Rebuild & Reclaim: 5 Simple Tips for Injury Rehab at Home

If you recently hurt yourself, it’s important to put in the effort to get back on track. Without rehabilitation, you can expect any or all of the following: long-term pain, limited movement, and expensive medical bills for a long time to come. To rebuild your strength and range of motion, you likely need regular physiotherapy. If going to a physiotherapist’s office, though, is hard for you, then here are some simple ways to do injury rehab at home. 

Home Physiotherapy

If you are older, less mobile, or your injury prevents you from driving, then there is a good chance that home physiotherapy is the best option for you. Many physiotherapists offer residential visits so that you can get the professional review and advice that you need without leaving the comfort of home.

There are many benefits of injury rehab at home with a physiotherapist. For example, eliminating travel time makes it easier to slot the exercises into your day.

You can also rest and recuperate immediately after you complete your exercises. As well as being convenient, inviting a physio into your residence gives the clinician the opportunity to assess your home for risk areas. They will then likely offer ways to change your living area to reduce strain and the chance of further injury.

Home Safety Assessment

It is probably worthwhile arranging a home safety assessment when you start injury rehab at home. That’s especially true if you require walking aids like crutches or a wheelchair during recovery. During the residential safety assessment, an expert will assess things like:

• Lighting
• Width of your doorways
• Staircases
• Small steps between rooms
• Trip hazards
• Ease of access to the shower and toilet

Once you know about possible problems in your house, the specialist can suggest improvements to help you stay safe.

Do Stretches in Your Injury Rehab at Home

Stretches are a necessary part of your injury rehab at home. Doing them can help you avoid muscle tightness and get back a full range of movement post-injury.

Make sure that you consult closely with your physiotherapist about the type of movements you are doing though. While the correct stretches can speed up recovery, the wrong ones will have the opposite effect. You could even damage your body further.

Try to build muscles that are both strong and flexible. Doing so will help keep your body from harm later. Stretching also has valuable benefits for the mind.

Use an App to Help You

These days there is an app for everything. You may find it useful to download an educational app to help you understand your injury in simple terms. It can show you images and models of the affected area, as well as strengthening and stretching exercises.

Or, if you simply need help staying on track with your program, there are apps that will log your progress and encourage you to stick with the exercise schedule. These applications can be really helpful for long-term motivation. That’s especially true if you are someone who struggles with responsibility.

Injury Rehab at Home: Make Sure You Have Help

If you are recovering from a serious injury, make sure that you have the right support. You don’t have to go it alone. You’re not being weak if you ask for help from friends and family. Chances are that they will be happy to help you.

Consider how you will shop, cook, clean and get around while in injury rehab at home. There may be outpatient services available. Check for medical rebates too. 

The truth is that there will be overwhelming, exhausting, and frustrating moments as you get back on track after an injury. However, all the effort and time will be well worth it when you are back on your feet again.