Fast Fixes

Injured? These strategies help speed your healing.

- Jessica Migala

KEEP MOVING

You may continue to run if slowing down allows you to log kays without pain and with proper form, says Dr Lewis Maharam, a sports-medicine doctor. “Running while recovering from muscle strains or tears brings blood flow to the area and helps the muscle heal properly,” he says. However, don’t run if an injury changes your gait, or if you have a stress reaction or fracture. In those cases, keep up a routine with no-impact cross-training, such as pool running or swimming. If you were running four times per week, having something to do instead will help you maintain fitness and sanity.

STAY FLEXIBLE

Foam rolling and dynamic stretches will pump healing blood to injured tissues and improve range of motion, says Michael Conlon, physical therapist and owner of Finish Line Physical Therapy. “Many times, runners think