Accidents happen. Accidents can also lead to life-altering changes. When the accident in question was a car accident or similar severe accident, the recovery process can be absolutely brutal. The unfortunate fact is that the only way through such a recovery is through hard work and sheer determination. It’s going to be hard and painful, but doing the work now can mean less pain, more strength, and greater flexibility in your future.
You may feel like your old self again, or you may not—but following this guide will help you bounce back better.
Encourage Healthy Healing
When you’re recovering after a serious injury there is going to be a long period where your only goal is to heal. During this time you’ll want to fuel yourself with nutrients and vitamins to give your body the energy it needs to do the hard work. You’ll also want to keep your circulation up, which can be accomplished with light exercises like stretches. Be gentle with yourself until you’re cleared for physical therapy.
Go For Physical Therapy
There are many different types of physical therapy: a chiropractor can help you with issues such as whiplash or back pain; a physical therapist can help you regain strength and flexibility after a serious laceration or bone break. You may go to physical therapy in Charlotte for a few weeks following your accident, or regularly for the rest of your life to deal with issues such as leg pain or hip pain that just won’t go away.
Physical therapy can help you with both your rehabilitation process and with chronic pain, making it essential for both the short-term and long-term recovery process.
Don’t Ignore Your Mental Scars
Being in a serious accident (even if it was a total fluke) can be traumatizing. Some may even develop PTSD or other anxiety disorders about it. It doesn’t matter how well you can rationalize the accident, if you are struggling to deal with it or process it, then it’s critical that you seek out mental health services.
Work through how you feel about the accident, process your fears, and get it out in the open. Trying to stamp down on how you feel can just make it root in your system and rot from there. By caring for your mental recovery as well as your physical recovery, you can bounce back better.
Build On Your Core And Flexibility
Two of the most important areas of fitness for those recovering from an injury are your core strength and overall flexibility. After your initial stage of physical therapy, try to find an exercise that will help develop these two key areas. You may want to try yoga, for example, or underwater exercises.
By building such strength in low-intensity ways, you can reach further, do more, and minimize the risk of accidentally hurting yourself as you go about your day. As a bonus, committing to these exercises now can also help you keep that freedom of movement as you age.
