Dealing with an athletic injury can be difficult for you and your sporting career. Unfortunately, it can take a toll on your fitness levels. Fortunately, there are many ways you can get back on track with your fitness journey and heal from your athletic injury right away. Below are some tips to help your injury heal and reduce the risk of further damage.
1. Seek Physical Therapy
Clients that get help from physical therapy within the first two weeks of a knee, back, or neck injury reduce the need for taking prescription pain medication. For any sports injury, a physical therapist can help create an individualized plan for you to regain range of motion, strength, and stability. They can also provide advice on how to prevent future injuries and proper strategies for recovery.
2. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is one of the most important strategies for recovery after an athletic injury. Not only does increased water intake help to flush out toxins from your body, but it can also aid in reducing inflammation and pain. In addition, if you’re one of the 66 million Americans that went for a run between 2008 and 2014, chances are you want to start running again as soon as possible. Staying hydrated is critical for overall fitness, especially if you’re planning on getting back into running.
3. Rest
One of the most important steps in recovering from an athletic injury is rest. Rest allows your body to heal properly and helps reduce any swelling or pain associated with the injury. Depending on the severity of your injury, your doctor may recommend a certain amount of time off from sport activities in order to fully heal. Remember, the more rest you allow yourself, the better chance your body has to heal and get stronger.
Sadly, some athletes choose to ignore their injury and continue pushing through it. This may lead to more serious injuries, so it is important to properly give your body the rest and attention it needs in order to heal.
4. Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating healthy is always important for maintaining an overall fit lifestyle, but it is especially important for injury recovery. A balanced diet consisting of nutrient-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates can help promote healing and reduce inflammation. Eating healthy can also help to reduce the amount of time you need off from your physical activities, allowing you to get back on track with your fitness goals in no time!
If you need help determining the best diet, talk to a nutritionist who can help create a meal plan specifically tailored to your body and needs. While you might think diet is not important for recovery, it can make a huge difference in how your body heals.
5. Follow Up With Your Doctor
By far, the best way to get back on your fitness journey and prevent any further injury is to follow up with your doctor. Following the advice that they provide, such as physical therapy and rest, can help you heal faster and more effectively than just taking matters into your own hands. They can also advise on how to reduce any risk of re-injury or future injuries. In addition, you might need more serious treatment than resting and icing your injury, such as a bone graft.
The four most common reasons people receive bone grafts include multiple fractures that don’t heal properly, fusion to help two bones heal across a damaged joint, bone regeneration following disease or injury, and for healing the bones after certain medical devices are implanted.
These tips can help you on your journey of healing from an athletic injury. By seeking physical therapy, staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet, as well as following up with your doctor for more serious treatment if necessary, you can help your injury heal and reduce the risk of further damage.
Elor McDori
