Repair Process/Recovery time
All too often people ask, “How long will it take to get better?” The answer to that question varies from person to person. There are several factors that determine the rate of recovery. A short list (not comprehensive) determining rates of recovery are as follows:
- Stress (emotional, chemical, thermal, or physical)
- Genetics
- Core strength and overall fitness levels
- Diet/use of nutrients to give the body building blocks for repair and avoiding pro-inflammatory foods
- Severity and chronicity of the condition
- Rest
- Activity/occupational activities
- Re-occurance of the problem
- Use of ice
When tissues are injured, swelling occurs for at least 72 hours. Swelling leads to scar deposition or formation over the course of two weeks. (Think scab formation…) After scar deposition occurs, the scar consolidates or sets up. This takes 9-12 weeks. (Think scab hardening…) Then, the scar remodels or reshapes itself over the course of a year. The fibers of the scar remodel themselves along the lines of stress. This tissue will be 80% as strong and pliable as the old tissue. But over time, the scar contracts making the tissues stiffer and tighter.
So to answer that question of “How soon do I get better?”, the answer is, “It depends.” If the tissue involved is acutely involved, the recovery times are shorter and can generally be measured in days or weeks. If the problem has been chronic, the answer can be weeks or months. ….and all of this depends on the factors mentioned above.
