Why Movement is Important for Healing Injuries

Patient getting help working out

How Moving Helps Your Injuries Heal

Although taking it easy might seem like the best strategy after an injury, spending too much time on the couch may be a bad idea. In fact, inactivity could actually make your symptoms worse and prolong your recovery time. Movement triggers your body's natural healing response and reduces your risk of chronic pain.

The Benefits of Moving

When you injure yourself, your body immediately activates its self-repair function. White blood cells flood the injured area and begin repairing the damaged tissues and cells. Increased blood flow causes inflammation and is the reason that you may notice swelling, stiffness, or redness around your injury.

At this point, rest is a priority. Resting gives your body the time it needs to begin the healing process, but too much rest can slow healing, increase stiffness, and other symptoms.

In most cases, you can begin moving one to two days after your injury, depending on the type and severity of the injury. While it's not a good idea to participate in high-impact or vigorous activity, gentle exercises and stretches can be an important part of the healing process.

Incorporating movement in your recovery will:

  • Reduce Inflammation. Although inflammation is essential when an injury first occurs, it can cause lingering stiffness and pain when you move your joints. Movement relieves inflammation naturally, helping you to return to your normal activities faster.
  • Break Up Scar Tissue. Your body produces scar tissues to repair muscles, tissues, ligaments, and tendons. Unfortunately, your body may make more tissue than you need to heal your injury. Scar tissue build-up restricts the movement of muscles and joints, which causes pain and reduced range of motion.
  • Improve Blood Flow. Injuries can restrict blood flow, depriving your tissues of the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal. Movement improves blood circulation and promotes healing.
  • Lubricate Your Joints. Fluid surrounding your joints lubricates the bones and helps nutrients penetrate the tissues. Activity keeps the fluid flowing and helps you avoid painful, creaky joints.
  • Help Avoid Chronic Pain. Being inactive may increase your risk of long-term pain, stiffness, or mobility problems.

How Your Chiropractor Can Help You Get Moving

Moving can be difficult if you're experiencing stiffness, pain, and inflammation. Pain relievers and muscle relaxants only offer short-term relief of your symptoms, while chiropractic treatment targets the source of the problem. Spinal manipulation, massage, soft tissue mobilization, traction, ultrasound therapy, and other treatments your chiropractor offers help by:

  • Breaking apart scar tissue
  • Realigning your spine
  • Easing pressure on nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments
  • Improving flexibility and range of motion
  • Decreasing inflammation
  • Relaxing tight muscles
  • Releasing endorphins - your body's natural painkillers

Chiropractic treatment offers an effective way to manage pain and could help you increase your activity level. In a study published in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in May 2018, researchers revealed that spinal manipulation combined with other therapies improved low back pain intensity and disability in active-duty military personnel.

The treatment is effective for treating many types of injuries, including sprains and strains, whiplash, tendonitis, bursitis, rotator cuff injuries, knee conditions, concussions, herniated discs, shin splints, and dislocations.

Chiropractic treatment will ease your pain and get you moving again. Contact us to schedule a convenient appointment.

Sources:

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Effect of Usual Medical Care Plus Chiropractic Care vs Usual Medical Care Alone on Pain and Disability Among US Service Members With Low Back Pain, May 2018

Healthline: Why Scar Tissue Pain Occurs and What You Can Do About It, 3/7/19

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 4/8/10

Chiropractic Economics: The Latest Research on Chiropractic Care for Faster Injury Recovery, 3/6/20

Multicare Health Clinic

3930 Stadium Dr
Sioux City, IA 51106
Phone Number: (712) 276-4325

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Testimonials

  • "My shoulder and neck feel so much better. I now have the knowledge, motivation, desire and tools to keep up the exercises."
    Barb B.
  • "I leave here feeling confident that I have the resources to manage my pain and live normally, and that's priceless."
    Alycen V.
  • "There couldn't be a better physical therapy team in Siouxland! Not only did my knee feel so much better after six weeks, but I feel like I made new friends."
    Karla K.
  • "After an accident at work I didn't think I'd ever get relief from my aching shoulder. But, the doctors at Multicare gave me adjustments and physical therapy and now I feel normal again."
    Cliff C.
  • "I'm now a believer now! I didn't think chiropractic could help my foot problems. But after meeting with Dr. Pistello and Dr. Dave for a few weeks, I'm feeling so much better!"
    Gino G.
  • "Dr. Sneller helped. I haven't been feeling dizzy anymore."
    Belinda B
  • "I'm so glad my sister referred me to Multicare! My elbow hasn't felt this good in a long time. Thanks to the great physical therapy team there."
    Ellen E.
  • "I'm a runner. When I wasn't able to run due to leg problems, I was devastated. But a consultation at Multicare Health Clinic identified the problem and after some adjustments, stimulation treatments and therapy, I'm running again!"
    Lisa L.
  • "My company encouraged all of us employees to get screened at Multicare. I didn't know what to expect. It was easy and I learned so much. The orthotics they prescribed really help me to feel more stable and confident at work."
    Jim J.
  • "Being able to present my back pain to three different professions in one place and knowing that they are working together to make me better is very comforting."
    Charlie P.
  • "Not only is my pain level down to zero, but what I'm really thrilled with, is that I have normal feeling in my hands."
    Jill L.
  • "After my consultatin with the doctors at Multicare Health Clinic, I understand how to address my balance issues."
    Anna A.
  • "At night my right hand would go painfully numb at least 2-3 times where I could not sleep. Now, I don't have that pain and can get a full night sleep."
    Janet D.
  • "I wasn't able to use my hand the way I should. After working with Dr. Sneller and the physical therapy team, I can use my hand again."
    Ivy I.
  • "After my knee surgery I was asked where I wanted to do my physical therapy, I chose Multicare Health Clinic and I'm so glad I did! Dr. Steve and the therapy assistants (Sara and Megan) are fabulous! They know what they're doing and they all really seemed to care about my recovery. I'm feeling fantastic! I'll definitely go back again whenever I need therapy or adjustments."
    Sheri J.
  • "I wasn't able to use my hand the way I should. After working with Dr. Sneller and the physical therapy team, I can use my hand again."
    Henry H.
  • "I now can go a full week without pain and headaches."
    Luke W.