Mental Strategies for Recovering From a Sports Injury

A sports injury may take your athlete off the field or court for weeks. Beyond their physical injury, the discouragement of not being able to play may also affect your mood. The doctors at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics say that finding healthy ways to cope with an injury is imperative to both your athlete’s physical and mental recovery.

“The most important part of an athlete’s mental recovery is staying actively involved in a physical therapy and rehabilitation program,” explains Dr. Zachary Hill, sports medicine surgeon at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics. “Finding new, alternative ways to stay active can help them keep their spirits high.”

Dealing with an injury takes time and patience, but finding alternatives to a typical workout can be simple. Even if one body part is immobilized, your athletes can stay fit while rehabilitating by cross-training. If they’ve injured their foot or ankle, a doctor may recommend staying fit by using a rowing machine or swimming, while an elbow or shoulder injury may still allow them to walk, climb stairs, or use a hands-free stationary bike.

If your athlete is recovering from an injury and needs guidance on staying fit and maintaining a positive outlook, our sports medicine specialists at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics are here to help. Please call (559) 256-5200 or schedule an appointment online to get the expert support your athletes need.