Facing the Future After an Injury

By Donna Stark

You've put in the time and have done all the work. Now, you are more than eager to get back to doing what you love, but hold on! Getting back to your normal routine should still be taken one step at a time and may require a little more time and patience on your end. After all, you don't want to reinjure yourself and start the healing process all over again, do you? So, slow down and consider the following suggestions before jumping back into the swing of things.

Start Slow

It's important to remember that your body is not the same as it was before the injury or still on the cusp of getting back to its pre-injured self, so it may not have the same abilities as it once did. And that may mean you will need to redefine your fitness and performance goals for the time being. You will want to be sure to head back into your workouts slowly and to not force your body to exercise at the same level of intensity you were at when you got injured. It may also be beneficial to try new things until you can build up your strength, cardio, and balance.

Head in a New Direction

As difficult as it will be, if your injury was significant enough to limit what you can do now, it may be time to explore other options. Simply acknowledging your new limits isn't enough to move on from your injury. You also need to respect them because as soon as you do, the world will open more opportunities for you to remain active and independent. So, for example, maybe you can't run 15 miles every day anymore, but do you think you could ride for 30 miles on your bike? Limitations don't necessarily eliminate your ability to keep your body moving!

Find Your Support

The journey you take to reestablish yourself in an unfamiliar world can be filled with lots of emotion and loads of stress, so don't do it alone! Find your people. Find the ones who will offer daily encouragement and support, who will understand and respect your new limitations, and who will go out of their way to accommodate your physical abilities. In addition to making your transition easier, this support system of yours will also make your days brighter and happier.

What Is Normal?

Let's not focus on the word "normal" anymore, because what exactly is it anyway? Instead, let's focus on our own unique challenges and circumstances in life because that is what will get us through our days. Keep healing and good luck with whatever you face in the future!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Newtown Square, Pa.