Dealing with Injury: Physically and Mentally

One of the most unfortunate experiences of life is dealing with an injury. We have all undergone the process of getting an injury, dealing with it, and then recovering from it. However, sometimes the pain refuses to back down, which leaves us feeling broken, strained, and weak. Along with physical pain, an injury is detrimental to our mental state. It makes us feel frustrated, upset, anxious and subdued.

Last year, I was forced to deal with pain in my left knee and upper back. I had problems bending and straightening my knee, along with overall stiffness, and a contusion that made me unable to walk for two days. My knee pain also negatively impacted my mental state. Because I had been so invested in soccer, running became something of a thrill and exhilaration for me.

However, ever since my knee became a problem, the thing I once loved to do slowly turned into something I detested. With my upper back, I had a problem of sharp pain occurring whenever I contracted my back muscles, turned over in my sleep, or any collision/contact to my back. I remember feeling particularly frustrated by this because it seemed impossible to fix. It took months and months of exercises, stretching, and dry needling before the problem subsided. The only thing that helped me recover physically from my knee and back pain was time, and taking a break from my usual physical activities that aggravated the pain. What helped me to overcome my feelings of frustration and angst was also time, but also accepting that sometimes, life is unfair and you have to live with that.

For those of you currently suffering from an injury, understand that dealing with pain is part of being human. Take the necessary measures to help relieve the pain so that you can recover faster. You will feel frustrated and subdued, therefore, it’s important that you find a way to channel your emotions into something like journaling what you’re feeling, talking to a friend or trusted adult, or punching your pillow (unless you hurt your hand, arm, shoulder, etc., just do whatever works for you. Also, know that a lot of pain that we are dealing with…. Are only thoughts.