4 Benefits of Physical Therapy After Surgery
on Thursday, September 27, 2018
Physical Therapy is a vital step in your surgical recovery and healing process. Patients who seek physical therapy after an operation have been known to recover at a higher rate than those who do not take part in therapy.
There are four primary ways physical therapy can benefit you after you have had surgery.
- Restore range of motion
- Ease pain and swelling
- Prevent blood clots and increase circulation
- Slowly return to normal movement
RESTORE RANGE OF MOTION
Stretching is vital in maintaining good range of motion for joints and flexibility of muscles. Physical therapy includes exercises that will help you regain mobility after surgery and help you return to your normal level of activity.
EASE PAIN AND SWELLING
Post operation pain can come from swelling and inflammation. Inflammation is a normal part of tissue healing. It initiates the process of healing by removing damaged cells and flooding the injured region with the cells that promote tissue healing. However, when inflammation persists, especially when long past the initial injury, it has a negative effect on the body’s ability to heal itself. Physical therapy can help manage the fluids that are involved in the inflammation.
PREVENT BLOOD CLOTS AND INCREASE CIRCULATION
Blood clot formation, also known as coagulation, is your body’s normal response in certain situations. Your risk for developing blood clots increases after surgery. One type of clot you are at increased risk for is a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is the formation of blood clots in deep veins in your body, which can break off and make their way to the heart, lungs, or brain. Physical therapy can increase blood flow and prevent blood clot formation.
SLOWLY RETURN TO NORMAL MOVEMENT
After surgery it is common to lose muscle strength and flexibility, both of which can impair normal movement and reduce range of motion. Physical therapy can identify which muscles need to be strengthened and provide the right exercises that will help regain mobility. Through physical therapy, some patients may even have better mobility than they had before the surgery.
HOW RENEW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP
Depending on the surgery and the individual, specific treatments will be used. Your therapist at Renew Physical Therapy will determine the appropriate treatment plan to help return you to normal mobility and gain back function so you can start enjoying a pain free life again.
You can learn more about our Portland clinic on our About Us page. Call us at 503.928.4914 to schedule an appointment.
Renew Your Body, Reclaim Your Life!
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