Coaching the Mental and Emotional Side of ACL Rehab
If you’re an athlete or an active person over the age of 30, you’ve had enough years to understand that life is a series of ups and downs, and to explore different activities that bring you happiness and a sense of fulfillment. But for a dedicated teenage competitor, a serious injury such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear can be devastating because their identity, sense of self-value, and dreams about their future are often tied to success in a given sport. And, the younger they are, the harder it is
Preventing the ACL Injury Epidemic
In recent years, we have seen a steady increase in the number of ACL injuries, particularly in young female athletes. Why is this happening and how can we prevent it? There are a multitude of possible reason for it, but the good news is that it is preventable. Much of the cause is due to the increased participation in sports over the past 30 years, and particularly the increased participation in women’s sports. Women are naturally prone to suffering ACL injuries because of a series of anatomical factors working against
Mindset Matters – Three Tips for Working Through Tough Times in Injury Rehab
I sincerely believe people can achieve almost anything that they put their mind to. And often the hardest part of the process is just that—putting your mind to it. When struggling with a goal, we all talk to ourselves in our heads, and often those voices are negative: ‘You can’t even balance on one foot for 10 seconds.” “You can’t walk two miles without pain.” “Your left shoulder isn’t nearly as strong as your right.” You will have ups and downs while rehabbing from an injury or surgery, and mental strength will help you to