Post-Surgical Rehabilitation with Physical Therapy
Have you recently had a surgery or found out that you need to have a surgical procedure done for your health? While surgery can be vital for your overall wellness, it does come with risks. Depending on the type of surgery you have done, you may even have difficulty with movement, strength, or handling daily activities for weeks after your procedure.
Thankfully, there is a solution. Our team of expert physical therapists is dedicated to helping you heal from surgery, improve your health, and change your life. With our support, you can heal faster from surgery and get back to living your life. Call us at (929) 647-3721 or click the link below to get started on your road to recovery today.
Why Is Rehab Necessary After Surgery?
Every surgery causes damage to your body. While some cause more damage than others, even minor procedures can impact your movement and functional ability, especially if the affected area doesn’t heal properly. In order to regain your strength and get back to your old routines, you need to be able to move easily—and that’s where physical therapy becomes vital.
Physical therapists are experts in the body’s strength, flexibility, balance, and other mechanics that make it possible for you to move around easily and safely. Our team can help you regain your strength through simple exercises, stretches, and techniques that help alleviate pain and swelling post-surgery and empower your body to heal. Plus, you’ll have our support to ensure you regain your strength and movement at a good pace, which reduces your risk of re-injury.
What Types of Surgeries Can Physical Therapy Rehab?
Physical therapy is fantastic for rehabilitation after many types of surgical procedures for repair, replacement, or disease management. This includes any surgery done on your:
- Shoulder
- Spine
- Knee
- Hips
- Ankle
- Foot
- Heart
- Elbow
- Wrist
- Hand
- Abdomen
- Internal organs
For example, physical therapy can be just as beneficial for a hip replacement as it is for help recovering after heart surgery, a rotator cuff repair, or any surgical procedure done to treat a hernia.
Can Physical Therapy Pre-Surgery Help Me Heal Faster?
Yes, pre-surgical rehab is excellent if you have time before your surgery to participate. Physical therapy done before surgery can improve your pain and mobility, help decrease swelling or inflammation, and give you a better chance of having a successful surgery with minimal complications. It also gives you a stronger foundation so that your recovery post-surgery is easier on your body and can be done faster.
What Can Happen if I Don’t Get Post-Surgical Physical Therapy?
There are two main problems that you can run into if you forgo post-surgical rehab: weakness and scar tissue. When you get any kind of injury, your body can feel sore and weak. You may limit your use of that body part due to fear of pain. But if you rest for too long, you can lose muscle strength and potentially make it harder for yourself to get back to normal activity after surgery.
The other problem is that scar tissue, while vital for healing surgical incisions, can cause tightness in the affected area of your body and make movement more difficult. Physical therapy has ways to help keep scar tissue from forming where it shouldn’t and maintain your mobility after surgery.
Why Choose Hands-On Physical Therapy for Post-Surgical Rehab?
Even if you’ve tried physical therapy before, you’ve never experienced it like this. At Hands-On Physical Therapy, we take a different approach to helping our patients recover from surgery and get rid of their pain. Our expert therapists use advanced diagnostic technology to truly see your pain. Then we utilize proven, hands-on physical therapy techniques to alleviate your pain and get you moving confidently again.
Our Advanced Diagnostic Technology
Some of the advanced diagnostic technology we use to help pinpoint the root causes of your pain for customized treatments include:
- Electromyography (EMG) – a simple test that evaluates the condition of your muscles by measuring their electrical activity both while contracting and at rest.
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS) – a test that measures electrical activity through your nerves to determine if they are healthy and functioning well.
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) – a diagnostic tool to see inside your body to determine what effects your muscles and joints are having on your pain levels.
What to Expect When Starting Post-Surgical Rehab with a Physical Therapist
We believe that the first step to taking care of your body post-surgery is proper education on your condition, because the more you know, the better you can handle your recovery. Our team will work with you on your customized therapy plan, answer your questions, and advise you on how to alleviate your pain and improve your healing.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Therapeutic exercises
- Myofascial release
- Ice and/or heat
- Trigger point therapy
- Stretching
- Massage
- Laser therapy
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Post-Surgical Healing
Many patients worry that doing any amount of exercise—including physical therapy exercises—will only make their pain worse. But the muscle weakness, limited range of motion, and other health issues that go along with inactivity are what will worsen your pain. By doing simple exercises and stretches, you can:
- Reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation
- Improve muscle strength
- Build range of motion in the affected area
- Regain your ability to move independently
- Get back to living your life post surgery
Plus, you don’t have to do it alone! Our expert physical therapists will be with you every step of the way, not only to encourage you but to ensure you approach your treatment safely and effectively.
What Our Patients Have to Say
“I’m genuinely delighted with my experience at Hands On PT! Dealing with chronic plantar fasciitis for over a year, and now experiencing no more pain, is incredible. The staff’s kindness, patience, and attentiveness have made my rehabilitation journey enjoyable. Their consistent guidance through exercises and caring approach have turned the process into a positive and effective experience. I highly appreciate the quality of care provided by Hands On PT.” –M.Y. [link]
“I highly recommend this clinic for its outstanding care during my rehabilitation. The front desk staff ensured every appointment was smooth and stress-free, and the exercise specialists…were incredibly helpful and patient while instructing exercises.
Special thanks to my therapist, Stephen, for his professionalism and warmth. His tailored approach and attentiveness greatly contributed to my recovery, making a challenging rehab process much more manageable. His ability to listen and adapt the treatment plan as needed was particularly appreciated.
I’m grateful to the entire team for their dedication and support. Thanks to them, I’m feeling much better and ready to return to work and my regular life.” R.L. [link]
“I have nothing but good things to say about my experience at Hands-On. All the staff from reception to therapists have been kind and friendly. Most importantly, my hip pain is gone and I haven’t felt this good in years. I can’t recommend them highly enough and if I ever need to go back to PT, I will definitely choose Hands-On again.” –L.H. [link]
Schedule Your Appointment with Hands-On Physical Therapy
Give yourself the gift of a smooth recovery after surgery. Our expert physical therapists are here to help you regain your strength, alleviate your pain, and live the life you deserve. Call us at (929) 647-3721 or click the link below to schedule your physical therapy evaluation today.