Physical Therapist

If you are undergoing surgery soon, whether it is a knee replacement or back surgery, you may want to consider going to physical therapy sessions afterward. Going under the knife is a big deal and the recovery process can be long. Although surgery can improve your condition, it can also leave you weak and less mobile.

Here are a few reasons why you should attend physical therapy after surgery.

Alleviate Pain

It is not uncommon for people to experience pain right after they have surgery. The muscles around the surgical site tense up, which can cause you discomfort. This is one of the biggest reasons why you should go to physical therapy. During your sessions, a therapist will use various non-invasive methods, such as joint mobilization, heat and ice and exercise, to remove pressure from your muscles and joints, which will ultimately relieve your pain.

Improve Mobility

Surgery can be very hard on the body and may make you less mobile immediately afterward. You may have trouble walking around and need assistance with basic tasks. If you wish to improve your mobility, consider going to physical therapy. Your therapist can show you various exercises to help strengthen the affected area and improve your range of motion.

Prevent Scar Tissue

After surgery, the body will naturally produce scar tissue to close the wound. However, if you have too much scar tissue, it can restrict your movements and cause discomfort. That is another reason to consider physical therapy after undergoing a surgical procedure. A physical therapist may perform a massage and ultrasound therapy to soften scar tissue and speed up the healing process.

Boost Circulation

Blood transports nutrients and oxygen to the affected area, which reduces inflammation and speeds up the healing process. Physical therapy can actually improve blood circulation throughout your body, helping you recover quicker. For instance, your physical therapist may perform electrical stimulation to increase muscle contractions and blood flow.

Prevent Secondary Issues

All surgeries come with risks, such as blood clots and infection. One way to reduce your likelihood of these complications is to attend physical therapy. Your physical therapist can have you perform certain exercises to prevent secondary issues.

If you wish to attend physical therapy, you may want to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, like Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, to discuss your goals.