Athletes are constantly putting so much stress on their bodies, which is why recovery/rehab is so important! For those of you who went to Nationals or have played in National Qualifiers you know just how draining 3-4 days of volleyball can be.
Playing on those hard surfaces (like sport court laid on top of concrete) can cause a lot of damage because so much force is absorbed by your knees, ankles, and spine.
So to keep my body healthy here are a few things I do right after a long day of matches:
- Rest (allows muscle tissue to repair and prevents injures related to overuse)
- Ice Bath (reduces inflammation and boosts blood circulation)
- TENS Unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, sends electrical pulses to your muscles and naturally alleviates pain)
- Stretching (reduces risk of injury and prevents muscle stiffness)
- Cupping (promotes blood flow to inflamed/painful areas, relaxes muscles)
- Hydration (drinking lots of water removes lactic acid and improves cognitive performance)