With the recent hobble-along injuries of the Fit Communications team, we have been under the watchful eye of how to deal with an injury. This blog will tell you a few things we have learned over the last few months whilst dealing with a patellar knee injury and a strained hip.
First, listen to your body. Prevention is so important. If your workout causes you a sudden pain, stop doing what you are doing. There is no sense in ‘pushing through’ to finish your set if it might mean hurting yourself more. So step away from the weights!
Second, if you recognize that indeed you have injured yourself – not just sore from the gym, it is key to visit a specialist as soon as you can. With all due respect to your family physician, it is really imperative to speak with a sports doctor. In Winnipeg, there are various options for you including Pan Am Sports Medicine Centre and the Sport For Life Centre. Once you have been properly diagnosed, you can start your rehabilitation process.
Your rehabilitation is as good as you make it. Resting your injury can be vital to avoid a relapse. Your doctor can best suggest preventative measures as well what type of rehabilitation you should undergo. Athletic therapy, physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care are all options that your doctor may suggest. There are tons of dedicated professionals in each of these areas, and below gives you a better idea of what each entails:
- Athletic Therapy – the prevention, immediate care and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries by a Certified Athletic Therapist. It involves the assessment of physical function, the treatment of dysfunction caused by pain and/or injury in order to develop, maintain and maximize independence and prevent dysfunction.
- Physiotherapy – anchored in movement sciences and aims to enhance or restore function of multiple body systems.
- Massage Therapy – Massage therapy is a comprehensive intervention involving a range of techniques to manipulate the soft tissues and joints of the body. The purpose of massage therapy is to prevent, develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function or relieve pain.
- Acupuncture – the stimulation of specific acupoints along the skin of the body involving various methods such as the application of heat, pressure, or laser or penetration of thin needles. It is a form of complementary and alternative medicine. It is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
- Chiropractic Care – a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Lastly, be sure to do the exercises that you are given each and every day. If you want to rebuild your strength, you have to do what the doctor says! It just like practice for sports – you can’t expect to get any better if you just show up for games.