Rehab Doesn’t Have to Feel like Rehab!
The rehabilitation process following an injury can be a confusing and mentally challenging time. As an AFL player and sporty kid, to say I’ve had a few injuries is an understatement. From breaking my femur at 17 years old, to more recently tearing my Quadricep playing AFL. Having been through the rehab process personally and professionally as an Exercise Physiologist with many clients, this is what I’ve learnt:
Rehab doesn’t have to feel like rehab!
Yes, rehabilitating the injured site is the priority, but that doesn’t mean we have to put all our other goals on pause for the weeks/months it takes to fully recover from an injury. There are many ways to work around injuries so that pain isn’t exacerbated, whilst also continuing to develop strength in other areas of the body, develop overall fitness, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
‘We don’t have to put all our other fitness goals on pause, whilst recovering from an injury’.
For example, someone presenting for rehabilitation with a Quadricep injury (after being diagnosed) can complete their rehab for the injured leg whilst also developing upper body strength and developing fitness on a stationary bike or with a seated ski, pain allowing. At the end of the rehab process this person will not only have fully recovered from their injury, but also developed, or at least maintained, their overall health and fitness.
Injuries can be a mentally challenging time, so continuing to exercise and work towards your other goals should be a priority. This is how we, as Exercise Physiologists, are able to make rehab not feel like rehab, by considering you as a whole and all your needs, rather than just ‘injured’.
As an Exercise Physiologist, we are able to expertly guide you back to full activity after an injury whilst also helping you to continue to work towards your other goals and maintain/improve your overall health. For more information on how we can help, contact us on 1300 964 002.