Sports and Injury: When the Body Refuses to Return to the Field
When the body is ready… but the system holds it back
Logbook – EMDR PEPS practice
When it comes to sports injuries, I often picture a car that’s been repaired… but whose parking brake is still engaged.
The engine is running. The parts have been replaced. The light is green.
But something is holding us back from moving forward fully.
In EMDR teleconsultations, athletes rarely speak of “fear” in the literal sense. Instead, they describe a sense of restraint, hesitation, or a movement that no longer flows as it used to.
As if the body knew how to do it… but no longer wanted to take the risk.
In my EMDR PEPS practice, this type of blockage is never viewed as a lack of confidence. It is interpreted as a trace left by the accident that is still active in the nervous system.
It is this approach that allows for detailed work, even when providing support via video conferencing.
Sports and Injury
When physical healing isn't enough
After an injury, the protocol is clear: Rehabilitation. Strength training. Medical clearance.
The body is ready. And yet, in the clinic, we always see the same thing: the movement doesn't fully return.
These events then serve as indicators:
- Anxiety before a procedure
- Hesitation in committing
- Change in movement
- Loss of fluidity
Clinical experience shows that physical healing does not guarantee the restoration of movement.
Interested in learning more about EMDR? Let’s start by having a conversation.
The tipping point
A moment that remains vivid
In most cases, there is a specific moment: the accident. The fall. The impact.
This moment is imprinted with intense emotional and sensory charge. In therapy, it is not the event itself that is the problem. It is the way it remains active within the system.
The brain doesn't treat it as a past memory. It keeps it as a reference.
What's under the hood
A system that anticipates repetition
The nervous system has a simple function: to prevent this from happening again.
Based on the initial event, the body forms an association: movement = potential danger
Even if the injury has healed, this association can remain active. In clinical practice, we always see the same pattern: the body slows down even before a conscious decision is made.
The symptoms then become warning signs:
- Muscle stiffness
- Slowing down the movement
- Loss of spontaneity
- Over-control
If these factors are not viewed as a defensive response, they can be interpreted as a regression.
The role of EMDR in this type of issue
Clean up the aftermath of the accident
EMDR does not aim to “restore confidence.” It works on the memory of the event as it is stored. In this type of situation, the work involves:
- Pinpointing the exact moment of the accident
- Access related sensory elements
- Dealing with emotional stress
- Allow a system update
This work changes the way the brain interprets the situation.
You shouldn't force the movement.
We remove whatever is preventing it from unfolding.
EMDR via video call: a process directly connected to the body
Observe movement in one's surroundings
In the sports context, video conferencing enables practical training.
The athlete is in his or her environment:
- at home
- at his training facility
- under real-world conditions
This is where the reactions appear. This framework allows for:
- close observation of subtle reactions
- work directly related to the action
- a phased integration
Distance isn't a barrier. It often makes things more accessible.
Example of support
When the movement stops
For example, I’m working with an athlete who has resumed training after a medically cleared injury. Objectively speaking, everything is functioning properly.
And yet, a roadblock remains:
- some hesitation before committing
- a loss of fluidity
- a sensation of braking
During the session, the focus wasn’t on the performance itself. It was on the moment of the accident. On the specific image. On the associated sensations.
As this imprint was reworked, the movement returned without any conscious effort.
The Workflow
Let the movement flow rather than control it
When faced with this kind of blockage, forcing the issue or trying to rationalize it is often ineffective. The system isn’t lacking information; it’s in protection mode.
EMDR therapy involves:
- disable the danger association
- reduce anticipation
- restore smooth flow
We don't force the body to go there. We allow it to stop holding back.
Preparing for your first session
Working with precision
In these situations, the first session allows you to:
- identify the key moment
- recognize physical reactions
- understand how the system works
The work is done with precision. The pace allows for a gradual return to work.
Conclusion
When movement feels natural again
A mental block following a sports injury is not a lack of willpower. It is a response from the nervous system that remains active even after the body has healed.
EMDR via video call allows you to work directly on the emotional impact of the accident. Once that impact is processed, movement returns—not through effort.
But because the system no longer needs to brake.
Would you like to discuss how to overcome a setback following an injury? An initial consultation will help determine whether this type of support is right for you.
