Whether you run daily, do strength exercises often, or play a team sport, it is evident that being active is essential. Therefore, when an injury occurs, it can be devastating. Although, how you take care of yourself after the injury can make a world of difference regarding your recovery. Because of this, you want to know and follow these tips to ensure you recover quickly and get back to what you love to do.
Take Immediate Measures
Firstly, you want to take immediate action as soon as the injury occurs. There may be instances where you must be rushed to the hospital after a sports injury, especially if a brain injury is possible. But once you are out of the hospital and ready to begin the recovery process at home, you can start healing your body.
The best way to do this is by using the RICE method immediately. RICE stands for rest, icing, compression, and elevation. This method is excellent for injuries such as a sprain or a considerable amount of pain where the injury occurred. The RICE method was designed to minimize inflammation while allowing your body time to heal correctly.
Pursue Help
While the RICE method is suitable for body aches and sprains, if the injury has not improved within 24 to 48 hours after using that method or it gets worse, then it is time to pursue medical attention. Contact your doctor’s office to see if you can be seen. They can do testing, such as X-rays, to determine if a severe issue is occurring, such as a fracture or a broken bone. They can also check to see if you have any internal injuries. If any of your extremities or organs have been affected by your injury.
Listen to Doctors
Once your doctors have determined your injury, they can begin treating it. Your doctor will likely send you home with instructions on how to encourage the healing process best. It is imperative that you listen to your doctor’s instructions and follow their recommendations. You may also need to see a physical therapist from time to time until you are fully recovered to help keep you strong and speed up the healing process.
Maintain Your Strength
While healing from your sport’s injury, that does not mean you should become a couch potato. You want to keep your strength up so that when you recover, you can jump back into the sport you love so much. Of course, you want to be cautious of what you do to strengthen your body.
For example, if you have a knee injury, you can still work out your upper body and also attempt to perform simple leg lifts while sitting in a chair. Do not push yourself too hard, or you run the chance of exasperating your injury further and lengthening your recovery process.
Care For Your Mental Health
As an athlete, staying inactive for extended periods can be frustrating, especially if you are incredibly active daily. Although you may feel frustrated, staying positive as you recover is crucial. Remind yourself that this is temporary. If you listen to your doctor, do the exercises your physical therapist tells you to, and allow your body time to rest and heal, it will be worth it in the end. Sometimes these forced timeouts can benefit your mental health by finding new ways to relax your body and mind.
Patience Is a Virtue
Finally, remember that patience is a virtue needed as you recover from your injury. Too often, an athlete will want to rush back onto the field before their body is truly ready, and they end up right back where they started. Sometimes they are worse. As you recover, gently put yourself back out there, and do not push through any pain you may be experiencing. If there is pain, that is your body’s way of telling you to stop. You would benefit from listening to it.
