|
 Most often, athletes react to injuries with wide range of emotions including denial, anger, and even depression. An injury often seems unfair to anyone who has been physically active and otherwise healthy. Although your feelings are real, it’s important to move beyond the negative and find more positive strategies to cope with this setback. In many cases dealing gracefully with an injury will make you a more focused, flexible, and resilient athlete. Here are some suggestions for coping with an injury.
Learn About Your Injury
Learn as much as possible about the cause, treatment and prevention of your injury. Not fully understanding an injury can cause fear or anxiety. Learn how to talk to your doctor. Ask the following questions of your doctor, trainer, coach or therapist until you know exactly what you can do to heal quickly and fully.
What is my diagnosis (what type of injury do I have)?
How long will recovery take?
What is the purpose of the treatments I am receiving?
What should I expect during rehab?
What alternative workouts can I safely do?
What are the warning signs that I am getting worse?
By understanding the injury and knowing what to expect during the rehabilitation process, you will feel less anxiety and a greater sense of control.
Monitor Your Attitude
To heal quickly you need to be committed to overcoming your injury by showing up for your treatments, working hard, and listening and doing what your doctor and/or athletic trainer tells you to do. You also need to monitor what you are thinking and saying to yourself regarding the injury and the rehab process.Your self-talk is important. Are your thoughts negative and self-defeating? To get the most out of your daily rehab, you need to work hard and maintain a positive attitude. Remain focused on what you need to do.
Get Support
A common response after an injury is to isolate yourself from teammates, coaches, and friends. It is important to maintain contact with others as you recover from your injury. Your teammates, friends and coach can listen when you need to vent some anger, or can offer advice or encouragement during the rehab process. Just knowing you don't have to face the injury alone can also be a tremendous comfort. So, go to practice; remain around the locker room and the weight room. Be visible by being an active member of the group.
Set Goals
Just because you are injured doesn't mean you stop planning or setting goals. Rather than viewing the injury as a crisis, make it another training challenge. You goals will now focus on recovery rather than performance. This will help keep you motivated. By monitoring your goals you will also be able to notice small improvements in the rehab of your injury. You will feel more confident that you are getting better and improving.
Remember to work closely with your therapist or doctor. They can help you set realistic goals that are in line with each stage of your rehab. Most athletes have a tendency to try to speed-up the recovery by doing too much too soon. It is important to accept that you are injured and know your limits.
Call us today at 985.652.9515 for any of your Sports Injury questions, or to schedule an appointment. |
