Movement Helps Recovery
When you hear “Movement helps recovery” does it sound strange? Well it shouldn’t.
When we get injured, we more often than not get told to rest. But is this the best method? Obviously, there are certain types of injuries where rest is essential the best example to rest would be for broken bones. However this advice becomes a safety blanket and is thrown over all types of injuries, and may be detrimental to your recovery. Yes, rest can make you feel better, but there are better ways to improve the recovery process from an injury.
I believe rest isn’t always the best practice and we should encourage movement with injuries, where appropriate. As this helps facilitate the natural healing processes of the body. In saying this, I should stress what I mean by “Movement helps recovery”. What we should really aim towards is “active rest”. With “active rest”, I am encouraging movements and or exercises that you are able to perform without increasing your pain or exacerbating the injury. Maintaining as much movement as possible through the effected area is important. As delaying the start of the rehabilitation process can possibly lead to prolonged pain.
One of the main problems we try to avoid when recovering from an injury, is muscle deactivation and strength loss. This most commonly occurs when the muscles are unused for any length of time. “Reactivating” muscles and rebuilding strength can take longer than you realise. This can take anywhere up to 6 months to get the muscles working correctly, both muscle activation (the muscle to work) and muscle patterning (the right muscles to work in the correct order through movement).
How this Helps:
By maintaining movement, you can help decrease recovery time
Increasing movement helps increase blood flow and natural healing processes within the body
With continued movement whilst injured, you’re starting your rehabilitation sooner, meaning a return to regular activities can be attained sooner.
Less time spent regaining ROM, reactivating muscles, and regaining strength
Less atrophy (decrease in size) of the muscles affected from the injury
Key factors to remember:
Don’t overdo it – too much can be detrimental to your recovery
Modification of exercises and activity is the key. We must perform exercises within your limits, while trying to avoid complete rest.
You should seek professional advice, in regards to injury management and for appropriate rehabilitation strategies.
Contact us here at START Training Brisbane, for more information or to make a booking today.
Written by
William Holland