Logan- I have a suggestion for an article. I’ve been following you for quite a while and dabbled in many of your suggestions to build functional strength as I get older . Especially like the old time strong men articles.
I now face a bigger challenge and would appreciate any insight you can provide. I am 65, was in pretty good shape- do cartwheels, grip strength of about 200#. Then this guy pulled in front of my 1977 bmw motorcycle. Most people don’t survive these things, but God spared me.🤠.
So I flew through the air, landed and saw my forearm bones poking up to the sky. Bottom line both wrists, and left leg broken . But praise God no head of spine damage.
So my question is ..any tips for regaining range of motion and strength following traumatic injuries like these? Broken bones but also trauma to tendons, ligaments and fascia.
Thanks for any insights.
-tom
Sorry to hear about that but great job surviving!
Honestly, I don’t think the process is much different from more minor injuries, it’s just more work and a longer process.
The bones are deeper tissues in the body and take longer to heal then other areas such as the muscles. The various connective tissues are mid-way between these.
The body, being the anti-fragile way that it is, is going to get to work on the healing process.
In one sense, it is best to get out of the way and allow it to happen. (That is to make sure you don’t hinder the process by physically hurting yourself more, as well as throwing up mental and emotional blocks to the healing.)
In another sense, there are many things you can do to support the healing process.
The basics will be to immobilize the area at first in order for the bone to heal in place properly. This is what casts are for, primarily for avoiding more damage.
That’s the key difference between bone injuries and other ones. For the latter, you often want to get moving right away.
Even while down and out, you can visualize moving the area. Some research has shown that doing this can be the different between muscle wasting that normally occurs in a cast, and actually coming out stronger.
In addition to that, isometrics can often times positively be put into action.
You’ll want to supplement with things such as collagen, bone broth, even some bone supporting herbs such as boneset and horsetail too. Load up on all the necessary micronutrients so the body can heal as it needs too.
When the cast is off then you can use topical treatments like Dit Da Jow and more, that can further assist.
And that’s when you begin moving in earnest. Smartly and slowly at first but keeping at it until you have full functionality and even beyond your previous bests.
The best kinds of exercises for this kind of stuff is found in The Indestructible Body which is on sale now.