Physical injuries that are relatively benign can often become debilitating if the person suffering from them perceives them to be much more limiting than they actually are. I have witnessed this in two different scenarios. The first involves elite athletes who experience pain or something uncomfortable while going through movement. They become so afraid that they either are already injured, will become injured or make an injury worse that they completely shut down and stop moving all together. Of course if there is a significant injury, they should seek the proper medical attention including assessment, treatment and rehabilitative measures which often does include rest. But what I am talking about here is when an athlete becomes "gun shy" to movement because of the mere thought that they will make themselves worse and/or re-injure themselves. This can manifest as a player who never returns to form even after being cleared from the injury by medical staff.
The second physical injury scenario I see is much more prevalent; this is the case of the every-day person who suffers from an injury and then severely limits their physical activity to avoid it happening again. When you're not a professional athlete, an injury can be costly in both the expense of the treatment and time lost through missing work. The recovery process can be a true burden. It is therefore understandable why someone would want to avoid going through it again at all costs, even if their avoidance is excessive. But the tragedy of this situation is when the injury keeps the person from ever moving again for fear that they will have to go through the same thing all over again. The person would rather not move at all.
With both of these scenarios, whether you are the elite athlete or the weekend warrior, the person has to realize that as long as they received adequate medical care, and were cleared for physical activity, that they can be physically active again. The body does heal. Often times, because of the care received and the new awareness of the body, the person who suffered the injury is actually healthier than they were before the injury. Many times they can actually be stronger! What I would recommend to these people, even while injured is to do something, anything physical that doesn't hurt. For example, someone who has an upper body injury can go to the gym and do cardio. Or, even with a muscular injury, there is always some other muscle that can be trained to improve the area that was impacted...after all, physical therapy uses movement and exercise to rehabilitate and injury. More importantly, after the treatment has been received, and the person is cleared to resume regular activity, that person should remain active.
The third scenario that I see this take place, and is often the hardest to overcome, is when someone has a mental/emotional hang-up. The person is relatively physically healthy, but they allow some preconceived, self-deprecating notion to get them from striving to become healthier. They know exercise is good for them, but they have some thought about themselves that still holds them back. It is in my opinion one of the worst disabilities because of how it creates a very vicious negative spiral. The example I have witnessed more than one time is the person who is overweight, and is reluctant to start going to the gym because of their negative self-image. This person realizes that they need to have a healthy body change, but they are unwilling to do what they need to do to create that change, like getting to the gym. They say that they will not start going to the gym until they "lose some weight first." Usually they say the plan is to watch what they are eating, and then eventually starting a training routine. But that unfortunately doesn't always pan out that way. Again, what would be a better solution is to start doing some physical activity. If getting to the gym is simply too overwhelming emotionally, then they should start by going for a regular bike ride, or taking a walk after meals. The change only comes from change itself. New movement has to start, and be the start of the change.
Whether someone suffers from a physical injury or has an emotional issue keeping them from reaching their fitness goals in the grand scheme of things, it needs to be looked at simply as a set-back or a temporary road block that can be overcome. The situation that you are in is all really just a matter of perspective. There is that cliche, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are right" that attests to this. Ive never really been a great fan of that saying, but I get its point about having a positive attitude about your current situation. However, what I feel to be a bit more factual is that whether you think you are injured, or limited from reaching your fitness goals in some way, you are probably in a place where you can be healthier. A small, simple change that improves your health and puts you on the right track to reaching your fitness goals is all you need to get you going. Reducing your activity, not moving at all, or waiting to become active is most likely the last thing you could do to be healthier. You don't have to over do it, but just do it as they say. Moving is good! Moving is medicine for the body and soul. Sitting idle literally gets you nowhere...especially in regards to your fitness goals. So do what you can, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Because doing what you can is the movement you need today to help you reach a fit new you!
