The Struggles That Come With Recovery
Introduction:
You realize you’re injured. You want to recover as quickly as possible and get back to training, but your mind is wrestling with the fact that time will need to be given to the recovery process. You start to spiral. This is the struggle that every athlete goes through after an injury.
What is Recovery?
Recovery is the process of restoration to bring an athlete back to their original level of performance, physically and mentally. It requires the utilization of multiple techniques and is endured by all athletes. Recovery can increase the range of motion, reduce soreness, promote healing, and reduce the risk of future injuries. What an athlete should do with their recovery plan varies depending on the type of injury sustained, but here are some techniques that apply to most injuries.
Sleep and Rest
Nutrition
Massages
Icing and Heating
Stretching
Not all recovery methods are solely physical; athletes also need to keep their mental health and stability in check to return to their peak. These techniques consist of:
Giving yourself time
Accepting and acknowledging your injury
Set goals
Stay optimistic
Focus on the present rather than the future
Maintaining mental stability throughout the recovery phase can accelerate the healing process and contribute to an athlete's optimistic outlook on returning to physical activity. However, implementing these recovery techniques is often more challenging in practice. Let's explore the real-life challenges people face in the healing process.
Reasons Why People Struggle With Recovery:
Several studies show that athletes who have been injured and have high levels of anxiety, stress, and most importantly fear, are less likely to fully recover. In one study with ACL reconstruction patients, those with lower levels of fear were more likely to recover faster while the patients with higher levels of fear were thirteen times more likely to suffer a second ACL tear in the following two years after returning to sports. Depression is also a factor as to why athletes suffer more than they recover. Depression has been associated with pessimistic patient-related outcomes, increased rates of post-surgical complications, and heightened levels of pain. Most athletes begin to fear failure and start to doubt themselves after getting injured as they believe they’re losing progress with their sport and will eventually ‘fall off’.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the path to recovery is filled with obstacles that are both physically and mentally demanding. Studies emphasize the importance of athletes prioritizing their mental well-being, particularly during the recovery from injuries. Maintaining a positive mindset and a clear mental state is crucial throughout this journey. Instead of worrying about the future of your athletic career, have confidence in the process and you'll be back in action sooner than you think.
Sources:
Barker, Joanne. “Not Just a Physical Thing: The Psychology of Sports Injuries and Recovery.” Boston Children’s Answers, 12 Oct. 2022, answers.childrenshospital.org/psychology-sports-injury-recovery/#:~:text=Several%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,less%20likely%20to%20fully%20recover.
Hudson, Robbie Wild, et al. “Robbie Wild Hudson.” BOXROX, 25 June 2018, www.boxrox.com/athletes-muscle-recovery/.
Mental Health Tips for Recovering from an Injury, integrisok.com/resources/on-your-health/2021/june/mental-health-tips-for-recovering-from-an-injury. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024.
“Sports Performance Recovery.” Australian Sports Commission, www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/kb/sports-performance-recovery#:~:text=Recovery%20after%20training%20and%20competition,muscle%20soreness%20and%2For%20fatigue. Accessed 2 Jan. 2024.