Office Hours: Practical Advice on How to Heal from An Injury

Mark Hyman

Feb 16, 2026

Episode description

Injury has a way of humbling you. One minute you’re strong and capable, and the next you’re struggling to do the simplest things—walking, sleeping, even brushing your teeth. I know this firsthand. After six back surgeries and more than a few serious setbacks, I’ve learned that healing isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you actively create. In today’s Office Hours, I share what I’ve learned not just as a doctor, but as a patient who worked his way back to strength offering a practical roadmap for putting your body into healing mode after an accident, injury, or surgery.

In today’s conversation, I cover:

• The 3 phases of healing—and what slows them down

• The essential recovery nutrition strategy (more protein, key micronutrients, anti-inflammatory fats)

• How to reduce excess inflammation while supporting repair

• Why sleep, stress regulation, and mitochondrial health are critical for recovery

• The mindset shift that can dramatically improve pain, resilience, and healing outcomes

Healing isn’t luck—it’s biology. When you create the right conditions, your body knows exactly what to do. With the right inputs, you can reduce pain, shorten recovery time, and come back stronger than before.

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(0:00) Introduction to office hours and personal health journey

(6:12) Nutrition's role in healing and recovery

(11:00) The biological mechanisms of healing

(14:29) The role of sleep, stress management, and mindset in recovery

(21:20) Monitoring recovery with heart rate variability

(22:32) Supplements and professional support for optimal healing

(25:22) Conclusion, sharing, and subscribing information



Mindsip insights from this episode:

Leverage high HRV for faster healing and recovery

High heart rate variability (HRV) is correlated with faster wound healing and better surgical recovery because it indicates a healthier nervous system.

Address insulin resistance to enhance healing

Healing is impaired if you have pre-diabetes or insulin resistance, as it can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage.

Utilize peptides for effective tissue repair after injury

Peptides like BPC-157 (spoken as EPC157) can be used to help with healing and tissue repair after an injury.

Utilize Normatec boots to reduce swelling effectively

Using lymphatic drainage devices like Normatec boots can dramatically reduce swelling by squeezing fluid out of the injured limbs.

Avoid overusing anti-inflammatory drugs to support tissue remodeling

Avoid overusing anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil or ibuprofen early on, as they can slow down the necessary tissue remodeling process.

Believe in healing to activate brain's opioid pathways

Believing you will heal activates your brain's own opioid pathways, which lowers your perception of pain and improves recovery outcomes.

Utilize proteolytic enzymes to clear tissue damage after injury

Taking proteolytic enzymes can help break down damaged tissues and clear waste out of your system after an injury like a sprain.

Train with blood flow restriction to build muscle with lighter weights

Blood flow restriction bands allow you to activate muscle building and repair with lighter weights when you can't lift heavy due to injury.

Boost protein intake by 20-30% for effective healing

When you're injured, you need to increase your protein intake by about 20-30% to provide the raw materials for tissue repair.

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