Page 2 - January 2021 BSTTW Community News
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2 BSTTW COMMUNITY NEWS
Burn Survivor Exercise Program begin to get use to what it will take to move
By: Michael Appleman, CEO forward and recover. When you leave the
hospital you will be leaving the support system
Exercise is one of the most important that has helped you reach the goals you are
ways to offer a burn survivor what is currently at. It is very important to meet with
needed in order to regain both his/her your family members in therapy before you
physical and psychological life after leave the hospital. This will help both you and
suffering the initial burn injury. This can your family to begin working together on the
combat future complications and ensure emotional and physical issues that may come
a successful long-term recovery. up at home. A good exercise plan can make
you safe and comfortable during the transition.
You might be asking yourself, will this Most of us already know the basics: 1. You
become a lot of hard work? Yes exercise is should wear pressure garments. 2. Sun
not easy and can be a lot of hard work for protection and Hydration is very important. 3. It
someone who suffered a burn injury. So is important to know how to get and give
many burn survivors feel that this is worth motivation. 4. We need to organize. 5. Finally
the pain and suffering. Depending on when you should always have adequate resources.
you begin your exercise program, depends
on what type of exercise plan you should Most physical therapists suggest that you
begin with. If you had a long hospital and should use slow, steady stretching and
burn unit stay, it might be best for you to strengthening movement patterns like
start off slow. It is important for you to build Yoga, Zumba or bike riding. I suggest that
back you muscle mass and flexibility. you do whatever works for you. Always
Anyone who has used exercise to recover remember to follow up with your medical
knows that scars can make it very difficult team on a regular basis so they can help
and painful to move your joints. Finally you you make any adjustments to your
might suffer from pain, itching and fatigue. program.
All of the above can complicate
psychological challenges that can lead to
depression, self-consciousness, negative Finding The Source of Your Fears
body image and fear of being seen in By: Stan Popovich
public.
A sure way to overcoming your fears and
I would suggest that you speak with your anxieties is in finding the source of your
doctors and possibly go to counseling in fears and being able to manage it. In
order to get control of both the physical dealing with any kinds of fears or anxieties,
and emotional issues. With their help and try to learn what is the real source of your
suggestions regular exercise can become fears and anxieties. Knowing what is
beneficial to a burn survivor. No matter causing your anxieties can go a long way in
what kind exercise you choose it will finding the solution.
hopefully become a natural pain reliever.
With a lot of hard work you will find that A person can find the source of his or her own
feeling less physical pain eases fears by doing some self-evaluation and also by
depression, relieves stress, and opens the talking to a professional. Asking yourself
mind to an acceptance of new possibilities. questions such as: “Why am I afraid” or “What
is causing my anxiety” will lead you in the right
If possible before leaving the hospital you direction in finding the source of your fears.
should speak to a physical therapist about Give it some time and eventually you will find
starting an exercise program. No matter if the answers your looking for.
it is a simple or extensive program you will CONTINUED On Page 3 “FEARS”
