Bouncing back from an injury is tough for anyone, but even tougher for athletes.  Athletes hold high expectations for themselves; they have goals, they have timelines, they have the will to keep going.  When sidelined with an injury, you’re left with few options: time to let it heal, rehabilitation with therapy or changing your lifestyle.

First, it’s important to understand the function of sports in your life.  For a person who has always been active in organized sports, their body may be able to handle the wear and tear.  But the mental toll may be more difficult to manage. Regular exercise is a stress reliever; endorphins soar through the body with physical activity, therefore increasing mood and burning calories.  Competition offers the brain different opportunities to strategize leading to higher intelligences throughout the body. Overall, maintain a positive attitude and set realistic goals until your status changes.

The physical effects of an injury are varied and unique.  Considerations of age, fitness, prior injuries and medical conditions all factor the long-term effects of an injury.  Immediate diagnosis to better understand what happened, lies at the top of the priority list. Pain is the sign that something in your body’s kinetic chain is not right.  

Luckily, time is always on your side.  From a short stint of rest, ice, compression and elevation, to surgical intervention; adequate time spent healing can have long-term effect on your athletic life.

One option for medical intervention is physical therapy.  According to WebMD.com, physical therapy is a type of treatment you may need when   health problems make it hard to move around and do everyday tasks. It helps you move better and may relieve pain. It also helps improve or restore your physical function and your fitness level.  The goal of physical therapy is to make daily tasks and activities easier. For example, it may help with walking, going up stairs, or getting in and out of bed.

Another option is chiropractic intervention (which can include physical therapy.) Spinal manipulation, combined with a personalized course of action, are designed to keep you healthy and fit.  Dr. Fast, from the Back Pain Clinic Belleville, will take a complete medical history, in conjunction with other necessary physical, neurological and orthopedic exams.  X-rays and other diagnostic images are often used to locate vertebral dysfunction and to rule out disorders like tumors or fractures, which require the attention of other healthcare experts.  As a former competitive water skier, he knows what it’s like to have to perform with pain.

If you suffer from an injury that you never addressed, schedule an appointment with Dr. Fast by calling 618-234-5200 or visit backpainclinicbelleville.com.