While you know it is important to rest and let your injured extremity heal, there comes a point when you can go back to your normal fitness routine. But how do you know you’re ready? Here are some things a doctor will look for when determining if now is the right time.

You Have Full Range of Motion

One of the first signs that it is time to get back to your workouts is when you have full range of motion of the injured extremity. Perhaps you injured your shoulder, and you can now move it around like you were able to before; this is a really good sign. There are times when you are starting to get some range of motion, but not fully, so this is when you can exercise but still want to be a little more careful. If you keep stretching the area, you should get that range of motion back eventually. Continue reading →

Following an injury, most medical professionals will recommend following the R.I.C.E. guidelines. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, and helps your body part to heal so that you can get back to your normal workouts.

What Does R.I.C.E. Entail?

As you know, R.I.C.E. stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. These are the basic components of first aid when you have a sprain, strain, or other similar injury. Here is a breakdown of each part of the RICE treatment plan:

Rest – You first want to make sure you get plenty of rest following an injury. Don’t put weight on a foot if you just sprained your ankle, and be careful about lifting heavy objects if you just threw out your back. Getting rest is one of the most important treatments for an injury. Continue reading →