If you’re injured and keen to make a complete recovery after an injury, adhering to a proper rehabilitation framework and schedule is critical.
Without effective treatment which follows a proven series of processes and exercises your injury and recovery process can take a lot longer.
Although the methods for injury rehabilitation will vary according to each case, the general framework for recovery is relatively consistent and based on our professional experience and latest research findings. In order to get you on the track to the best recovery possible, we’ve laid out the recommended steps to a successful rehabilitation.
1. Rest and Protect the Injury
The first stage of recovery is all about minimising further damage and letting the body begin the healing process. The body’s first reaction to injury is inflammation and pain. The better you can regulate inflammation, control pain, and protect the injured body part to avoid any further damage, we have begun the recovery process.
This phase will likely include appropriate rest and may include using ice or cold packs, with some sort of protective cast, sling or tape to safeguard the injury. Pain management with analgesic medication and/or anti-inflammatories may also be considered.
2. Recover Your Motion
Following injury or surgery, factors such as swelling and pain can make it difficult to move the injured body part like you used to.
Careful soft tissue and joint mobilisation training as prescribed by your physiotherapist is an important part of your rehabilitation to recover early stage range of motion. Stretching too far or start activity too early, can slow or even reverse the healing process. Using specific flexibility training suited to your injury, can help get your range of motion back, and avoid the lasting effect that decreased range of motion can have on your body’s function.
3. Recover Your Strength
Most people are shocked to discover how their injury and the ensuing recovery period can result in muscle weakness and a loss of endurance. Objective measures of muscle weakness and wasting are commonly noted after injury and surgery within 4-6 weeks. Minimising muscle loss and strength deficits are important rehabilitation goals set in your physiotherapy programme.
When sports injuries prevent participation in training and game time for an extended period of time, maintaining cardiovascular endurance is important. Exercises like stationary cycling, pool exercises or gentle exercise may be recommended.
The keys to maximising recovery are performing exercises that minimise aggravation, maintaining good form and proper technique, and strengthening local, regional and central muscles groups.
4. Recover Your Function
The last step in rehabilitation is recovering sport-specific function and return to play. This phase of injury rehabilitation can include restoring coordination and balance, improving speed, agility, and sport-specific skills progressing from simple to complex.
The Right Treatment for You
Now that you are more familiar with the framework of a proper recovery process, you’ll need to know exactly how to apply it to your injury. This is where accurate diagnosis and implementing a proper treatment plan comes in.
The best treatment plans are custom suited to each client. A careful diagnosis and treatment plan should also take into account your lifestyle, habits and any factors that might contribute to your injury or impact your activity moving forward.
For a proper diagnosis and complete treatment plan, you’re best to turn to physiotherapists, who are the rehabilitation experts.Relying solely on pictures or descriptions of exercises can be misleading. Physiotherapists are professionals in sports injuries and orthopedic rehabilitation and are specifically trained to get you moving again and maximising performance levels after injury.
If you’re looking for a physiotherapist in Perth, we hope you’ll consider us at Morley Physio.
Our Morley practice serves the entire Perth area, including Bedford and all surrounding suburbs. Contact us below, and our friendly staff will be happy to help you – even if it’s just with advice.
Morley Physiotherapy Centre Website
Phone: 9375 3900
Email: admin@morleyphysio.com.au