The Injury That Found Me Later: How Pilates Helped Me Heal Without Surgery
In a previous post, I shared how chronic hip pain and sciatica eventually brought my dance career to a close. What I didn’t share was the beginning—the moment it all started, even though I didn’t recognize it at the time.
I was 15, taking a ballet class at a new studio. It also happened to be my birthday. I remember the excitement, the pressure, the rush of wanting to impress. My body was still buzzing with adrenaline from a surprise party the night before. In that over-eager moment, I dropped into the splits—cold muscles and all.
And that’s when it happened: a sharp pull in my hamstring.
A Misguided Recovery
It hurt, but I was young and thought I could bounce back. I took six weeks off dancing, assuming rest was enough. I didn’t have access to physical therapy or any structured recovery—just time and hope. When I returned to class, I picked up where I thought I had left off. What I didn’t realize was that my body hadn’t truly healed. I was compensating in ways I couldn’t yet perceive.
Dancing Through the Pain
I danced on for nearly a decade—through high school, college, and into my early adult life. I trained hard. I performed. I pushed through… and the pain that once whispered began to roar. Eventually, it overwhelmed me. I had no choice but to stop dancing. It was heartbreaking, yes—but also clarifying.
Finding Healing Through Pilates
By then, Pilates had already entered my life. I had been practicing for a few years, always sensing it would be part of my path. When dance ended, I leaned into it more deeply—not just for movement, but for healing.
I began to tune in, to feel the muscles that had been “asleep,” to notice the patterns that once protected me but now held me back. Pilates became a re-education of my body—a rebuilding from the inside out.
With consistency, the pain eased. My mobility returned. Most importantly, I started to trust my body again.
A New Perspective on Healing
That old injury still flares up now and then, especially with prolonged sitting or high-impact activities—even as I write this. Someone recently asked why I haven’t considered surgery or sought a more “definitive” fix.
The truth? I take ownership of my body. I understand its needs and its limits. And I’ve learned that healing isn’t about fixing. It’s about listening, adapting, and supporting the body holistically.
Why I Chose a Different Path
Too often, I’ve seen clients go through surgery only to trade one issue for another. Doctors and surgeons, while skilled in their domain, aren’t trained in movement. Post-surgical care often ends at the surface—perhaps with limited physical therapy focused on one joint or muscle.
But true healing requires a broader lens: mindset, nutrition, stress, daily habits—all of it matters.
As Joseph Pilates wisely said, “Physical fitness cannot be achieved by wishful thinking or outright purchase.”
The Power Within
The power to heal lives within each of us. It begins with awareness. With slowing down. With moving intentionally and paying attention.
Surgery can be necessary. But for me, another path revealed itself—one grounded in learning, in mindful movement, and in deep, ongoing awareness. Pilates didn’t just help me recover—it helped me transform.
An Invitation to Your Own Healing Journey
If you’re navigating an injury of your own, I invite you to pause and listen to what your body might be trying to tell you.
What would change if you moved with gentleness and gave yourself space to grow?
If you're curious about how Pilates might support your journey, I’d love to connect. You're not alone—and healing is possible.
