When the body is injured, there are several phases that the body must go through in order to repair itself. In some situations, this can take several months to years. But when the body is given the right tools, it can achieve amazing things. Here’s how healing occurs in 4 simple steps.
1. Acute / Inflammatory Stage – The inflammatory phase begins immediately following your injury and is characterized by swelling, redness and pain. This phase can last between 48 and 72 hours. Your body is dissolving blood elements and tissue debris. Frequently, pain leads to muscle spasms, creating a pain spasm loop.
2. Post Acute Reparative Stage – At this stage your body is laying down fibrin, collagen and fibroblasts to begin repairing the area. There is some redness, tenderness and a decrease in circulation and flexibility. It is during this time that your body is doing all it can to protect the affected area. This sense of guarding can echo into your mental state as well. During this phase, many people tend to hole up in their homes to heal in private. The Post Acute Reparative Stage starts at 48 hours and can last up to 6 weeks.
3. Remodeling / Rehabilitation Stage – In this phase, which can last 3 weeks up to 12 months, the body may have fibrous deposits, scar tissue and chronic inflammation occurring. To remodel is to grow by rapid production and that is exactly what your body is going through during this stage. The visible signs of inflammation will subside and new tissue will form. This new tissue is fragile and can be susceptible to injury.
It is during this phase that people feel like their mind is ready for them to be better, but their body is lagging behind. Frequently, lingering bruises and limited range of motion can bring about a sense of depression. The fear that tends to arise during this phase of healing can cause people to guard the area even further. You may be scared to move too much and this anxiety can cause you to lock down and stay still in order to protect yourself. This fragile new tissue, however, is susceptible to more than just injury. It is also susceptible to stagnation and restricting movement can form adhesions. These adhesions can limit range of motion even further, when movement is eventually reintroduced. So appropriate mobilization of the tissue during this stage is important.
4. Chronic / Restorative Stage – This phase can continue for a period of several months to several years. It is during this stage that there is no pain but the tissues do not function normally. There is frequently stiffness, muscle tightness, some aching and weakness.
Your mind may continue to receive confusing messages from your body based on the memory of the trauma. Even when the body has fully healed, the alarm in your brain may still be turned on, and your body can continue working to heal the area of trauma. It is during this stage that these tissues may become stuck. For instance, your pain goes away, but you can be left with persisting symptoms that limit your range of motion and aggravate your mental well-being. This is when many people question when, or even if, they will ever be “back to normal.”
The answer to that question has a caveat though. Your body is different now. Your skin, muscles and sometimes even your bones are all in new places, in positions they have never been before. Because of this, “back to normal” really translates into “discovering your NEW normal.” Remodeling can be difficult to push through, but much like the final few miles of a marathon, your own awareness and strength will get you past the finish line.
Once you have passed through these four stages of healing, you once again have the freedom that comes with good health and well-being. You also gain the opportunity of choice when it comes to maintaining this health and well-being. For many that means continued maintenance care. This can include acupuncture, massage, sound healing, cupping, chiropractic care, red light therapy and more. No two people are alike, nor do they heal the same way. Finding what works for you is always important. If you are dealing with any of the aforementioned stages of healing and need assistance, please consider East Asian Medicine and all that it has to offer.