Case Study: Reclaiming Life from Chronic Pain, Trauma, and Loss of Confidence

Client: Female, 50
Presenting concerns: Long-term chronic pain, mobility difficulties, trauma symptoms, and low mood

The Situation

When this client came to work with me, she had been living with significant pain and mobility issues for over 20 years.

She was:

Walking with two sticks
Experiencing persistent back, neck, and leg pain
Believing that her spine had been permanently damaged following previous accidents

She had been diagnosed with:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression

Medical scans, including MRIs, had shown changes in her spine—but these did not fully explain the severity or persistence of her symptoms.

Over time, she had understandably come to see herself as:

Physically limited
Dependent on others
“Cursed” by repeated negative experiences

Understanding the Root Cause

Initially, we focused on trauma symptoms following a more recent accident. However, as our work progressed, deeper patterns began to emerge.

Her original fall down the stairs had been:

Sudden and frightening
Accompanied by a sense of powerlessness
Intensified by being away from home and without her husband

Years later, another accident triggered similar emotions—reawakening unresolved trauma.

At a deeper level, we uncovered:

Long-standing beliefs of being “cursed” or unlucky
Fear, silence, and lack of power within key relationships
Suppressed anger, grief, and betrayal that had never been fully processed

From a mind-body perspective, her pain appeared to:

Flare when she felt disempowered or unheard
Reinforce dependence and avoidance
Keep her stuck in a cycle of fear, limitation, and reduced activity

The Approach

I supported her using a trauma-informed, mind-body and cognitive-behavioural approach, working at her pace to gently build understanding and trust.

Key elements of the work included:

1. Building understanding of pain

Education around chronic vs acute pain
Exploring how the nervous system can maintain pain even without ongoing damage
Gently questioning long-held beliefs about “permanent injury”

4. Challenging core beliefs

Identifying and shifting beliefs such as “I am cursed”
Using behavioural experiments to test fears (including long-held superstitions)

2. Processing trauma safely

Trauma-focused work to reduce PTSD symptoms
Mindfulness and grounding techniques to manage distress
Learning to feel and tolerate emotions without becoming overwhelmed

5. Rebuilding identity and independence

Moving from a “victim” identity to a more empowered self-view
Gradually increasing activity and reducing avoidance
Encouraging autonomy within relationships

3. Releasing suppressed emotions

Journalling and unsent letters to express anger, grief, and betrayal
Normalising emotions she had previously felt ashamed of

A Turning Point

One of the most powerful moments in therapy came when she challenged a long-standing fear linked to her mother-in-law—believing that even saying her name could bring harm.

By gently testing this belief in session, she was able to:

Break a fear that had shaped her behaviour for years
Experience a sense of control and freedom
Notice a corresponding reduction in pain

This marked a significant shift—from fear and avoidance to confidence and empowerment.

The Outcome

Over the course of our work together, the changes were meaningful and visible.

By the end of treatment:

Pain had reduced significantly in intensity and impact
She progressed from using two sticks to using one—and sometimes none
Trauma symptoms reduced substantially
Mood and anxiety improved

More importantly:

She felt more in control of her life and relationships
She developed a stronger, more compassionate sense of self
She began to see herself as capable, resilient, and independent

Why This Matters

This case reflects something I often see in chronic pain:

When pain becomes linked with fear, identity, and unresolved emotional experiences, it can persist long after the original injury.

But that doesn’t mean it’s permanent.

With the right support, it’s possible to:

Reduce long-standing pain
Rebuild confidence in your body
Regain independence and quality of life

If You Recognise Yourself in This

If you’ve been living with chronic pain for years—especially when explanations feel incomplete or progress has stalled—you’re not alone.

There may be more going on beneath the surface, and importantly, that means there are more ways to help.

This is the focus of my chronic illness therapy work—supporting you to understand the connection between your body, emotions, and experiences, so you can begin to move forward again.

You might find it helpful to explore:

My blogs on chronic pain and the nervous system
Articles on trauma and physical symptoms
Or learn more about working with me directly

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