Recovery: The Fight For Life

The human body is a complex machine that has the ability to heal itself from even major trauma, it just needs some time. The body goes through five phases of injury and recovery: alarm, resistance, exhaustion, release and reorganization. The first phase is when your body enters into a state of alarm to protect itself from harm or further injury. This is followed by resistance where it will go into battle with the aggressor as much as possible with limited resources. Next up is exhaustion which occurs when all your energy has been depleted-this can take place over a few days or happen very quickly. When you are finally released from this state, you'll enter the last stage which includes repairing tissue and other important processes that might have been neglected during the previous stages due to lack of energy.

The Human Body is Equipped for Healing

The human body is equipped for healing, even in the face of trauma. It is especially equipped for self-repair and healing after extreme injury or trauma, but only if the body has the time it needs to achieve that goal. The body specializes in self-healing because it is a survival mechanism. If the human body didn't do this, we would be extinct by now. The body doesn't care if you're an Olympian or a couch potato; every single one of us can reach our potential and surpass what we think we are capable of doing when given the opportunity.

While a bruise is the most common injury that nearly everyone experiences, not all injuries are visible. More and more people are experiencing chronic injuries without even knowing it because they don't stop to think about the actual damage being done to their bodies. With this in mind, here are five reasons you should know about traumatic injuries and recovery.

Injuries Are Your Body's Way of Self Protection

While it may seem like the opposite, when you are injured it is actually your body's way of protecting itself. This happens because being injured causes you to slow down and allows your body to heal from this stressor. It also allows tissues that might otherwise be damaged or worn out due to overuse to repair themselves.

How Your Body Handles Traumatic Injuries and Stress

When you are injured, the autonomic nervous system becomes hyperactive and releases more adrenaline. This is in part why you feel so many mixed emotions when a traumatic event occurs. Your body doesn't know how to handle what just happened because it's never encountered anything like that before. You might also experience an increased heart rate, with decreased blood pressure. The fight or flight response is actually a natural response to danger, designed to keep us safe by allowing us to react quickly.

That's why, in the event of an emergency or injury, it can be beneficial to take deep breathes and try to relax. You might even consider indulging in some distraction activities like meditating or reading a book to take your mind off of what just happened. Learning about how the body processes traumatic events and injuries helps you understand why you are feeling so many different emotions when something traumatizing occurs, helping you better deal with them in a constructive way.

Five Phases of Injury and Recovery: Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion, Release and Reorganization

Part of the human body's natural healing abilities include five phases: alarm, resistance, exhaustion, release and reorganization. The first phase is when your body enters into a state of alarm to protect itself from harm or further injury. This is followed by resistance where it will go into battle with the aggressor as much as possible with limited resources.

Next up is exhaustion which occurs when all your energy has been depleted-this can take place over a few days or happen very quickly. When you are finally released from this state, you'll enter the last stage which includes repairing tissue and other important processes that might have been neglected during the previous stages due to lack of energy. At this point your body is working to repair what was damaged and is geared up for the next encounter with a threat or danger. If you are injured, it's important to remember that this process might not seem linear, but will follow this pattern if left alone.

Once your body enters into this process, it is important to acknowledge that the healing process takes time and shouldn't be rushed. While a bruise is the most common injury that nearly everyone experiences, not all injuries are visible. More and more people are experiencing chronic injuries without even knowing it because they don't stop to think about the actual damage being done to their bodies.

As with most things in life, a little knowledge can go a long way at helping you understand your body and how it processes trauma. If you are injured or know someone who has been, try not to panic but rather remain calm as that actually helps the healing process.

Here's How You Can Heal Yourself from Your Injuries

It is important to understand that overuse does not just mean physical use but also mental and emotional. It's important to remember that even though you will be feeling better physically, there are other factors that need attention as well. This is where the idea of self-help comes in; if you take the time to care for yourself after an injury, make sure to have someone there for you.

Just because your injury hasn't been physical doesn't mean it's any easier to deal with than a physical one. Having self-control and learning how to relax will be of great help when dealing with something like this. Try not to avoid the issue at hand or just pretend that it isn't happening, instead face it head on and take time to recover. Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends or family if you need something done around the house, or have them go with you when you are visiting your doctor.

You're Not Alone When Injured - Get Help

If you find yourself dealing with a chronic injury, whether visible or not, you're not alone. It's important to look at the various options that are available to help you deal with these injuries and how they affect your everyday lives. There are many natural treatments that can be done at home such as massages, heat therapy or stretching to name a few. If you find yourself in chronic pain it might be worth looking into acupuncture. Acupuncture has been proven to increase blood flow and reduce pain for those who have chronic injuries.

For physical injuries, a doctor should always be consulted as it's important to make sure that you're being treated by the right people. When you do find the help that is necessary, it will be easier for you to deal with your injury and find some healthier coping mechanisms.

Are You Ready To Get Back Into Action?

If you're dealing with a physical injury, make sure that you are prepared to get back into action. It's understandable if you don't want to rush things but it's also important to acknowledge that the faster you do this , the better. If you have been experiencing chronic pain or symptoms that are bothering you, it's time to look into finding a doctor and getting some relief from these ailments. Need some support? Give us a call at (830) 992-3042.