Treating several injuries require you going under the knife. However, after surgery, the doctor will recommend going for physical therapy.
Many of us may think that physical therapy is optional after an operation, but it is vital to go for the healing process immediately after recovering from anesthesia. You may observe that people who seek physical therapy recover faster than those who don’t. Moreover, after an operation, the patient usually, feels physically and mentally weak. Therefore, to regain the original state and movement of the body, one has to go through physical therapy programs and exercises.
According to NPR, “It turned out that patients who saw a physical therapist before trying other treatments had an 89 percent lower probability of eventually needing an opioid prescription, a 28 percent lower probability of having any advanced imaging services, and a 15 percent lower probability of making one or more ER visits.“
A physical therapist is a trained healthcare professional who closely works with the patient to examine their condition, and then designs the most suitable treatment that uniquely meets their individual needs, apart from healing their pain.
However, as the most relevant surgery is crucial for treating an injury, the most suitable physical therapy is equally important in the healing process. When you consult a physical therapist, they will thoroughly check your surgical effects before designing the treatment.
When a patient undergoes surgery, they are likely to experience terrible pain, swelling, loss of motion, and bruising following the procedure. Getting up and making a move around after surgery can be one of the most painful tasks, and at the same time crucial to return to the activity level you previously were.
The concerned physical therapist will tailor your specific condition, along with designing the most suitable treatment.
Let us take a look at how physical therapy can benefit you in the case of surgery.
Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
Physical therapists are skilled and trained in identifying the deficiencies in the biomechanics of the body. They exactly know how to focus on the target areas to improve their performance in regards to movement, the range of motion, flexibility, and strength.
According to Gulf Shore Physical Therapy Center, “No matter what type of surgery you’re recovering from—from joint replacements to a heart valve replacement—undergoing rehab after surgery with a physical therapist is essential to maximize your physical potential, accelerate your recovery, and help you get the most out of the highly skilled interventions provided by your surgical team.“
Moreover, they are highly experienced to deal with patients with various kinds of surgeries.
Designing A Realistic Recovery Plan
Most of the times, patients are afraid of re-injury after going through surgery. Remarkably, the surgical or the repaired part is most vulnerable for getting damaged if you do not look after it appropriately. Now, when you visit a physical therapist, they will thoroughly examine your surgery and the overall physical state. Then, they will design a treatment plan that will assist you in the recovery process.
Moreover, physical therapists are experienced in working with every kind of surgery. Therefore, you will work with the most fulfilling recovery plan.
Offer Motivation
Often, patients with orthopedic surgeries build up unrealistic expectations regarding their recovery. In this case, either they push themselves harder or give up the rehabilitation.
However, when your physical therapist by your side, you are not alone in the journey to the recovery. They will assist you at every stage of your treatment and offer the needed encouragement.
Stretching Exercises For Stiff Muscles & Joints
Depending on the type of surgery, your physical therapist will design the treatment plan that will include numerous exercises, along with other programs and services.
These exercises may include stretching of muscles and joints to help you get back to the normal movement of your body. Most of the times, after surgery, patients suffer from surgical effects like lack of movement & flexibility, severe pain in the repaired part, swelling, etc. A physical therapist will offer effective therapies and techniques to help you relieve the pain of stiffened muscles and joints.
Restore Strength
One of the effects that patients usually, suffer after surgery is a reduced strength. Already, they are in the traumatic state physically and emotionally about going under the knife. Due to this, they lack the confidence to get up and move around on their own. With a physical therapist, it becomes easier and motivating to regain the self-confidence and strength to return to the previous activities.
Improve Flexibility
When you remain on the bed for a long time, your joints and muscles are bound to stiffen. Moreover, suffering from injury and then going through an operation can take a toll on your body. A physical therapist can help you improve your flexibility with sets of suitable and relevant exercises. Additionally, they also offer effective physical therapy techniques for this purpose.
Core Strengthening & Stability Exercises
In the case of orthopedic surgery, it happens that the patient will need a set of exercises to increase & regain their strength and improve their stability. For example, in the case of hip surgery, the patient will lack energy and balance. Therefore, the concerned physical therapist will design a treatment plan that will include exercises, therapies, techniques, and programs to help them increase their energy levels and balance.
Thus, physical therapy helps you return to the activities you love the most, after surgery. So, do not be afraid to visit a physical therapist, for they are the best people to help you recover faster and effectively.