Exercising After Injury

Many people wonder whether it is safe to return to or begin exercising after suffering an injury. While it can be a daunting task, exercise is generally a great way to improve your overall health and to heal your injured muscles or joints.

Exercise increases the flow of blood and oxygen through the body and the working muscles, promoting faster healing. Also, utilizing exercise for therapeutic purposes is the basis for many interventions used in physical therapy.

When you first become physically active after an injury, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:

• Take it slow and pace yourself. Don't try to pick up where you left off physically before you were injured.
  
• Warm up for 5 minutes prior to stretching to ensure you maximize your muscles ability to stretch and work.
• Stretch, stretch, stretch before you being working out.
• Avoid compensating for your injury. Your body naturally protects its weak areas, which can do harm to another body part - so be aware of how your body is moving.
  
• Listen to your body and cease any activities that cause pain.
• Cool down for 5 minutes at the end of any exercise to lower your heart rate and reduce lactic acid in your muscles.

And remember, every person and affliction is different. So if necessary schedule an appointment with your physician and consider a consultation with Empire Health & Wellness Center before you restart any exercise regimen.

Until next time,

Brendan