If you’ve been involved in a serious medical accident, your attention is likely to be focused on the difficulties immediately facing you as you recover from your injury. Regaining your previous fitness, even if you were a keen sportsperson before your accident, may be the last thing on your mind but regaining your strength and flexibility, as well as finding enjoyment in sports and fitness, will help you recover both your health and your confidence.
The severity of your injury, as well as the type of injury, will affect the programme of rehabilitation that you will need to undertake. Many people must relearn skills, or find new ways of completing everyday tasks, as well as rebuilding fitness. Working with a physical therapist can assist with your mobility, strength and fitness but is just one part of rehabilitation; other therapies which you may be offered include occupational therapy and speech-language therapy, alongside the management and treatment of your injury and pain. If you wish to return to sports and exercise, working with a fitness professional that can advise on your specific case and help you to develop your technique to prevent further injuries and pain is also advisable.
However, this process can be time-consuming and expensive. A specialist injury lawyer like Field Fisher Waterhouse can assist you in securing vital compensation for your medical accident, easing the financial strain of rehabilitation and allowing you to focus on your health. You may also wish to take advice from organisations like The Disabilities Trust, experts in rehabilitation, who can signpost you to appropriate services and aid you in getting the help you need during this difficult time. They will be able to point you in the right direction if you are looking for a professional that can help you regain your desired level of fitness.
It is vital to check with your GP before undertaking any new exercise regime. While exercise is a vital part of the rehabilitation process, there is the risk that more damage can be done to muscles and joints so care must be taken and the appropriate experts consulted. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle alongside your new fitness regime, including a balanced diet and regular sleeping pattern, will also help prepare your body and aid recovery.
Gentle activity which doesn’t put stress on any affected areas or cause pain will help you to ease back into a routine of regular exercise. Your focus should remain on proper form and technique to prevent any further injuries, and a thorough warm-up should always be completed. Select appropriate exercises which will work with your injury; for example, biking is less jarring to the spine than other forms of aerobic exercise and therefore will be ideal for those with back injuries. For further information about appropriate sports and exercises which can be performed by those with back and spinal injuries, visit Spine Health.
Planning a progressive return to full training and working hard, but not enough to cause you pain, means that over time you will begin to regain your fitness, and your enjoyment of sport.
Regaining Fitness Following a Medical Accident
