“What can help/hinder my recovery??”
Understanding the factors that can speed up your healing process and those that can slow it is important. When you come to visit us your practitioner will carry out a full assessment and based on the following factors and their clinical experience and training make treatment recommendations and give home advice to help you on your journey towards recovery.
How long you’ve had ‘the problem’
How long you’ve felt pain is only the tip of the iceberg. Often, we find that the underlying problem has been in progress and developing for a longer period of time and a ‘last straw’ event has tipped you over into experiencing symptoms. We all know the people who bent up to pick a pen off the floor and ended up with a prolapsed disc! How many pens would they have picked up in their lifetime and never had this happen. The truth is there has probably been stiffness or an ache or sharp pain on occasion that has been brushed aside as something minor and then before they know it that last straw has ‘given way’. The longer an issue has been bubbling, the longer it is likely to take to improve.
Type of tissue
Our body tissues are made up of different types of cells which all heal at different rates. A typical bone fracture will take 6-8 weeks to heal, whereas a ligament sprain might take a bit longer. Healing time can depend on which tissues are involved in your injury. Sometimes it may just be a simple muscle or joint strain, or it can be something more specialised like a nerve which usually takes a longer time to regenerate. At times, multiple different structures can be involved which can make for a more complex situation.
Previous injuries
Falls, sprains and car accidents (even minor bumps) can cause trauma to areas which set up compensation patterns and put extra load on some areas of your body (not just the area that was injured in the first place). Even if we feel ‘fine’ after a car accident or a fall its best to get checked over to stop a problem building up.
Psychoemotional factors
Scientific studies have shown that our attitude towards recovery can greatly affect the outcome. A positive focus on healing can help in almost all cases. Meditation, yoga, cold water therapy and various breathing practices can also be of use to promote recovery.
Other health issues
Some conditions can make tissue healing a little more challenging. These include but are not limited to thyroid issues, osteoporosis, forms of arthritis and joint hypermobility. This is not to say you cannot be helped if you have been diagnosed with these conditions, however we do bear this in mind when making our recommendations and treatment approach plan.
Age
We strongly believe that ‘age is just a number’. Some 85 years olds are fitter than some 25 year olds. However, healing and repair can take a little longer as we travel through the decades. The more you can keep mobile and fit the less likely the number of candles you’re blowing out this year are going to factor into your recovery.
Fitness and Nutrition
Following a tailored exercise programme, walking, good nutrition and optimal hydration can make a massive difference in how quickly and effectively your body repairs. If you have good quality fuel going into your body and your joints and muscles are well-oiled, you will function better just as your car would.
Occupational/Postural strain
The postures and positions we regularly adopt can create strain patterns and increased pressure on particular areas. Sitting with our legs crossed, at a poorly adapted workstation or lifting weights without our shoulders aligned can lead to asymmetrical strains. If these dysfunctional patterns are continued on a regular basis, the changes we make during treatments are likely to bounce back into a poor alignment much quicker.
If you have any questions about any of the above please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01292 502 292 or e-mail info@corehealthchiropractic.co.uk to get your very own shiny copy of our leaflet!
‘til next time,
Francesca