When it comes to recovering from injuries or aches and pains, we’re all very familiar with how it can physically affect us. Heat, ice, support belts, massage guns - the list of physical aids that we focus on can be endless. But not nearly enough emphasis is placed on the mental side of the equation. 

Getting in the “right headspace” can supercharge your recovery or return to normal activities…and Sports Therapists are perfectly positioned to help you through the ups and downs, writes Hannah Bolwell.

(3 minute read)

How Does Getting Injured Affect Our Mental Health?

Does this sound familiar? Injuries can affect both your physical and mental health… It is important to keep active for the benefit of your injuries but also your wellbeing. There are many reasons as to why you may experience these negative feelings towards injury.

Injuries Cause An Emotional Reaction

Uncertainty is one of the biggest triggers for emotions like anger, sadness and worry. After an injury, there are many questions that may run through your head such as;

• What have I done?

• How serious is it

• How long before I can expect to feel better?

• Will it be this way forever?

A Sports Therapist’s first job is to ascertain the source of the pain. That’s why we always start with a thorough assessment at Pyramid Health. We can then explain to you in clear terms what the problem is, with clear expectations of how long we expect your recovery to take.

Once you are reassured, we will talk you through the treatment options and find a plan that suits you.

Potential Pitfalls

Oftentimes the physical side of injuries can be easily managed, but the mental side can be fraught with difficulties. Here are some of the most common pitfalls and some of the ways Sports Therapists can help you navigate them:

• Loss of Motivation: Rehab can become repetitive and dull. This is especially true for sports enthusiasts who may have to take longer breaks. Ironically this disillusionment can cause them to become less adherent to their exercise programmes so regular check-ins with your therapist can have a “pick-me-up” effect that will keep your recovery on track.

• Overtraining: Highly motivated people often want to “supercharge” their recovery, but doing too much too soon can lead to further injury or burnout. Sports Therapists can identify signs of overtraining and provide guidance on appropriate rest and recovery strategies to optimise your recovery.

• Not Recognising Progress: The process of rehabilitating muscles and joints can often mean that clients don’t recognise the progress they are making between visits. Many times a client who is frustrated with a perceived lack of progress is buoyed by the re-testing done in the clinic and their progress is plain to see.

• Secondary Injuries: Altered movement mechanics like limping can cause different muscles and joints to become overloaded and become susceptible to further injury. Sports Therapists will help to navigate this and keep your whole body working to minimise the risk of another injury striking you just as you’re getting back to your best.

Fear of Re-Injury

Being scared of getting injured again, or not knowing if you'll fully recover can cause big feelings of apprehension. This is a very normal response after sustaining an injury, but can set back your recovery if not managed properly.

You may feel

• Nervous when trying new exercises

• Worried the injured area is weaker than it was

• Hesitant when doing your exercises 

A proper assessment will help to identify activities that cause Fear Avoidance, and a well-structured treatment plan put together by a professional will account for this. Fear Avoidance is very common and should not be “shrugged off”.

Rehab: A Challenge Worth Taking On

Rehabbing an injury, especially a significant one, is a very challenging but ultimately highly rewarding process. Successfully navigating this challenge can bring about a huge sense of achievement and positive feeling of self-esteem, but we all need a bit of help sometimes.

If you’re struggling to see a way back to where you want to be, book an appointment with us today and we’ll get you started on the road to recovery.