Are you looking for the best ways to get through a sports injury? Unless you are an athlete, you may never know how difficult it may be to get through a sports injury.
It isn’t always the actual physical pain, therapy, or healing times, but often it is the worry of not knowing the extent of any permanent damage that injury may cause.
Any pro-hopeful knows and understands the mental anguish that can prevent physical healing. But did you know your mind is just that powerful? Whether you are a college athlete, a semi-professional, or a pro athlete, these tips on getting through a sports injury may hasten your recovery.
1. Get an Accurate Diagnosis
One of the biggest mistakes many athletes make is to avoid getting an accurate diagnosis after the game. An injury that occurs during the game, especially pro or semi-pro games, will see a trainer and perhaps the team’s sports physician to do a quick assessment to see if they believe you broke any bones.
Some pro teams even come with a mobile x-ray machine, but those aren’t always conclusive. For example, minor hairline fractures are often not discernable on an x-ray, and other scans may need to be taken to see if there is any reason for more intensive treatments besides the bandage the trainer wrapped their leg in.
2. Try to Avoid Chemical Pain Medications
One of the biggest problems with prescription pain medications isn’t the immediate danger but the danger of addiction. So many athletes have admitted to becoming addicted to opioids that the addiction was worse than the injury. Some have stated that they never bounced back because of it. You will find that the best kratom extracts have several benefits besides pain relief.
Kratom, specifically the Mitragyna Speciosa strain mentioned above, has stimulant and sedative effects that can help an athlete’s mental outlook on recovery. It is also an anti-inflammatory botanical that can help heal and relieve pain by reducing the injury’s inflammation. Not known to be addictive as opioids, it is far safer from the perspective of addiction.
3. Resist the Urge to Work Out Before Being Released to Do So
Athletes should not work out too quickly before being given medical clearance. If there was a break, even a hairline fracture, it could be re-broken if not correctly set before exercising. Please wait until you are told it is safe to get back into the gym at all costs.
4. Stay Positive
This may be easier said than done, but your state of mind can significantly affect healing. Therefore, supplements like kratom can help the healing process. This way, kratom is like opioids but without the highly addictive side effects. You can liken it to caffeine because it is in the same botanicals as the coffee that energizes and motivates us.
5. Affirmations and Positive Guided Imagery
Experts will tell you repeatedly to stay positive, but you may wonder how to do that when your every thought develops around whether you will ever be able to compete again.
Will you get in quickly enough to block shots outside the 3-point line? As a wide receiver, will you have the strength and agility to catch the ball from the quarterback to advance down the field? What about sliding into the home for that ever-elusive home run?
By using guided imagery, you can close your eyes and see yourself doing these things as you once did. No! You will see yourself as better than you were. Keep focusing on what you can do and leave the rest behind. You can do this! It’s what trained you to do; one minor injury will not keep you down!