Why You Should Attend Physical Therapy After Surgery

Surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a certain medical condition or injury. Once the procedure is over, you will likely have a long recovery ahead of you. One way to make the recovery process a little easier is to go to physical therapy.

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

Reduce Pain

Whether you have had a knee replacement surgery or heart surgery, it is normal to experience pain after an invasive procedure. However, the pain can make it difficult to get out bed every day. While prescription pain medication is available, it carries side effects and can be addictive.

That is why physical therapy is a wise move after surgery. During physical therapy, your therapist will give you massages and have you do various exercises to alleviate your pain.

Improve Range of Motion

After undergoing a surgical procedure, your body will attempt to protect the area by causing muscle tightness and spasms. This can make it extra difficult to move around freely. If you attend physical therapy, you will perform various strengthening exercises and undergo manual therapy to improve your range of motion. After a few sessions, you may be able to move around without assistance.

Prevent Scar Tissue

As your body heals from surgery, scar tissue may form. Unfortunately, too much scar tissue can cause pain and tightness. This is another reason to consider physical therapy. There are a lot of therapy techniques, such as ultrasound and massage, that can reduce scar tissue formation.

Boost Blood Circulation

When a physical therapist gives you a massage, it can improve your blood circulation. With good blood circulation, your body will receive the proper oxygen and nutrients. As a result, you will have less inflammation and can recover from your procedure faster.

Increase Flexibility

If you do not move around much after surgery, you can experience decreased flexibility and become susceptible to injuries. The last thing you want to do is sustain an injury while you are still recovering from surgery. By attending physical therapy, you can improve your flexibility through various stretching exercises.

As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to going to physical therapy after surgery. If you have recently had surgery, you should schedule a session with a reputable physical therapist your area. He or she will evaluate your condition and help you recover from your surgical procedure faster.

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