For many people who suffer an injury, perhaps with their feet propped on a pillow and the TV on, the last thing they may be thinking of doing is exercising. Yet practising physical activity following an injury has many benefits. It’s often an important part of the healing journey for the recently injured or recent surgery patients.
Healing aid
Participating in physical activity will increase blood flow and circulation, which helps during the healing process.1,2 Rehabilitative exercise can encourage people to move in a way that won’t exacerbate an injury, but ensure that blood is continually flowing. Such movement can also reduce inflammation and help prevent complications such as scar tissue, which often interferes with mobility and recovery.1
Motion enabling
Some injuries will be so significant to people that it they’re prevented from using muscle on which they would previously rely. While some movement may never be restored, specialists can help strengthen the surrounding and most affected area to improve flexibility, thereby assisting people in slowly and safely regaining their range of motion.1<superscript>
Pain relief
Rehabilitative exercises can help manage pain as well as assist in establishing which factors may be contributing to the inflammation. By using a range of techniques, a specialist will be able to source where the direct pain is coming from and help restore mobility in the area, to help facilitate movement with ease and without pain.1
Rehabilitative exercise tips
According to the Injury Clinic, when exercise is prescribed as a rehabilitative strategy for someone with an injury, it will involve the following components:
- Type of exercise. This varies from strength exercise to motor control to
- Frequency. This touches on recommended durations for daily exercising.
- Specific. Ensuring the actual exercise is performed correctly.
- Intensity. Exercises should be intense but not at a level that may cause another injur
Professional advice
The best advice a pharmacy assistant can give to a customer, if they’ve noticed signs that they may benefit from exercise in helping heal an injury, is a recommendation that they see a physiotherapist or GP, who will be able to decide which exercises will benefit them, and provide guidance on how they can safely complete these.
References
Pinnacle Health Chiropractic. ‘Why rehabilitative exercise after an injury is so important’. com/blog/why-rehabilitative-exercise-after-an-injury-is-so-important.
- St Kilda Osteopathy. ‘What movement or exercise can you do when you’re injured?’ com.au/blog/what-movement-or-exercise-can-you-do-when-youre-injured/
- The Injury Clinic. ‘Exercise as part of injury management and prevention’. theinjuryclinic.com.au/injury-management-and-prevention/
This article was first published in RPA March
