How Deep Relaxation Affects Your Rehabilitation

In rehabilitation, the athlete learns stress management techniques and reinforces lifestyle buffers. It is also necessary that he learns to share control of the rehabilitation process with the athletic trainer and take responsibility for his health and healing. (Hedgepath & Sowa, 1998). Other benefits of implementing stress and anxiety management include decreased pain, lessening the reoccurrence of an injury, increasing the adherence of rehabilitation, enhancing physical healing, improved coping with the stress of the injury, and enhanced mental readiness to return to full participation (Ray & Wiese-Bjornstal, 1998).

Psychological strategies that can be implemented to achieve a positive outcome include visual rehearsal, emotive rehearsal, body rehearsal, thought stoppage, and mental practice (Niggemeyer, 2006). Effective methods to decrease stress and elicit coping techniques include social support, relaxation techniques, imagery, thought stoppage, modeling, behavior-rehearsal, coping with frustration, and establishing a positive environment (Ray and Wiese- Bjornstal, 1998). Other techniques include imagery, relaxation modeling, goal setting, positive self-talk, pain management, education, stress management, and cognitive reconstruction (Bloom & et al, 2004). Athletes who report high stress related to life events are more likely to sustain injury (Ray & Wiese-Bjornstal, 1998).

An athlete needs to find the technique that meets his needs and one which he feels comfortable executing. These strategies are useful for athletes to prepare for an event, to overcome the anxiety and fear associated with injuries and the rehabilitative process, and to deal with stress. Stress and anxiety experienced during the rehabilitative phase can be inhibiting and can affect the adherence to the healing process. Athletes should also establish a rapport with their athletic trainers and support systems, helping them adhere to the rehabilitative process. If injury occurs, the athlete’s support system also can alleviate the grieving process. Support systems can educate and help implement intervention strategies and psychological rehabilitation techniques.