Rehabilitation of Injury Flashcards
Define rehabilitation
The process of restoring full physical function after an injury has occurred
Explain the 3 stages of rehabilitation
• Early stage - gentle exercise encouraging damaged tissue to heal
• Mid stage - progressive loading of connective tissue and bones to develop strength
• Late stage - functional exercises and drills to ensure the body is ready to return to training
Explain the 3 phases of stretching in rehabilitation
• acute phase - within the first 3 days of an injury no stretching should occur. It will only cause more damage to the injured tissue
• mid phase - after 3 days for up to 2 weeks, heat therapy and gentle static and passive stretching. Should be no bouncing, jerky or forceful movements
• later phase - for a further 2 weeks RoM, strength and coordination are focused on. PNF stretches are added to retain and desensitise the stretch reflex, increase RoM, decrease sensations of pain and strengthen connective tissues
Long term benefits of stretching in rehabilitation
• increase range of motion
• increase strength of connective tissues to a greater degree than when the injury occurred
Define massage therapy
A physical therapy used for injury prevention and soft tissue injury treatment
What do sports massages do?
• move fluid and nutrients through damaged tissue to encourage healing and accelerate the removal of waste products
• stretch tissues, releasing tension and pressure and improving elasticity
• break down scar tissue from previous injuries that can lead to inflexible tissues, injury and pain
• reduce pain and generate heat, circulation and relaxation
Describe cold therapy (cryotherapy)
Applying ice or cold to an injury or after exercise for a therapeutic effect, such as reduced swelling
Describe heat therapy
Applying heat to an area before training for a therapeutic effect, such as increased blood flow
Define contrast therapy
The use of alternate cold and heat for a therapeutic effect, such as increased blood flow
Benefits of cold therapy and how would you use it
• reduce tissue temperature, metabolic rate and speed of nerve impulses
• vasoconstrict blood vessels, decreasing blood flow, inflammation, swelling and pain associated with injury
• mainly used after acute injury for periods up to 20 minutes and reapplied every 1-3 hours
Benefits of heat therapy and how would you use it
• reduces muscle tension, stiffness and pain
• vasodilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow and the healing response to a damaged area
• mainly used on chronic injuries and late stage acute injuries around 48 hours post injury and during rehabilitation, it can also be used before exercise to raise the temperature of superficial muscles
- up to 20 minutes at a time
Benefits of contrast therapy
• increase blood flow and nutrient delivery, and decrease swelling and pain after exercise or in the late stage of injury
Most common approach to contrast therapy:
• immerse the body up to shoulder level post exercise
• to use cold water followed immediately by warm water
• to have a cold:warm ratio of 1:3 or 1:4
• to have an accumulating 6-10 minutes in the cold water
Risks of cold therapy
Tissue and nerve damage if in contact for too long. Skin abrasions if direct contact between ice and skin
Risks to heat therapy
Increased swelling and pain after acute injury
