Why We Avoid Telling You to Stop!
Have you ever hesitated or procrastinated getting proper care for an injury because you are worried that the person will tell you to stop doing your sport? You are not alone!Rehabilitating from an injury can be a frustrating and challenging process, especially for athletes who are passionate about their sport. At the Movement Co. rehabbing your injury involves a delicate balance between allowing the body to heal and keeping you doing things to stay active and involved in your sport. While it may seem counterintuitive, continuing to engage in your sport, within the limits of your injury, can actually be beneficial for both your physical and mental recovery. Here's why.
Maintaining Mental Resilience:
Participating in your sport, even in modified ways, can help preserve your mental resilience. The psychological impact of an injury can be as significant as the physical, and staying connected to your sport can prevent feelings of isolation and loss of identity.
Preventing Muscle Atrophy:
Immobilization or complete cessation of activity can lead to muscle atrophy and loss of strength, which can prolong the recovery process. By engaging in activities that don't exacerbate your injury, you can maintain muscle mass and strength in surrounding areas, facilitating faster rehabilitation. Our job is to find the balance between aggravating or delaying your recovery due to being active and keeping you doing what you love at least to some degree.
Retaining Skill and Technique:
Skills and techniques in sports often require constant practice and refinement. Taking a complete break from your sport can lead to a loss of proficiency and muscle memory. By continuing to participate, even in limited capacities, you can retain these skills and potentially shorten the reintegration period post-recovery. It can also be an excellent time to focus on skills that require less physical effort but are more challenging mentally or that you may have avoided working on in the past.
Enhancing Cardiovascular Fitness:
Depending on the nature of your injury, there may be forms of cardiovascular exercise that you can safely engage in, think cycling or swimming if you are a runner.. A maintained cardiovascular base can expedite the return to full training once cleared by our team.
Boosting Confidence and Motivation:
Progress in rehabilitation can sometimes feel slow and discouraging. By staying involved in your sport, you can celebrate small victories and milestones along the way, boosting your confidence and motivation to continue the recovery journey.
While it's essential to prioritize your health and follow the guidance of medical professionals during the rehabilitation process, completely stepping away from your sport is usually not the best option. At the Movement Co. we will find ways to keep you involved within the limits of your injury, you can not only expedite your physical recovery but also maintain your mental well-being and readiness for a successful return to full activity. Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, is a step closer to getting back to what you love, pain free!