Waiting to finally make a recovery after an injury can be frustrating. Regardless of your type of injury, or whether it was caused by a car accident or sports-related injury, healing takes time. You will need a patient approach if you hope to make it back on your feet. Because if you rush into it too quickly, you won’t just find it slow to heal again, but you could injure yourself further. Here are some essential tips you’ll want to know to heal effectively.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
When you’re injured, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. A doctor will be able to make an assessment of the injuries you’ve sustained, and give you a plan of action for a smooth recovery.
They may prescribe medication, or even recommend surgery. Whatever treatment plan your doctor gives you, it’s critical that you follow it. Ignoring your doctor is one of the most foolish things you can do after an injury.
Besides following their advice, also attend any follow up appointments that are necessary for your recovery. If you have any concerns, make sure that you communicate them with your doctor as your symptoms and injuries may have changed.
Rest
Rest is probably the most important aspect of healing after an injury. Your body needs time to recover from they damage it sustained. Rest will help avoid putting pressure on the injured area, and avoid further pain.
Depending on how severe your injury is, your doctor may recommend wearing a brace or even a cast. Whatever you do, make sure that you avoid any kind of movement or activity that brings pain. When you feel pain, this is your body telling you to stop that movement and rest!
Move Gently
Although resting is critical, you shouldn’t stay completely stationary. Moving the affected areas slowly is an important chapter of your recovery process. Once your doctor says it’s okay, you want to start incorporating gentle movement exercises into your daily routines.
This won’t just promote better circulation to the affected area, but it will also maintain your flexibility and strength. You may even want to consider physical therapy, depending on what kind of injury it is. A therapist will be able to guide you through the best exercises that are specifically tailored to your injury. Over time, gradually increase the intensity, and you’ll notice that you feel better as a result. Just make sure you don’t rush anything. Pushing yourself too hard too soon almost always leads to more problems.
Eat Well
When you can’t move the same way that you normally can, you tend to get bored and perhaps snack a little more than you should. Unfortunately, due to the lack of movement, this can lead to unnecessary weight gain. Make sure that you’re following a balanced diet that won’t just avoid gaining weight, but also supports healing and reducing inflammation.
