When it comes to recovering from a significant injury, most people think about physical therapy, rest, and pain management - but what about the mental side of things? Traditionally, injury rehabilitation had focused almost entirely on physical recovery, however, recent research shows that integrating mental health strategies into rehab leads to better outcomes, faster healing, and even personal growth.
Insights from an article by Brooks, Bradstreet, and Partridge (2022) "Current concepts and practical applications for recovery, growth, and peak performance following significant athletic injury" published in Frontiers in Psychology emphasis the need for a holistic approach to injury recovery. Their research highlights the importance of integrating psychological strategies into rehabilitation, noting that addressing both the mental and physical aspects of recovery significantly improves outcomes for injured athletes. This blog explores the concepts and practical applications highlighted in their article to help individuals and healthcare professionals optimise the rehabilitation process.
Let’s dive into how the approaches they discuss are changing the game for injury recovery.
Beyond the Physical: The Role of Psychology in Injury Recovery
Historically, sports medicine primarily addressed the physical aspects of injury, often neglecting the psychological toll it took on athletes. But injuries don’t just affect muscles and bones—they also impact confidence, motivation, and mental well-being. Studies have shown that injured athletes frequently experience anxiety, depression, isolation and even identity crises as they navigate the road to recovery.
A more holistic approach to rehabilitation recognises that the mind and body are deeply connected. By incorporating psychological strategies, athletes can manage stress, stay motivated, and return to their sport stronger than before.
Additionally, social support systems play a crucial role in recovery - the encouragement of teammates, coaches, family, friends and peers can provide emotional stability, reinforce adherence to rehabilitation programs, and help athletes regain confidence in their abilities.
The Science Behind Psychological Recovery
Experts have developed different models to explain how athletes mentally process injuries and how they can leverage this period for growth. Brooks, Bradstreet, and Partridge highlight two:
1. The Integrated Sport Injury Model (ISI)
This model helps us understand how an athlete’s response to injury is shaped by their personality, environment, and mental state. It emphasises that an athlete’s thoughts about their injury influences their emotions and behaviours. If they can maintain a positive mindset, they are more likely to adhere to rehab programs and recover successfully.
2. Sport Injury Related Growth (SIRG)
Rather than seeing injury as just a setback, this approach views it as an opportunity for personal development. Many athletes come out of the rehab process mentally tougher, more self-aware, and better at managing challenges both on and off the field. A strong social support system is essential here, as having trusted individuals to lean on can provide the reassurance and motivation needed to persevere through tough times.
Practical Applications: How Mental Strategies Enhance Recovery
For those recovering from an injury, integrating mental health strategies into rehabilitation can make a huge difference. Here are some proven techniques referenced in the article:
1. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
This method uses mindfulness and meditation to help athletes manage stress, reduce pain, and stay focused on the present moment. Research shows that athletes who practice mindfulness have increased pain tolerance and lower levels of distress during rehab.
2. Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)
ACT encourages athletes to accept difficult emotions rather than fight them. It helps them stay committed to their rehabilitation goals while keeping their long-term values in mind. This approach fosters resilience and prevents frustration from derailing progress.
3. Motivational Enhancement Training (MET)
Motivation can be a major challenge during long recovery periods. MET helps athletes stay engaged by reinforcing their intrinsic drive and building confidence in their ability to heal. A supportive social network is vital in reinforcing these motivational strategies, as positive reinforcement from peers can be a driving force in maintaining rehabilitation adherence.
Building a Better Rehab Environment
To truly optimise injury recovery, healthcare providers and technology solutions need to create an integrated rehabilitation setting where physical and psychological health are equally prioritised. Here’s how this can be done:
Incorporate mental health support: Having an approach that focuses on both the physical and mental health challenges that are encountered ensures athletes receive the support they need throughout the process.
Educate athletes and support systems: Encouraging athletes, coaches, teammates, and family members to be aware of the psychological side of injury fosters a more positive recovery environment that better supports the individual.
Strengthen social support networks: Developing a strong support system helps athletes stay emotionally grounded, boosts morale, and provides accountability throughout the rehabilitation process.
The Future of Injury Rehabilitation
As more sports organisations recognise the importance of mental health and wellbeing, we are seeing a shift toward a more integrated, holistic approach to rehabilitation. By combining physical therapy with mental skills training, athletes can recover faster, grow personally, and even come back stronger than before.
For those going through an injury, this means embracing recovery as more than just a physical process—it’s an opportunity to develop resilience, mental toughness, and a renewed sense of purpose. At Brace, our goal is to not only support individuals through this physical and mental recovery journey, but to create a rehabilitation environment that allows them to thrive.
Injury may be an inevitable part of sports, but with the right approach, recovery can be an opportunity for transformation.
Thank you to Toby J. Brooks, Tyler C. Bradstreet, and Julie A. Partridge for their fantastic article which has been distilled in this blog post (Brooks TJ, Bradstreet TC and Partridge JA (2022) Current concepts and practical applications for recovery, growth, and peak performance following significant athletic injury. Front. Psychol. 13:929487.doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.929487)
Want more advice for the rehabilitation process? Click here to read our blog from Katie, a registered dietician and nutrition sports coach, on "Nutritional Advice for Recovery"!
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