Dealing with Injuries
May 3, 2008 9:01 AM | Exercise | Comments (0)
 | Injuries are very real obstacles for fitness enthusiasts and athletes. Most of the time, we can prevent them by warming up before exercise, executing proper form during our workouts, and cooling down afterwards. But try as we might to avoid them, injuries sometimes do occur. You may remember learning about the acronym RICE. This is the general rule of thumb for initial treatment of injuries. It stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Too often, people implement the RICE technique, and do nothing further. A doctor needs to be consulted in order to determine the extent of the injury. |
He or she may refer you to a physical therapist or trainer. The purpose of this is to maintain strength, not increase it, so going at your usual activity 100% should be avoided during recovery. On the other hand, complete inactivity is not recommended, as muscles atrophy without use, and you’ll inadvertently weaken the injury area. Too much or too little work will impair your recovery.
Once you do begin exercising again, listen to your body. It may be normal to feel slight discomfort, but if you feel pain, stop what you are doing so you don’t re-injure yourself. Make sure you engage in an activity that does not worsen your injury.
As we age, we are more prone to injury, so we must take care to exercise to keep our muscles and bones strong. Exercise caution when bending and lifting. Taking care when we are younger will make life easier in the future.
Copyright © 2009 by A.M. Birmingham, ISSA CFT
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