Have you been on the bench for a while?
We know you’re itching to get out of the house once again and back to the sport you love. But, if you have sustained a sports injury, you’ll need to rest, rehabilitate, and regroup.
Even if you are eager to get back into the swing of things right away, it is not always the best choice. Consider your rest period as part of your comeback plan, not time off.
Here are several things you can do to stay active during this difficult period and feel like you’re working towards getting back to 100%.
Contact Your Doctor or Physician
Before you lace up your sneakers, speak with a doctor. You may even be surprised to hear that they give you consent to resume your activity in some capacity.
However, you won’t know unless you ask.
A professional give you honest feedback on whether you’re ready to resume your sport. If they think you need more time to heal, remember that they’re looking out for your best interests.
Visit a Specialized Therapist
If you want to recover faster, consider expanding your team of care professionals. Ask a sports therapist to schedule an appointment and invest in weekly sessions. Just make sure that you’re seeking our a professional who has taken sports massage courses and can prove licensure. Do not ask a friend or coach for a massage, as they may make the injury worse.
Professionals like physical therapists will give you specific exercises to heal the affected area.
Prepare Yourself Mentally
If you want to prevent injury from happening again, spend this time reflecting on how you were hurt and what you could do better next time.
It is also an excellent moment to focus on staying optimistic. As most sports injuries are just temporary, remind yourself that you will return to your favorite activity soon.
Always Listen to Your Body
It is ok if you feel a little uneasy about returning to your activity. Listen to your body. Pushing yourself to exercise through a slight soreness can help you achieve progress. You should never be in pain, and you should feel much better after you stop moving.
If the soreness is severe or lasts for an hour or more after you have stopped your activity, you’ve gone too far. You may need to rest for a day or two before attempting again. Maintain a moderate intensity while doing so, so you can enjoy your workout both during and after it.
Find Other Ways to Stay Fit
Cross-training, or doing a broader range of exercises that target different body parts, is critical. It permits you to retain your fitness while your injured body part heals. It could also help you avoid additional injuries.
If you injured your knee while biking, consider adding a low-impact sport like swimming to your program. If you slid and damaged your wrist while trying to hit a match-point shot in tennis, hiking or another lower-body activity will help you stay active while your injury recovers.
However, you’ll want to consult with a doctor first to ensure your new activity won’t impact your recovery.
Don’t Worry, You Will Make Your Comeback
It’s not a guarantee that you’ll have to give up all of your fitness gains if you get hurt. While you recover, you can do modified workouts or work with a personal trainer to create an alternate fitness plan. It’s also critical that you complete the exercises recommended by your physical therapist to help you recover from your injury.
However, keep in mind that you may require a large amount of rest to heal correctly, so consult your doctor about the ideal balance of rest and exercise for you.
