Young athletes who spend their time participating in different sports are always at risk of injury on the court, field, or in the rink. When injuries occur, it can take a significant amount of time to heal and recover. If you want to know the best way to recover from an injury and regain your mobility as a young athlete, there are a few simple tips to abide by.
Find a Support System
Although it can be physically challenging to recover from a sports-related injury, the mental part of the process can also be difficult to get through. You’ll need to find a support system of individuals who can assist in helping you cope and staying positive. Consider talking to other athletes who have gone through a similar experience to help you manage the disappointment, as well as family members or coaches.
Rest
Resting is essential to ensure that your body can heal. Staying physically active without taking a break can cause the body to take longer to recover, and can even result in a permanent injury that may never fully heal. Avoid lifting heavy items or performing strenuous movements every day, though light physical rehabilitation is typically recommended.
Prevent the Injury
An important part of recovering from an injury is preventing it from occurring again in the future. You may need to wear specific types of protective gear to shield yourself while playing the sport, or change the way that you perform certain motions in the game. For example, a protective knee brace following an ACL or MCL injury is almost always required following recovery.
Participate in Physical Therapy
As mentioned, attending all of your physical therapy appointments is integral to fully recovering and getting back on your feet. A physical therapist can help you regain strength and range of motion, while also teaching you certain exercises to do yourself at home. Specific activities may need to be performed on a daily basis to ensure that the strength in the affected area is maintained. Learning how to balance again will also be a technique performed during these appointments.
Create Athletic Goals
Part of the emotional recovery process of healing from an injury is to create new athletic goals that allow you to look towards the future instead of dwelling on the past. These goals will help you to stay motivated and remain positive rather than sulking in disappointment.
