact of injury matters – Recovery is not always purely physical, and the way someone thinks and feels about their injury can form an important part of their experience.
- Therapists need clear boundaries – Maintaining appropriate boundaries is an important part of supporting clients while protecting the therapist’s own wellbeing.
- No therapist can help every client – Different people respond to different approaches, and recognising professional limitations can help therapists manage the pressures of their work.
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FAQs
1. Why am I scared to exercise after an injury?
It is common to worry that movement might cause pain or another injury. This fear of movement is sometimes called kinesiophobia and may lead you to avoid activities even after it is safe to begin exercising again. A physiotherapist can help you rebuild confidence through gradual, appropriate movement.
2. Can stress make an old injury hurt again?
Stress does not necessarily mean that you have damaged the area again, but it can increase muscle tension and influence how strongly you experience pain. Relaxation, appropriate movement and support with the causes of your stress may all form part of managing your symptoms.
3. Can pain continue after an injury has healed?
Yes. Persistent pain can sometimes continue beyond the expected healing period because the nervous system has become more sensitive. This does not mean that the pain is imaginary, but it may mean that recovery needs to consider more than tissue healing alone.
4. How can I regain confidence after an injury?
Begin with manageable activities and increase the challenge gradually as your confidence and physical ability improve. Working towards goals that are meaningful to you can help you focus on what your body can do rather than becoming preoccupied with the injured area. A tailored rehabilitation programme can provide additional guidance and reassurance.
5. When should I seek psychological support after an injury?
Consider speaking to a healthcare professional when an injury is having an ongoing effect on your mood, sleep, relationships or willingness to move. Psychological support can work alongside physical rehabilitation to address fear, stress and the wider emotional impact of being injured.
Feeling Inspired?
If you want to experience the Complete difference and discover the benefits of one-to-one or small group Pilates, book a session at one of our London or Norfolk studios today. Not able to make it to one of our studios? We've got online options to suit you anywhere, anytime.
Our physiotherapist-led Chelsea Pilates studio, our Angel Pilates studio, our Pilates studio in London City, and our Norfolk Pilates studio in East Anglia, offer a highly tailored approach to your Pilates training. Whether your goal is to manage a health condition, rehabilitate from an injury or to improve your strength and fitness, Complete Pilates is the studio for you.
Education is Key
These blogs are designed to give information to everyone, however, it is important to remember that everyone is different! If you have not seen one of our therapists and have any questions about injuries, what you have read or whether this may be useful to you, please just ask. We are more than happy to help anyone and point you in the right direction. Our biggest belief is that education is key. The more you understand about your injury, illness and movement, the more you are likely to improve.
If you are not sure whether this is for you, simply get in touch. We are here to help!
Published 5 Jan 2021 · Updated 3 Aug 2026