Rest. Nutrition. Stretching. Patience.
I'm in the middle of my own recovery and I am discovering how powerful each of these components are. It's easy, when you're healthy, to think one is living in proper balance to all these things. Now I understand how much that notion is a self deception.
We all tend to think that if we're full and our taste buds are satisfied, we've given our body what it needs. We don't think enough about micro nutrients, food components, digestive components. Eat clean. Eat more for nutrition and eat 'for pleasure' as a reward.
Stretching before and after you work out will help minimize pain. Keep in mind, your body will tighten to protect damaged areas, creating even more problems. Your body will have to undo, unlearn that protective tightness. If you do feel pain, ice it.
Slow and steady win the race. Think in 3 month increments.
That and rest should have you in good health..... 6 months from now. Let's see, that means around July 15th we should be getting a report back from you saying how awesome you feel! -Mark your calendar.