mental health<\/a> issues that can come with sports injuries<\/p>\nIt\u2019s OK to struggle<\/h2>\n
A main message: Injuries are a very real possibility when you\u2019re involved in sports. Though recovery times can vary widely, most often you\u2019re going to heal up and be able to get back out there<\/p>\n
\u201cI always tell the athletes I work with that\u2019s it\u2019s OK to struggle with your injury,\u201d Dr. Combs said. \u201cIf you pour so much effort, time and money into doing something, you\u2019re going to have big feelings about it. It\u2019s normal and it\u2019s natural.\u201d<\/p>\n
Communication is a key part of navigating the time away from competing. Communication is also vital in summoning motivation for rehab and recovery. Understanding the \u201cwhy?\u201d part of time on the sidelines, however unpleasant it can seem, is necessary and in an athlete\u2019s best interest<\/p>\n
\u201cExpectations become very important,\u201d Dr. Combs said. \u201cIf I take my injury seriously, but stay optimistic, things are going to go a lot better for me. Sometimes people are in denial, which can lead to a negative outcome. If I say, \u2018Oh, it\u2019s not that bad. I don\u2019t need that brace. I can get through this game,\u2019 then they might be risking long-term complications. We are always going to give an injury the respect and the care it needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Explain the circumstances<\/h2>\n
Athletes are more likely to follow recovery plans when they understand how those plans help them return to sports safely<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s especially true of younger kids,\u201d Dr. Combs said. \u201cCommunication can be powerful in explaining to them why we are doing what we\u2019re doing. It might be something like, \u2018I know you don\u2019t think this boot is necessary, but here\u2019s why I\u2019m telling you it is.\u2019 We can approach it from a holistic self-care standpoint and make sure we communicate to young athletes that it\u2019s not a punishment. It\u2019s about taking care of you so you can keep playing sports.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Combs frames it as one might talk about a car. If you don\u2019t put gas in the tank \u2013 or in this case, grant yourself necessary healing time \u2013 you\u2019re not going to go very far<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to give your body what it needs and sometimes what it needs is rest,\u201d she said. \u201cWe try to normalize that injuries come with the territory, while at the same time helping them understand that their body is a re<\/p>\n
Watching the pros<\/h2>\n
Professionals play an inspirational role in the lives of young athletes. It can be a great omes to injuries, the best of the best can sometimes serve as an unrealistic example of how long it will take to return to action<\/p>\n
Dr. Combs will often counsel athletes coming back from a torn ACL who have read about well known athletes who have made it back in nine months or less. When their own recovery lags behind that pace, they get frustrated and start wondering what is wrong<\/p>\n
In most cases, nothing is wrong<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re a pro athlete and you rehab every day for eight hours and you have every reest of us,\u201d Dr. Combs said. \u201cIt can be different if you have a job or you\u2019re going to school. It\u2019s OK to feel your feelings in those circumstances. You\u2019re allowed to be mad. You\u2019re allowed to be sad. You\u2019re allowed to cry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Incorporating teamwork<\/h2>\n
Overcoming frustration is more difficult when an athlete senses coaches or teammates think they\u2019re \u201cdogging\u201d it. Or, if an athlete feels teammates and coaches have moved on without them<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a lot of athletes who feel like, \u2018My teammates think I\u2019m weak because I\u2019m still not over this,\u2019\u201d Dr. Combs said. \u201cThere are coaches who have almost a punishing attitude when someone is injured. It\u2019s like, \u2018Well, now that they\u2019re out, it\u2019s going to ruin my plan for this game.\u2019 That\u2019s instead of remembering that these athletes are human beings. They are more than the roster spot they have on this team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Injured athletes who make efforts to stay involved with their teams do better psychologically, Dr. Combs said. That doesn\u2019t mean they need to attend every practice and constantly remind themselves that they can\u2019t participate \u2013 that may make things more difficult \u2013 but there are still ways to stay in the game, so to speak<\/p>\n
\u201cJust try to make it to team activities. Do your best to continue to bond with your teammates,\u201d Dr. Combs said. \u201cIf you\u2019re the teammate of injured athletes, make sure you invite them to activities like fundraisers and dinners. Do whatever you can to help them feel like part of the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Help is there if you need it<\/h2>\n
It\u2019s important to remember that Sanford Health providers like Dr. Combs are available for conversations<\/p>\n
\u201cSports psychology has improved significantly,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s considered more normal and recognized. At Sanford, it has uniquely positioned us from a research standpoint and from a cultural standpoint in the ways we integrate mental health into our approach to sports.\u201d<\/p>\n
As examples, Dr. Combs counseled an athlete who was ready to quit their sport due to fears surrounding their injury. In another case, she helped an athlete come to terms with a permanent injury and adapt how they compete<\/p>\n
Both athletes\u2019 conversations with Dr. Combs led to a better attitude about the unique challenges coming their way<\/p>\n
\u201cIn both cases, we had to do things differently, but different doesn\u2019t always mean bad,\u201d Dr. Combs said. \u201cWe have to ask, \u2018How can we work with this instead of letting it become the thing that defines us?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Combs encourages parents, coaches and caregivers to seek out information on ways of helping injured athletes. In her words, \u201cMeet them where they\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Injuries in sports are unavoidable, but communication and understanding can be effective tools in returning to full speed<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s best to think about it as part of a process,\u201d Dr. Combs said. \u201cIf you\u2019re an athlete, you have to be thinking you\u2019re just going to have to do things differently for awhile, and then you can get back to all the things you love about sports.\u201d<\/p>\n
Where to find mental performance support<\/h2>\n
Athletes and coaches at every level can benefit from developing and maintaining a strong mental approach to their sport. It can start with contacting your Sanford provider or seeking out mental health support. All training programs from Sanford Sports offer mental performance support to keep athletes at the top of their game<\/p>\n
Learn more<\/h2>\n\n- Gymnast competes again with help from sports psychologist<\/li>\n
- NFL prospect overcomes mental health issues on path to pros<\/li>\n
- Neuropsychologist plays vital role in concussion recovery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Posted In
\n Behavioral Health, Brain & Spine, Sanford Sports, Sioux Falls, Sports Medicine<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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