Navigating Injury Rehabilitation: Avoid This Common Mistake

One mistake many individuals make during their recovery process is attempting to heal in the same environment where the injury occurred. This can interfere with the healing process and prolong recovery time.

It's crucial to recognize that continuing the same activities that initially caused the pain can limit the healing of an injury. This doesn't necessarily mean completely stopping the activity; rather, it involves making adjustments to minimize the impact on the injury.

For instance, I recently experienced a wrist injury while playing basketball. Instead of entirely stepping away from the game, I implemented two key adjustments to alleviate strain on my wrist. First, I used taping to limit wrist extension, a movement that typically triggered pain. Additionally, I modified my playing time, opting for shorter 5-minute rotations to provide my wrist with essential breaks.

Comparing this to caring for a cut, consistently engaging in activities aggravating the injury is like continuously picking at a scab. Just as you'd use a bandage to create an optimal environment for healing, it's essential to allow your injury to recover by implementing different recovery techniques

In summary, adjusting your approach to activities that caused the initial injury is pivotal to the recovery journey. You can optimize the recovery process by making thoughtful modifications and allowing the injury the time and conditions it needs to heal. Remember, creating an environment for healing is key to a faster and more effective recovery.

• Benson A. PT,CSCS