WHO ME REST?

Written by RetroFit™ Pilates RX

WHO ME REST? The Art of Taking Care of Yourself after an Injury

So the fitness instructor finally injured herself pushing her body way beyond her limits. After 3 visits to the ER, I to Urgent Care, several meetings with the Physical Therapist and 2 MRI’s, I was diagnosed with “over use syndrome”. All I know is I have been in terrible pain for 3 weeks and cannot do much of anything. Since I make my living teaching fitness and my free time is taken up playing sports what a hole this debilitating injury has caused in my day. I am supposed to “give my body a rest”. What a concept. What can I do in my new resting state of mind?

Let’s go back to meditating in the morning to awaken my senses and evening to give thanks for still being on the planet.

Time to make appointments at the Apple Store and really discover how to use my new MAC.
Connect with old friends and family using the social network or the phone.

There is always plenty of stuff to do. Here are a few suggestions for your body.

1. ICE/HEAT can be your best friend. Talk to a PT, Doctor or Athletic Trainer (not another PB player) when and how to use both.
2. Wrap the body part (knees, elbows, ankles). There are good braces and not so good over the counter wraps. Most ACE bandages are not great but make you think they are. Talk to right PT who can lead you to the best braces on the market.
3. Laying off using the body part for 6 weeks or longer is best then slowly begin a program to strengthen.

There are 4 Phases to an injury

Phase I right after the injury swelling, bruising, pain and numbness and tingling lasting a few days or more.

Phase II the body sets up a protection of the injured area which takes weeks.

Phase III the body begins to repair the area which takes weeks.

Phase IV begin a rehab program to strengthen the weakened area.

Since my problem is stabbing, shooting and radiating pain down my left leg, there is nothing to wrap. I did Kinesio tape myself and now my body looks like a roadmap of colors. Sometimes, I press on my back and the pain subsides, sometimes I press on my leg or hip and it goes away and I take an anti- inflammatory medication. All I do know is the pain is terrible and I want to continue my PB life well into my 80″s and 90″s so I need to rest now and save my body for later. Also, I Must cut down my eating while not exercising otherwise my PB clothes won’t fit when I return to playing.

Good luck to all us injured warriors. Time to go rent a movie