How to Speed Up Recovery from a Sports Hernia

sports-hernia-planks“The road to recovery” is called a road for a reason. Recovery from surgery requires committing to staying the course for as long as it takes to get to the destination. The more focused you are, the quicker you’ll reach a full recovery. Several activities can help to speed up your recovery process and get you back out on the field faster.

First, it’s important to always follow the instructions Dr. Brown provides. Use his years of experience to avoid prolonged recovery – after all, that’s what he’s here for. Physical therapy is the most common post-surgery option, and has been proven to be effective. Make physical therapy a priority. No matter how complicated or ridiculous an exercise may seem: you can be sure that it has been tried and tested to help recovery. Every move is designed to help you return to your everyday activities in the quickest and safest way possible.

It’s important not to go too fast, though, as your body does need some time to heal. Remember that though it may seem more like a procedure for some, sports hernia repair surgery is like many other surgeries. It can be tempting to try to purposefully speed up your physical therapy or prescribed routine, but doing so could re-aggravate or even re-injure your muscles, leading to an even longer period of recovery. It’s best to go at the pace recommended by Dr. Brown, while listening to what your muscles tell you to find the right pace.

If compatible with your physical therapy regimen, several stretches can improve flexibility in the affected muscle groups. Adductor, hamstring, and butterfly stretches all help to make the groin muscles less susceptible to injury, while core exercises like planks and squats can rebuild the core. It’s crucial to make sure that these activities are appropriate for your stage of recovery, however, as sports hernias, especially those repaired by surgery, are likely to come back if you push too hard, too fast.

The best advice that you can follow to speed up your recovery is to have a positive outlook and respecting your limitations. Working every day to get back to 100% will ensure the best results, but don’t put too much stress on yourself. Doing so reduces the chances that you could re-aggravate your injury. Recovering from a sports hernia can be an easy process, and can even result in you coming back stronger than ever. The trick is to follow Dr. Brown’s or your therapist’s instructions and put in effort every day. You’ll be back at it sooner and stronger than you think.