After months or even years of training, a sports injury can leave any athlete feeling defeated. However, with the right recovery plan, your comeback may arrive sooner than you expect. While your healing process will depend on your specific injury, the following sports medicine tips may speed up your journey.

3 Tips to Help You Heal From a Sports Injury Faster

1. Tone Down Your Routine

You might have heard that you need to rest after a sports injury to avoid aggravating the issue. However, in most cases, you should maintain a consistent but milder exercise regimen. Light cardio exercises, such as swimming or walking, will promote circulation and further the body's natural healing process. They’ll also prevent your muscles from tightening up around the injury, so your joints remain flexible and you’re less likely to incur additional damage.

2. Wear a Brace

To optimize your recovery, you may need to limit the mobility of the affected joint, such as by wearing a brace on your knee or elbow. This will prevent additional wear and tear on torn muscles or fractured bones and remind you to use caution throughout the day.

Wear a brace with a rigid material, such as plastic, during the day, to avoid bumping your injury into furniture, pets, or other people. At night, you’ll still want to hold the joint in place, but you can switch to a softer brace to help you fall asleep.

3. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Strengthen your body from the inside out with dishes that incorporate vitamin C, like kale and strawberries. This nutrient assists in collagen production, which helps heal soft tissues and minimize inflammation. Also, focus on foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and avocados. These will not only speed up your recovery time but also prevent future sports injuries.

If you're hoping to get out of bed and back to your sport of choice, reach out to Orthopedic Associates of Hawaii. Since 1968, this clinic has provided cutting-edge solutions, like cartilage restoration and reconstructive surgery, to help patients get back to their passions. With locations throughout Oahu and the neighbor islands, it's easy to get treatment close to home. To schedule an appointment with a sports medicine professional, call (808) 536-2261. You can also visit the website to learn more about their capabilities.