Tips for Staying Active When You're Recovering From an Injury
How can you stay in shape while you’re recovering from an injury? Follow these expert tips to maintain your activity levels while you’re healing.
Our Favorite Tips for Returning to Play Safely
When a sports injury knocks you down, you want to get right back in the game. However, putting too much pressure on an injured and still-healing part of your body often causes lasting physical damage. You can even end your career by returning too early or taking the wrong approach.
Dr. Michael Blackwell and the sports medicine experts at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine advise their patients on safely returning to play. We provide hand and wrist care, foot and ankle care, and other types of sports medicine treatment from our four locations in Tomball, Kingwood, and Conroe, Texas.
Our team’s favorite tips for returning to play after a sports injury focus on gradually increasing activity, protecting your body as it heals, and listening to your body as it recovers. This advice can help you return to your sport stronger than ever.
1. Take it slowly as you return to play
Athletes need a lot of drive to push for success. When you experience a sports injury, that same drive may tempt you to rush your recovery. To heal safely, however, you need to channel your drive into fully recovering and resist the urge to push your limits.
Slow but steady wins this race. Start with low-impact activities and work your way up to full workouts. Put your determination toward your post-treatment physical therapy plan, and listen to Dr. Blackwell on how long you need to wait before raising your activity levels.
2. Take extra care with the injured part of your body
Whether you’ve injured a foot, ankle, or leg, or suffered from a shoulder, wrist, or hand injury, your body needs support and freedom from harmful pressure during the healing process. Your recovery plan may involve special instructions for protecting the injured area of your body.
A lower-body injury might call for crutches, an immobilizing boot, or splinting and taping. An upper-body injury might mean you need a sling or brace to redistribute pressure. Often, you can’t return until these supportive measures are no longer needed. However, taping or bracing may also help keep you safe as you restart your training.
Reinjury often heightens the risk of further injuries. For example, you need to avoid reinjury after an ankle sprain, shoulder dislocation, bone fracture, or Achilles tendon tear. It’s worth taking extra care with your injured body part until you’re fully healed.
3. Listen to feedback from your body
Your plan is one thing; the reality of returning to your sport is another. Even if you expect to engage in more intense activity, pay attention to your body and respond to the signals of pain, fatigue, weakness, or dizziness. Be prepared to adjust your activity levels based on the feedback you receive from your body.
With expert sports injury treatment and excellent post-injury support, Dr. Blackwell and the team at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine ensure that our patients recover as well as possible. We work with you on your athletic goals, assisting you in returning to your sport with safety and confidence.
For sports medicine support and sports injury care, contact us online or over the phone now and schedule your appointment.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis
Arthritis causes joint pain and stiffness. Did you know there are more than 100 different types of arthritis? Learn about the most common types, and what you can do to relieve its symptoms and slow its progression.
Talk to Your Young Athlete About These Sports Safety Tips
What do young athletes need to do to stay safe during practices and competitions? Explore these essential tips for preventing sports injuries and overuse issues.
Stretches Every Pitcher Should Do to Protect Their Shoulder
Baseball players, and pitchers in particular, exert tremendous stress on their shoulders. To avoid sports injuries, practice these shoulder-strengthening stretches regularly.
Hip-Friendly Habits You Should Embrace Today
Your hips can wear out over time, causing pain and mobility problems. What should you do now to prevent future hip issues? Learn more about hip-friendly habits you can start today.
Want to Avoid Shoulder Replacement? Start Doing This Now
While it’s good to have the option for surgical shoulder replacement, you want to keep your natural shoulder joints healthy so it’s a decision you never need to make. Discover these helpful shoulder care tips and tricks.