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Rehab
Why do people need rehab? It's a good question, but it's something everyone should consider if they have had an illness, an injury, or surgery. While the tendency is to just get on with normal life as quickly as possible, rehab can ensure that you return to full functioning.
The word rehab comes from the Latin "habilitas," which means to make able, and while that gives an idea of what's involved, it doesn't tell the full story. Rehab is not just concerned with making you 'able', it is about helping a person return to the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible.
The key term here is "highest level of function" - for athletes who have been injured that is a key goal, but one that many people fall far short of following an injury.
A typical pattern is that you get an injury - say a sprained ankle. For a few days you take it easy, maybe wrap it up or use ice. As soon as it starts to feel a bit better you simply ease back into your regular activities - an easy run, a game of tennis, some five-a-side.
The problem is that the healing process takes longer than most of us realise. Even after we begin to use the injured area again, there is still damage to be repaired, and the area can have limited functioning. By returning too quickly we allow scar tissue to form.
The end result is that although you have returned to something like normal use, the joint is not as healthy as it was before the injury. Typically it is weaker and has less mobility - in other words, it's a re-injury waiting to happen.
Following a proper program designed by a trained professional - say a physical therapist - will ensure that you return from injury stronger than ever.
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