Pain is an unpleasant, but universal sensation. It is a sign your body has registered some sort of stress and needs to work harder to recover. A Vancouver kinesiologist will prescribe several activities during active rehabilitation therapy if the patient has strained their muscles or tendons in a specific area of the body. The right exercises will assist in the healing process and decrease pain. Recovery time can be accelerated with the help of a qualified kinesiologist by tackling: These recovery strategies will assist in lowering pain from active strains and sprains, as well as accelerate healing time from other sports injuries or accidents. Here are some helpful tips on how activity-based rehab can lower pain:
Cardiovascular exercise
When your body is under stress, it produces extra levels of stress hormones to initiate the healing process quicker. A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that cardiovascular exercises, like running or cycling, will lower pain, but not as effective as resistance training. Resistance training has been proven to reduce pain by as much as 72% after only one session, whereas cardiovascular exercise requires more frequent sessions to get the same effects. Cardio exercise is still an important part of active rehabilitation, as it will improve your strength and endurance, while also improving your blood flow. The blood carries nutrients and oxygen to the injured area, which will assist in healing the muscle. If a patient is experiencing high levels of pain and discomfort, they may find that aerobic exercise can help temporarily relieve those symptoms.
Stretching
Cutting back on strenuous exercise is essential when you have an injury, but you should also incorporate stretching into your active rehabilitation therapy routine. Stretching exercises can be undertaken in the early stages. They should not be painful. They should be done slowly, and held for 15 seconds. Stretching can help maintain joint mobility, improve strength and flexibility, and reduce the risk of injury in the future. Active injuries such as tendinitis and sprains can be extremely painful, and stretching can help alleviate some of that pain. If you have an injury, always check with your Vancouver kinesiologist before beginning a stretching program.
General strength training
During active rehabilitation, strength training is crucial for injury prevention, as well as aiding in the healing process. Training with weights will help to build up the muscles surrounding the injured area to prevent the risk of re-injury. It has been proven that resistance strength training has beneficial effects on pain and function by increasing muscle strength in patients who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Strengthening the muscles surrounding the injured area will help to improve the patient’s overall posture and reduce the risk of re-injury. It is important for patients to consult with a Vancouver kinesiologist before setting up a strength training program. A Vancouver kinesiologist will be able to determine the best exercises for the patient based on their diagnosis.
Kinesiology tape application
The process of kinesiology taping has been around for over 30 years and has been proven to be highly effective. Kinesiology tape is a type of elastic therapeutic tape that is applied to the skin to assist in the healing process of an injury. It has been proven to help with pain reduction, muscle strengthening, and improving joint range of motion. A Vancouver kinesiologist has the training and experience to apply the tape to the injured area of the body in a way that will assist in the healing process. There are many different types of kinesiology tapes, so a Vancouver kinesiologist will be able to determine what type of tape will be most effective for the patient’s injury.
Breathing and relaxation exercises
Breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can help alleviate pain, reduce stress and promote an overall sense of well-being. These techniques are especially effective when the patient is undergoing active rehabilitation exercises. Practicing breathing exercises before getting started with the active rehabilitation exercises provides a coping mechanism when the exercises are uncomfortable. Relaxation techniques such as meditation and imagery can be used when the pain from the injury is too high. They can also be used when you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed by the rehabilitation process. You can even do these relaxation techniques in a group setting to help you feel more connected with others who are also undergoing Vancouver active rehab.
Conclusion
During active rehabilitation therapy, your Vancouver kinesiologist will tailor a program to meet your needs. You will be using different exercises in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the pain associated with an active strain or sprain. These strategies will help you get back to your normal activities faster, and allow you to feel more comfortable in the process.
