Recently hurt need advice

[Kur]

I was recently hurt in a car accident and tore a muscle in my thigh. My doctor says I should be cleared to go back to work and continue to work out Wednesday. My question is I don't wanna injure myself anymore by going back into my usual workout.

My usual workout would be on an elliptical machine for 3.5 miles at 10-12 resistance and then I do free weights at home and was going to start doing bench presses last week but I'm thinking I should hold off. I also run at 3AM for about 20 minutes (I est 1 mile) I work third shift so go during my lunch.

Should I just lower the amount I'm on the elliptical or should I switch to a treadmill and walk for a week or 2. I'm just a little lost on how to approach this so I don't further injure myself.

Thanks!

 

[silverpig]

The elliptical is probably better than the treadmill as it's low impact. Just dial it down in resistance and if it hurts, stop.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Kur
I was recently hurt in a car accident and tore a muscle in my thigh. My doctor says I should be cleared to go back to work and continue to work out Wednesday. My question is I don't wanna injure myself anymore by going back into my usual workout.

My usual workout would be on an elliptical machine for 3.5 miles at 10-12 resistance and then I do free weights at home and was going to start doing bench presses last week but I'm thinking I should hold off. I also run at 3AM for about 20 minutes (I est 1 mile) I work third shift so go during my lunch.

Should I just lower the amount I'm on the elliptical or should I switch to a treadmill and walk for a week or 2. I'm just a little lost on how to approach this so I don't further injure myself.

Thanks!

Well, it depends on 1) your preference, 2) how each movement feels. You're not going to go back to the elliptical machine at 3.5 miles at 10-12 resistance. Lower the resistance significantly if you wanna still do the elliptical. However, if the leg bothers you while walking, it might be more beneficial for you to actually get some walking time in on the treadmill. You need to listen to your body and be a bit cautious, but you can do whatever you think feels better (works it a little bit, but not TOO much to set you back).

 

[Kur]

About how long is a recovery peroid then? 1-2 weeks?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Kur
About how long is a recovery peroid then? 1-2 weeks?

Rehabbing a torn muscle? Often times, a severe injury like that will take much longer than 1-2 weeks. However, you make the increases in difficulty based on how you feel. Don't set a time period goal, but rather how-it-feels and performance level goals. Be patient - you've been through a significant injury. I've seen people with torn muscles go through 6-8+ weeks of therapy to get to where they needed to be to resume their previous level of activity. Don't worry about the time though. Focus on performance and how you feel. I have to repeat that because I know that at some point you (like many others with injuries) will harp on the time it takes to get better. If you have questions, PM me. Best of luck.