Rehabilitation can be a very stressful time for an
athlete. Nothing is worse than not being able to participate in the sport you
love. I see it every season with my rugby players, and it never gets any
easier. But, there are ways you can make the most of your rehabilitation and
stay connected to your team mates.
Volunteer. This is easier said than done, however, if you
volunteer to help the coaching staff or help to organise equipment it can keep
you motivated and reduce the feelings of isolation. Often injured team mates
stop showing up at training at it can lead to a lack of motivation and desire
to keep pushing during the rehabilitation process. Be sure to attend team
events and support on the side lines, staying motivated to continue is a key to
the rehabilitations success.
Even if you are not a member of a club or a team the above
can apply to any sport. Triathlete and running events are often looking for
volunteers to help at drinks stations or to give verbal and moral support to
those participating.
Don’t push yourself into pain. Basically, listen to your
sports therapist or sports physio and don’t try to force yourself into doing
too much. When we prescribe exercises, it is based upon your stage of healing.
If you try and push yourself into pain it can often make things worse,
especially in the early stages of healing. As a sports therapist, I must ensure
the exercises are safe for the client, so moving ahead to soon could cause
further injury.
Communicate. Both with your coach, team mates and sports
therapist. I am always available for my clients if they have any questions. It
is important, for me, to ensure if they’re not sure about something they can
always ask. This also applies after rehabilitation is completed. If you’re my
client I am available to help answer questions and offer advice. Communication also
applies to your coaches, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask them for advice and they
should be happy to give it. As a sports therapist, I am in contact with our coach
with every injury and advise him of time lines and progress.
Adherence. This is the golden goose. If you don’t adhere to
the exercises as prescribed the whole thing falls apart. When you get assessed
at my clinic I include a two-week rehab program to get you started, it is important
that the exercises and guidelines are followed to ensure safe progress is made.
I also offer progressions and regressions to ensure if my client is having
trouble, or find the exercises too easy, they can continue their rehabilitation
without delay.
If you have any questions about rehabilitation or sports
injuries please feel free to email me at sara@prestigesportinjury.co.uk
