Manual Therapy Post-Surgery: Speeding Up Recovery
There’s no way around it: recovery from surgery is a challenge! However, physiotherapy can help make the process more manageable at every step of the way, including in the early stages. Manual therapy post-surgery is an important part of how we do that.
Manual therapy is an umbrella term for several hands-on techniques that the physiotherapists at Global Physiotherapy use to help post-surgical patients manage pain, regain mobility, and enhance overall function. This type of therapy can be particularly beneficial in the weeks following surgery, as it helps to prevent complications and promotes your body’s natural healing processes.
Patients who undergo manual therapy after surgery often experience reduced pain and a more positive overall rehabilitation. Part of the reason for this is that manual therapy promotes mental well-being–the power of human touch helps reduce the stress and anxiety associated with post-surgical pain and immobility.
Curious about how manual therapy can help you rehabilitate after surgery? Keep reading for an overview of manual therapy post-surgery, including specific techniques and benefits.
What Manual Therapy Techniques Do We Use for Post-Surgical Rehab?
One thing manual therapy techniques have in common is that they all involve the use of the physiotherapist’s hands rather than an instrument. Human touch has immense physical and physiological benefits, especially in the early weeks after surgery.
However, individual techniques do vary. Here are some of the ones we tend to incorporate into post-surgical rehabilitation programs:
Joint Mobilizations
- Joint mobilization involves careful, controlled movement of the joint through its current range of motion. Early movement and mobilization are crucial in surgical recovery, as they help prevent the formation of scar tissue that can cause long-term joint restriction. Joint mobilization is one of the first steps in that process.
Soft Tissue Massage
- This method isn’t like a spa massage, although it might look similar. Our physiotherapists target the muscles and tissues around the surgical site, helping reduce muscle tension and pain and improve blood flow, facilitating healing. This technique is particularly beneficial for reducing scar tissue and swelling.
Lymphatic Drainage
- This is another method used to reduce swelling and improve lymph flow, a waste fluid in your body. This light, rhythmic massage technique encourages the movement of lymph fluids around the body, reducing post-surgical swelling and promoting overall healing. It is especially beneficial for patients who experience significant swelling or fluid retention after surgery.
Myofascial Release
- This specialized technique targets the myofascia, a connective tissue that surrounds muscles. Careful, sustained pressure on the myofascia helps to relieve pain and restore motion by releasing restrictions in the tissue. It’s particularly useful for patients experiencing chronic pain or stiffness after surgery.
Manual Therapy Post-Surgery: A Crucial Step In Your Rehabilitation
Rehabilitating after a surgical procedure is a multi-step process. The early stages, in which you focus on letting the surgical site heal and begin mobilizing the affected body parts, are crucial in determining your long-term outcomes. If you neglect issues at these stages, you may go on to develop chronic pain and limited mobility.
Manual therapy post-surgery plays an essential role in preventing that. The Global Physiotherapy physiotherapists will work closely with you, your surgeon, and other care team members to develop a personalized rehabilitation program that includes the best manual therapy techniques for your needs.
Do you have an orthopedic surgery on your schedule? Now’s the time to make an appointment at our Sherwood Park, AB clinic. That way, we’ll be ready when you leave the hospital after your procedure!