Injuries happen all the time. Whether you twist an ankle during a sporting event or just tweak your knee walking down the stairs, an injury can temporarily take you out of the game and make life inconvenient for you.
For some people, the healing process is a no-brainer. You do what you have to in order to return to normal as quickly as possible. For others, healing is a challenge because it requires hard work and dedication to get back on your feet. If you fall into the latter category, this helpful article is for you. Here is a lazy person’s guide to healing from an injury:
1. Stick to Your Prescribed Physical Therapy Plan
Let’s face it. Some things you simply can’t skimp on and your physical therapy is one of them. If your injury is severe enough, not doing the prescribed therapy can leave you permanently disabled. The good news is, you really don’t have to even leave your house to get your therapy if you don’t want to. There’s a thing called mobile physiotherapy, and it comes to you!
So, when your doctor tells you to attend physical therapy sessions multiple times a week, be sure to ask about the availability of mobile physiotherapy in your area.
2. Use the “R.I.C.E.” Method
This step is easy since it really only requires you to sit in your chair. R.I.C.E. stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Resting the injured body part helps prevent further injury while icing it and applying compression helps keep swelling to a minimum. Lastly, keeping it elevated will also reduce swelling, and thus, reduce pain.
3. Get Fast Treatment
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to seek medical treatment. You should start by seeing your primary care physician if it isn’t an emergency, but if it is, you should head straight to the emergency room and then follow up with your regular doctor at his or her earliest convenience. Getting professional treatment can help you heal faster and may prevent more serious injury in the future.
4. Figure Out Why the Injury Happened in the First Place
The best way to prevent the injury from happening again is to understand why it happened in the first place. The cause could be something as simple as not stepping firmly or twisting at a weird angle, but when you’re aware of why it happened, you can do your best to not do the same thing again next time.
5. Ease Back into Normality Slowly
As pumped as you probably are to return to normal, it’s important you take your time. Ease back into your normal routine slowly and follow your doctor’s orders. You may have some restrictions at first, so heed them accordingly to avoid reinjuring the area. If your doctor says you need a specific amount of time off work to heal, take it.
Whether you’re a winning athlete, an avid fitness enthusiast, or a couch potato, it’s important to remember that injuries happen when you least expect them. Regardless of your activity level, an injury can leave you sidelined from your responsibilities and the things you enjoy most. The ultimate goal is to get back in the game, so you need to follow your doctor’s recommendations.
If you’re a lazy type of person who’s sustained such an injury, be sure you follow the simple five-step guide above to heal properly.