Getting Back On Track After A Sporting Injury

Photo by JLC IMAGERY on Unsplash

Getting injured while doing a sport that you love can be a significant setback. Recovery times may be quite long, and during that time, your general fitness levels will suffer. 

But it’s not just your physical health that can be harmed following on from a sporting injury. There is a risk that your mental health may also be affected. 

Taking care of yourself following a sporting accident is essential. It can be a challenge to find the motivation to do this. However, with the right support and attitude, in many cases, it may be possible to recover and return to the sport that you love. 

Here’s how you can get back on track after a sporting injury. 

Be Patient 

It can take time to heal from an injury. Your body will need time to recover. If you try and return to the sport that you love too soon, then you may undo any of the work your body has done in healing itself so far. 

In addition to this, you might make your original injury even worse. 

Be patient and only return to physical exercise when your doctor or physiotherapist tells you that it is safe to do so.

Engage With Physiotherapy 

Your physiotherapist will provide you with lots of activities that are designed to help with rebuilding strength around your original injury. If you have had a prolonged period of inactivity, many of these exercises will also help the rest of your body. 

You may have access to equipment such as an anti-gravity treadmill, although many of your exercises will be quite simple things that can be done in your own time. 

The exercises that you are given may seem a lot more simple than you might be used to and you may find this frustrating. This might make you less inclined to do them. It is important that you do them though, and the more you engage with your physiotherapy, the earlier you might be able to return to playing sport again. 

Find Alternative Activities 

You might not be able to do certain sporting activities because of the risk of upsetting your injury again; however, there may be alternatives that you can do. 

Activities such as swimming are low impact and will allow you to improve your general fitness levels quite quickly. 

Speak with your physiotherapist and see whether there is anything that you can be doing as an alternative. 

Take Care Of Yourself

Recovering from a sporting injury can be quite stressful. During this time, it is essential that you take good care of yourself. 

This means eating a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Avoid comfort, eating and snacking. 

Make sure that you’re getting plenty of sleep each night and do your best to stick to a routine.

Depression is not uncommon following an injury, particularly if it has had a major effect on your life. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any low mood as a result of the injury.