How Physical Therapy Can Improve Mobility After Surgery

How Physical Therapy Can Improve Mobility After Surgery

According to a YouGov poll from spring 2024, more than 50% of American participants over 18 got some form of professional physiotherapy or physical therapy treatment at some point. Physical therapy is a standard conservative treatment for addressing musculoskeletal problems like injuries and chronic pain.

Did you know physical therapy after surgery is also beneficial? If you’re considering physical therapy in NJ as part of your recovery process following surgery, consider the post below to learn how the treatment may help.

Top Ways Post-Surgery Rehabilitation Can Help You Recover

A physical therapy treatment following an orthopedic surgery can involve everything from gait training to muscle strengthening. Post-operative physical therapy has many advantages.

A 2023 study Published by Cureus shows that 91% of participants agreed that physical therapy was necessary for recovery. In the same study, 76% believed the treatment was essential for managing post-surgical complications.

Below are ways you could benefit from physical therapy after surgery.

Improvement in Balance, Mobility, and Range of Motion

When you have surgery, your body will try to defend itself and heal from the trauma by inflaming the tissues around the surgical site. The inflammation can cause pain, swelling, tightness, and restricted movement. 

Engaging in physical therapy after surgery may help restore mobility and range of motion faster than you would without this treatment. Experienced physical therapists may be able to help restore your natural function in several ways, including:

  • Stretches
  • Exercises
  • Light therapy
  • Massages
  • Heat and cold therapy

Depending on the location and scope of your surgery, physical therapy with core and back strengthening may help improve your balance and stability. Knee, hip, and shoulder surgeries often lead to limited range of motion, yet targeted exercises can work out the muscles in those areas to help restore function.

Manage Pain More Efficiently

Pain is often a problem for people before surgeries and during their recovery periods. Though prescription medications like opioids may help ease pain and discomfort, many prefer not to rely solely on drugs, so they use conservative treatments like physical therapy to relieve pain.

For instance, a 2020 study published by Pain Reports showed an almost 90% decreased probability of opioid prescriptions in patients with musculoskeletal pain who get physical therapy first.

The pain relief physiotherapy offers comes from the reduction of inflammation, swelling, and stiffness. Though people often assume that doing targeted stretches and strengthening exercises will cause more pain, many find that the opposite is true. Instead of causing pain, the movement helps improve muscle function and reduce inflammation, making the need for pain medication less likely.

Scar Tissue Management

Sometimes, you can see the scar tissue forming around your surgical incision. Other times, the scar tissue is internal and can restrict mobility or become painful. With physical therapy, you may be able to minimize the formation of scar tissue and keep the scar tissue that develops flexible, which helps reduce pain. 

What To Expect With Physical Therapy in New Jersey

What To Expect With Physical Therapy in New Jersey

When preparing for New Jersey physical therapy after surgery, you can expect a licensed physiotherapist to assess your needs and create a personalized treatment program to address them. You’ll likely start off slowly and progress throughout your recovery. You may also have different types of physical therapy as part of your treatment beyond targeted exercises.

Turn to Align Health & Wellness for New Jersey Physical Therapy After Surgery

Anytime you need physical therapy for disability after a car accident, workplace injury, or surgery, our compassionate team at Align Health & Wellness for help during your recovery. As one of the top providers of physical therapy in New Jersey, we believe in taking a holistic, personalized approach to patient care by treating underlying causes of problems and promoting total wellness and healing.

Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available—call (609) 799-8444 today for an appointment for physical therapy after surgery.

FAQs About Physical Therapy Following Surgery

Read the answers below to learn more about post-surgery rehabilitation. 

What Happens If You Don’t Get Physical Therapy in New Jersey After Surgery?

Without physical therapy in New Jersey, you may have less joint mobilization and functional movement than you did before your operation. Healing may also take longer.

When’s the Right Time To Start Physical Therapy After Surgery?

Depending on the type and extent of your operation, you could start physical therapy after surgery within a few hours to several days of the procedure.

Are There Downsides to Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy has many benefits. Still, you might experience muscle fatigue, swelling, and tenderness while performing strengthening exercises and other treatments.

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