So someone has hit pause on 2020. The status quo is no longer. It’s hard to even remember what day it is anymore. And for anyone in the middle of long term rehab, it’s possibly one of the best things that could happen.
The thing with rehab and recovery, be it from injury or after surgery, is that you are treading a fine line. You need to get the balance right – rehab is underpinned by the principle of optimal loading – placing enough stress on the injured tissue, surrounding structures and the nervous system so as to encourage healing but avoiding overload and reinjury.
But one of the biggest battles you can face is against the clock.
“When will I be back?”
Every patient asks us this.
Without fail.
Every single day.
All because you want to be back playing yesterday. And we get it – no one ever asks to be injured. No one ever wants to spend time rehabbing. It is a lonely place. Not only are you missing out on sport but for many their social circle is gone. Their normal is gone.
During rehab you’re not firing on all cylinders, rightly so. Your system isn’t ready for it. Normally the problem is, when you’re not, everyone else is. Except in 2020.
Trying to come back from injury, during the business end of a season, into the thick of it when you don’t have that training load under your belt, you don’t have that match sharpness, you’re physically but maybe not mentally ready, is tough. Except in 2020. The world has stood still and now everyone is on a level playing field.
You have the time to rehab without the clock ticking. We’re in this for the long haul. Getting back to (a new) normal is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Use your time wisely now. Long term rehab requires a lot of time and effort. Often underestimated. If you’re out injured now, you have all the time in the world.
Nail the basics
Be consistent
Control the controllables
Good rehab should leave you coming back stronger than you ever were.
Do your rehab well. Mend your nets.
