Whether you’re an athlete or a weekend warrior, injuries are frustrating to deal with, especially when you’re forced out of the game for extended periods of time. However, when you do have an accident, it’s important to take the necessary steps to achieve a full recovery so you can prevent the same injury from reoccurring. Fortunately, the friendly physical therapists at Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy at Island Hospital (POST) in Anacortes, WA, are here to share some helpful advice.

3 Steps Towards Injury Recovery

1. Rest the Injury

After getting injured, the first step you must take is to follow the RICE method: rest, ice, compress, and elevate. This will help to relieve the pain and swelling and get you started on the road to healing and recovering from your injury. Avoid any activity that puts stress on your injury.

2. Restore Range of Motion

The next step is to work with your healthcare provider and physical therapist to restore your range of motion. Your therapist and doctor will work together to create a custom treatment plan with both active and passive exercises that aim to improve joint function, reduce pain, and increase balance and flexibility.

3. Regain Muscle Strength

While recovering from your injury, it’s natural to lose muscle strength due to extended periods without exercise. The next step of physical therapy is to help you regain your muscle strength. The therapist will prescribe exercises that may involve weights, resistance bands, or your own body weight to improve strength and build up the weakened muscles.

If you are in the process of recovery and need to work with a physical therapist, POST in Anacortes, WA, provides the highest quality services. Their physical therapists will design a custom treatment plan with exercises you can perform both in and outside of the clinic to help you return to your former self. Call (855) 440-4200 to schedule an appointment or visit the website for more information.