A major injury can be devastating for any athlete, especially if you’re young and ambitious. You might feel angry, frustrated, depressed, or even hopeless. But don’t give up on your dreams. You can overcome this challenge and come back stronger than ever. Here are some tips on how to do it.
The first step to recovery is to accept your reality. Don’t deny, minimize, or blame yourself or others for your injury. Acknowledge the pain, the loss, and the uncertainty. But also recognize that this is not the end of your story. You still have the power to shape your future. Accepting your situation will help you cope better and focus on what you can control.
Accept the situation but don’t give up get trained deferent way suitable with your situation at the same time seek help from others have been in the same situation before
From 1st hand knowledge prolapsing sever discs in my lumbar region and being told I would never be athletic again. I talked about this in podcast... The Underdog Show with Pamela Bardhi if you want to hear my story What improvements can you make right now? -Improve nutrition to speed recovery -Improve blood flow to other areas of your body to help systemic progressions -Focus on the bigger picture but be realistic in what progressions you can really make and take it step by step -Try different treatments, I tried loads and loads and each treatment helped at least a small amount and helped me understand how my body works. Focus your mind on growth and learning and learn to be patient, I was constantly 2 steps forward, 1 step back to success
The power of belief is a miraculous thing, look into all the examples of the "placebo" effect and even the 2% of individuals with Multiple personality disorder to understand just how powerful the mind is in manipulating your physiology through true belief. This has helped me through multiple injuries and set backs.
The second step is to get the best medical care possible. Follow your doctor’s advice and stick to your treatment plan. Don’t rush or skip any steps. Be patient and trust the process. You might also benefit from seeing a physical therapist, a nutritionist, a psychologist, or a coach. They can help you with your physical, mental, and emotional recovery. Seek professional help whenever you need it.
Mental and emotional help is of utmost importance whenever we have a setback in any area of life. It is best to seek advice from those with similar values as you do because advice may vary depending on belief systems.
Mental care is as important as medical and physical care. Unfortunately, many athletes don’t get that help or even realize how important it is for good rehabilitation. Because there is so much more than physically and medically healing an injury. It is also about understanding the importance of mental recovery, it is about how to deal with your identity while you can’t do the things you love with the people in your club/training. Get a pain coach, mental coach, psychologist or similar. It will help you strengthen your mental and physical resilience in a more efficient way!
The third step is to set realistic and specific goals for your comeback. Don’t compare yourself to others or to your pre-injury level. Start from where you are and work your way up gradually. Break down your goals into smaller and measurable steps. Celebrate your progress and reward yourself for your efforts. Setting realistic goals will help you stay motivated and optimistic.
The fourth step is to adjust your training according to your current condition. Don’t push yourself too hard or too fast. Listen to your body and respect its limits. Avoid activities that might aggravate your injury or cause new ones. Instead, focus on strengthening your core, improving your flexibility, and enhancing your skills. You can also try cross-training or alternative exercises that suit your needs. Adjusting your training will help you prevent further damage and improve your performance.
The fifth step is to learn from others who have gone through similar experiences. You can find inspiration and support from athletes who have overcome major injuries and returned to their sport. You can also seek advice and feedback from your peers, mentors, or role models. They can share their stories, tips, and strategies with you. Learning from others will help you gain perspective and confidence.
The sixth step is to enjoy the journey of recovery and comeback. Don’t let your injury define you or limit you. Remember why you love your sport and what it means to you. Find joy and gratitude in every moment, even the difficult ones. Have fun and be creative with your training. Challenge yourself and embrace new opportunities. Enjoying the journey will help you grow as an athlete and as a person.