Three Lessons from Chronic Pain that Prepared Me to Face My Trauma
They do say everything happens for a reason…
The pain began aged 16, bending down to tie my shoelaces. An agonising shooting pain in my lower back that confined to my bed for the day.
After physiotherapy failed to prevent a reoccurrence, I saw a consultant. ‘Is my spine supposed to be straight??’ I asked incredulously looking at the x-ray. The doctor diagnosed me with scoliosis and advised against surgery, saying it would cause more problems than it would fix. So life went on, with pain an occasional uninvited guest.
A decade later, the rude interruptions were accompanied by an ever present ache in my lower back and left leg. Painkillers became a necessary lifeline to get me through the day. This marked the start of a two-year journey, learning to live with and manage my pain.
Little did I know as my body began to feel safe and listened to, my brain was taking notice. Long repressed trauma memories had been biding their time, waiting for me to be strong enough to face them. My journey with pain got me to that place, so when the trauma started to make itself known, I was well-equipped to face it.
Here are three lessons I learnt from chronic pain that have helped me hugely in my trauma healing journey:
