There are few things as discouraging as an injury that derails your fitness routine. However, an injury does not have to signal an end to your exercise program. By engaging in the right types of activity, you can boost your efforts to get back to the grind while also helping to reduce the risk of further injury. Here are three things to do when an injury disrupts your fitness routine.
It is easy to get discouraged and give up after suffering an injury. However, the right recovery exercises can actually put you on the fast track to getting better faster. The key is picking the best exercises to aid in recovery without further aggravating the injury. If an injury such as whiplash limits your range of motion, you can do exercises that help restore your mobility. This is also a great time to try a new activity that exercises new muscles. Not only will you keep your body moving, but you also might discover a new passion.
An injury will inevitably lead to some slowing down. Because of this, it is important to put a greater emphasis on your diet so that you do not put on unwanted weight while recovering from the injury. The right nutrients will also help to speed up your recovery efforts. Eating a variety of protein-rich foods will help your body to build soft tissue stores while also controlling inflammation. Foods that are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C will help to regulate inflammation and to reduce swelling.
While many avid athletes see consulting the advice of a physical therapist as a sign of defeat, doing so can provide significant benefits in your recovery efforts. A physical therapist has the knowledge and the tools to be able to help you gain back a crucial range of motion. This professional can also assist you in maximizing your athletic performance once you get back on your feet. For example, if you have suffered a broken foot, a physical therapist can prescribe exercises that will strengthen the surrounding muscles so that you return stronger than ever.
It is understandable to want to wallow on the couch when injury strikes. However, doing this can stunt your recovery. Instead, once you are cleared for activity, you should power through and engage in the types of activities and behaviors that will get you back moving at optimal levels of performance.
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