The one consistent question asked by every injured player through the doors at the clinic is “How long until I’m back playing?”  The answer is often based on several considerations, the most important obviously being the severity and nature of the injury.  There usually follows an attempt at “bartering” by the athlete, trying to squeeze a few days or weeks earlier than first prognosticated.  I then explain this isn’t some beach in Mexico and we’re talking about more than just some hand made trinket.

 As injuries progress through the healing process, you must remember that if you try to speed this process up, you usually slow it down.  There are certain goals that must be attained at each stage of the healing process prior to moving on to the next stage.  This progression through the stages should be monitored and guided by your health care professional.  

 The final stages of the rehab process for the soccer player should include exercises and drills specific to the game of soccer, the injured area and the individual player.  By slowly reintegrating the player into a practice setting prior to a game, you allow the injured area to adapt to the stresses of playing and the entire body to regain it’s pre-injury status, physically and mentally.  In fact, if done well, the player will often come back better than ever. The rule in rehab is if it’s not done right, it’s done often!