What a Thanksgiving football game reminded me about family, fun, and recovering after life's unexpected hits. Contact our Torrance CA chiropractic clinic today to learn more.

This past Thursday, my boys and I found ourselves playing in a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl. It was completely spur-of-the-moment, but it turned out to be an hour of pure fun and nostalgia. I had almost forgotten how much I enjoy playing football.

Ironically, the other dad and son who played with us also coached flag football with me at our church. Afterward, we realized how much we'd missed being in the game ourselves instead of just calling plays from the sidelines.

You'd think we'd take it easy, but something about being out there flips a switch. Suddenly, you're sprinting, diving for flags, and going all out like it's the Super Bowl. Of course, this also means risking injury. Thankfully, I didn't pull a groin or break a leg, but I did sprain a finger. By the end of the game, I could barely move my hand-a scary thought for someone who feeds his family by using his hands every day!

With my wife's gentle "encouragement," I went into the office to work on my hand using technology that promotes healing and speeds up recovery. While it was still sore during Thanksgiving dinner, by the next day it was about 70% better. After another session this morning, it's now about 90%.

This experience reminded me of something I always tell my patients: how you care for an injury in the first hours and days makes all the difference in your recovery.

So, what are some things you can do on your own to help speed up your recovery the next time you injure yourself?

Here are five things you should implement immediately if you would like to see a faster recovery:

1. Reduce Inflammation: Start with cold therapy or other ways to manage swelling and pain during the first 24-48 hours. Keep inflammation in check, but avoid overusing anti-inflammatory medications, as they can sometimes slow down healing.
2. Keep Moving (Within Reason): Gentle, pain-free movement is key to keeping blood flowing and preventing stiffness. While rest is important, staying completely still for too long can actually delay your recovery.
3. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is crucial for helping your body repair itself. Hydration supports the cells and tissues that are working hard to rebuild after an injury.
4. Eat Healthy: What you eat can make a big difference. Focus on foods that fight inflammation, like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Try to limit processed sugars and unhealthy fats, which can interfere with healing (though easier said than done on Thanksgiving!).
5. Work on Scar Tissue Early: Don't wait too long to address scar tissue. Gentle stretching, massage, or specific therapies can help break it up and keep the area functioning well.

By taking these steps, you can recover faster and avoid complications down the road. Whether it's a sprained finger from a Turkey Bowl or something more serious, the right care can make all the difference.

I hope that as you gracefully age over time, you can stay active, heal effectively, and create great memories with loved ones-no matter how crazy the game gets!

Have a great weekend,

Dr. Derek "Injury Prone" Taylor