Nobody likes to be laid low by an injury. It’s natural that you should want to get right back into things. However, recovery is an important process that can take some time. You can help speed up your recovery by carefully taking the following steps to reduce pain and promote healing.
Natural Pain Relievers
For a variety of reasons, many of us like to avoid using over the counter or prescription medication. While effective, these medications can also come with some serious side effects. Fortunately, there exist several natural pain relievers that you can use instead. According to Everyday Health, capsaicin, ginger, feverfew, turmeric, and devil’s claw are just a few of the herbs that can help with pain relief. However, it is important to remember that these herbs require caution as well. The production and distribution of these herbs is not as well regulated as that of medication. Nor are the effects of these herbs as well studied. Consult with a medical professional before using them.
Massages
Everybody knows that massages feel great and are incredibly relaxing. However, fewer people know about the importance that a massage has in the recovery process. The muscles soreness that often accompanies and injury is usually caused by a build-up of lactic acid. In some cases, according to DrivenFit, a massage can help reduce this build-up. In general, a massage will help more blood and oxygen to reach your muscles. Since blood carries nutrients throughout your body and oxygen is essential for energy production, this can greatly increase the rate of healing.
Physical Therapy
Many individuals are concerned about the cost of visiting a physical therapist. Fortunately, according to Bruscato Law, workers’ compensation insurance can usually pay for your physical therapy treatment. Seeing a physical therapist can be one of the most important steps on the road to recovery. A physical therapist can help you develop an exercise and treatment plan that will reduce pain and accelerate recovery. They can also help you to strengthen the muscles in your body to prevent a re-injury.
Stretching
One of your body’s natural reactions to injury is to tighten the muscles. The body often does this in an attempt to prevent you from further injuring yourself. Unfortunately, this can also lead to a loss of range of motion and increased pain. Light stretching is an important part of the recovery process. As you heal, light stretching will help loosen up your muscles and restore your range of motion. Neglecting to stretch can make the loss or motion much more difficult to recover in the future. Make sure that you do not force any of the stretches as this can result in the muscles tightening even further.
Heat and Cold
Alternating treatments of hot pads and cold packs can really help your muscles to loosen up. According to the Southern California Orthopedic Institute, cold packs can help reduce swelling and minimize bruising. Cold treatments are generally most effective soon after an injury occurs. You can easily make your own cold pack by putting some ice in a bag and wrapping the bag in a towel. Avoid putting ice directly on the skin as this can be damaging. Heat can be used afterwards for more long-term ailments. Heat treatments can increase blood flow to an area of your body which will promote healing. Avoid using heat if there is any amount of bruising. You can make your own heating pad by sewing rice into a cloth pouch. This can easily be heated in the microwave.
Sleep
Perhaps the greatest healer besides time is sleep. Your body is going to need a lot of sleep and rest in order to repair itself. Sleeping allows your body to focus its energy on breaking down and repairing damaged tissue. In fact, a day or two spent lying down can dramatically increase the speed of your recovery. Even if you don’t feel like you need to lie down, you should do so as much as possible. If you are unable to sleep, at least lie in bed. You can use movies, books, video games, drawing, or other non-active forms of entertainment to keep your mind occupied.
In all your attempts to recover, it is important that you remain patient with yourself, your body, your physicians, and your friends and family. Everyone is doing the best they can to help you on the road to recovery. Time will be required before you start to see results. But rest assured that you will be able to improve your condition.
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