An injury can damper your day-to-day schedule. Some injuries may prevent you from working. A severe injury can even impact your social life, requiring you to refrain from your favorite hobbies. We have compiled a list of ways to help speed up your recovery following an injury, so you can return to doing what you love.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Following an injury, one of the most important things to do is follow your doctor’s orders. Your doctor understands your condition and will provide you with a treatment plan. Depending on the extent of the injury, this plan may include ample rest, physical therapy, or even medical intervention. You may need to schedule doctor rechecks regularly so they can monitor your recovery. You shouldn’t return to work until cleared to do so by your doctor. In the meantime, make sure you file all the necessary time off paperwork with your employer.
Rest and Recover
Rest is an important part of recovery. Give yourself ample time to rest after an injury. This may mean outsourcing household and yard tasks. It may also mean avoiding exercise for a few weeks until your doctor agrees it’s safe to move again. Ask a trusted family member or friend to assist with childcare duties if possible. In addition to rest, try to get as much sleep as possible. Incorporate a healthy diet while resting to help promote faster recovery.
Consider Physical Therapy
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy. If they do, you should follow the recovery plan set in place by your physical therapist. This may mean multiple visits per week for at least a few months. Eventually, you can reduce the frequency with which you attend physical therapy.
Another benefit of physical therapy is the opportunity to learn injury prevention strategies. By strengthening surrounding muscles, you can help to avoid another injury. You can work with your physical therapist on learning new stretching strategies that are specific to your injury for faster recovery.
Take Advantage of Any Disability Benefits
Many people return to work earlier than they should to ensure they continue receiving a paycheck. If you experience an injury and cannot work for a long period, you may be entitled to disability benefits. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) regulates work-sponsored employee benefits, including disability. While some injuries may be covered under workers’ compensation, others may fit into ERISA benefits. The biggest difference is that workers’ compensation is designed for employees injured while on the job. ERISA may cover employees under disability benefits even if they weren’t injured during work.
ERISA may apply to both short and long-term disabilities. Understanding the program’s eligibility and requirements can be difficult, meaning it’s usually a good idea to talk with an ERISA disability lawyer if you have questions. The plan aims to protect employees from corporate abuse and misconduct. Keep in mind that you may also be subject to state disability laws. Ohio state laws also protect Toledo and the surrounding city’s employees with disabilities.
If you’re injured and unable to work, timely payment is a priority. ERISA laws also require eligible beneficiaries to receive benefits within 45 days of application submission. Laws do allow the insurance company to take a few 30-day extensions. Even if denied, you have a right to appeal.
Don’t Forget About Your Psychological Health
Maintaining your psychological health is just as important to your recovery. Keeping a positive mindset and staying social can help speed up your recovery. Sometimes, working with a lawyer to ensure you get the benefits you need can help relieve some of the psychological stress that comes with an injury. Finding a new hobby that you can participate in, even with an injury, can also help you maintain a positive mindset.
Some people may also find benefits in setting goals. Work with your physical therapist to set realistic goals to work toward. Be aware of signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is possible following an accident, and talk with a professional if you find it difficult to overcome. Take up family and friends’ offers for help when needed.
Suffering an injury can quickly change your day to day. Instead of going to work, your day is filled with doctors and physical therapist appointments. You may have to skip golfing with friends or your daily exercise routine. With ample rest, a focus on your psychological well-being, and access to the disability benefits you deserve, you may be able to speed up your recovery and return to your normal life sooner.
