If you have recently suffered an injury, you are likely faced with what seems like an endless waiting game when it comes to recovery. But active recovery, a philosophy that incorporates exercise into the recovery process, can help to make recovery feel less like tedious thumb-twiddling and more like an achievable goal. If you are interested in exercises that can help you on your road to complete recovery, take a look below at just three of the ones that many people find the most effective.

Swimming

Swimming is perhaps the king of all recovery exercises, as it simultaneously forces your muscles to perform real work, and yet does so without causing much (if any) inflammation. This is because the water in large part buoys your body, and therefore relieves your joints of the pressure they normally are subjected to when they bear weight. In addition, swimming is great even for those who aren't confident in their ability to swim laps. Swimming recovery exercises can be done on a water bike, as part of water aerobics classes, and more. 

Myofascial Pain Release

While it may sound like an advanced physiotherapy term, the principle behind myofascial pain release exercises is simple. Stiff muscles need to be targeted, stimulated, and stretched, with the ultimate goal of relieving pain. Myofascial release is something that can be accomplished without the help of a physical therapist and can be done using a variety of tools. The most popular of these is a foam roller, which can be used on all parts of the body. Many foam rollers even have the ability to vibrate, which may help to improve your circulation and maximize your range of motion. 

Yoga

When many people think of yoga, they think of ultra-flexible people twisting and contorting themselves in all sorts of positions that seem totally unachievable. The reality, however, is that yoga can be the perfect active recovery activity, even for those who have suffered a serious injury. Yoga helps to lift your heart rate but does so through low-impact exercises. You'll also experience the benefit of increased joint mobility. Best of all, the intensity and pace of the yoga workout can be customized from day to day, so you'll never feel like you're pushing yourself too much. Start with simple poses meant for recovery such as Pigeon and Thread the Needle, and then work your way up to more advanced poses over time.

For more information on fitness recovery, contact a professional near you.