by Tiffanie Grady-Gillespie, Certified Physical Trainer, Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, WickedFiTT
This article was inspired by actual events. Well, my actual events. A recent UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) accident left me with multiple broken bones, some spinal fractures, horrible burns, tons of pain, and the fear of never feeling like my “old” self again.
I thought this would be a great time to address how to safely get back on track after an injury. Of course every injury is different, and the severity of the condition can affect recovery time.
The absolute first thing is get the OK from your doctor/physical therapist. I always tell my students to pay attention to good pain and bad pain. Pushing yourself too soon could make your recovery longer or make your injury worse, so be sure you get the green light from the experts.
Start slow and listen to your body.
A little discomfort is OK. A lot is not. Remember to take the time to rest. When you go through a traumatic incident, a lot of times your nervous system and your body overall need more time to recover than it once did.
So, make sure you are giving yourself ample recovery time between exercise sessions.
Believe me, this one has to be the toughest and most important — stay positive.
Most injuries are temporary. It’s just going to take some time to regain the speed and strength you had.
Taking the proper steps to assure the best care possible can give you a better chance to fully heal, and it can shorten the overall healing time.
