'Tis the season to be injured, but don't give up

<p>July and August are active months in the North Bay. The weather is warm and bodies used to being inside are suddenly active -- and all too easily injured. It's the season of sprained ankles, broken bones and other sports/play injuries. Most of us are familiar with the first aid for an active injury: RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate). Homeopathic arnica can also decrease the inflammation of an acute injury dramatically.</p><p>But what about the ongoing care of an injury that sidelines you from your normal life for a few weeks or even months? How can you speed your healing and get back to your life as quickly as possible?</p><p>I crushed my left foot last summer. For weeks I was stuck with my foot elevated on pillows, clumsy and slow to do even the simplest of tasks if it involved moving about. Doctors are notorious for being bad patients, but I know I felt the same as anyone who has had this kind of injury. It is what a person feels when they find themselves separated from the pack: You are suddenly different and needy. Normal, healthy, apparently intact people are going about their daily lives, and you are not. You wish the injured hand/foot/arm/leg could be cut off, stored somewhere while it heals and given back when it's ready to work right again.</p><p>Here are some tips to help you get back into the swing of things sooner rather than later:<P></p><p>Do what you can but don't wallow in guilt for being less productive than usual. It takes energy to heal an injury and it takes energy to do things differently for a while. Getting a sandwich, showering, even picking up the paper from the front yard can be exhausting and challenging tasks. You may not have the time or the energy to finish those scrapbooks, write that novel, repair that tool, or any number of jobs that have been waiting for a slow day. Focus on healing.</p><p>Start physical therapy as soon as possible. Do what you must to keep the rest of your body strong while the injured part heals - don't lose your upper body or core strength while your leg is hurt, and don't let your left arm wither or strain just because the right one is broken. A shift in your exercise program can help you maintain strength and keep your stress levels under control. Work with a qualified physical therapist to help you gauge what is safe and helpful, in spite of the pain. Some pain is necessary as we heal, some is not. Get expert help to tell the difference. When you graduate from physical therapy, consider using a personal trainer to get you back to a regular exercise routine, prevent further injuries and keep you motivated.</p><p>Cultivate your sense of humor. When it flags, watch a funny movie, hobble off to a comedy club, or visit some friends who make you laugh. Remember, this painful time is not going to last forever and laughing will definitely speed your recovery.</p><p>Last, but certainly not least, love your injured part. Do not look at the injury as the enemy, the source of frustration and pain. It may not look pretty right now, it may not feel good right now, and it may be keeping you from doing the things you enjoy.</p><p>But resenting it will not help it heal. Treat it well, pamper it and welcome it back to health in any way you can. Resist the temptation to rail against this part of you that had the audacity to break down.</p><p>Of course, the best plan is to avoid injuries altogether. But when they happen in spite of ourselves, we can learn to focus on the healing process. Consult with your physician to make sure you have the correct diagnosis and do not deny your body the time or the attention it needs to become whole again.</p><p>Longtime Sonoma County family physician Dr. Stacey Kerr, a graduate of UC Davis Medical School, is certified in her specialty by the American Board of Family Medicine. Her columns are not intended as a substitute for hands-on medical advice or treatment. Consult your health care provider before adhering to any recommendations in this column. Reader comments can be e-mailed to drkerr@the-doctors-inn.com.</p>