Recovery and Rehabilitation After Personal Injury. A severe injury can present a range of challenges, both to the person who has suffered it, and to the network of friends and loved ones who might act to support that person.
Let’s take a look at how we might approach recovery and rehabilitation, and what sorts of steps we might take to get the best from these processes.
The Importance of Physical Therapy
Physical injuries will often require physical therapy. This is an umbrella term covering a range of exercises that might be prescribed by a physiotherapist. These exercises are there to promote mobility, to restore muscle function, and to ultimately allow you to move as you once did – or as close to that ideal as possible.
Physical therapy will naturally relieve pain, help prevent further injury, and provide a basis for a healthy lifestyle in the long term. It should be done as consistently as recommended by your therapist, with time for recovery and active rest built in. Trying to go too far, too fast will usually result in setbacks.
Understanding the Emotional and Psychological Impact
A severe injury can often cause mental distress, as well as physical distress. The victim might find that they’re unable to do simple things – like play sports, drive to the shops, cook dinner, or even get out of bed.
The psychological aspect of an injury is often deprioritised in favour of the more immediate, tangible consequences. But it’s vital that we acknowledge and anticipate problems like frustration, loneliness and depression. When they take us by surprise, these emotions can be extremely difficult to manage.
Building a Support System
A network of close friends and family members can play a critical role during recovery. They’ll provide someone to talk to – and to help with practical problems, like attending rehabilitation sessions, or helping you to deal with your personal injury claim.
If you’re an independent-minded person, then you might find it difficult to ask for help, even when you need it. Facing up to this tendency early in the process will make your rehabilitation a great deal more enjoyable. Communicate your feelings and needs to your support network, and you’ll give them the opportunity to be supportive.
In many cases, you might use your support network to articulate your frustrations and problems out loud, which can be therapeutic, even if you don’t actually intervene to deal with the problems being articulated.
For some patients, specialist psychological help will be appropriate. Your support network shouldn’t act as a replacement for professional help, but as a supplement for it. If you feel that you need another level of support, then it’s important to seek help from those who can give it.
Hope you’ve found our article, Recovery and Rehabilitation After Personal Injury useful.
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