Immediate care of the injury:
Injuries that are subjected to the RICES principle within the first few days generally respond quicker to treatment because the inflammation and repair processes can be controlled. Injuries that are left to their own devices generally take longer to heal because the body may attempt its own healing, often creating new problems such as adhesions or scar tissue.


The severity of the injury:
The more severe the injury, the longer it will take to recover.


Your participation in your rehabilitation:
Your treatment provider will probably give you instructions to follow at home. Sticking to these instructions is vital to your recovery. Your treatment provider does not "heal" your injury - he or she merely facilitates the correct response of the body's naturally healing processes.


Your attitude to your rehabilitation:
Your treatment will almost certainly not progress as quickly as you will want, as you will want to be better yesterday! Stay positive. Your treatment provider will not want to risk returning you to your sport until you are ready. Returning you before you are fit for the demands of your activity will significantly increase your chances of re-injury.


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