Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Tips
After surgery, it might be necessary to use pain medication.
Surgery is a draining and stressful situation. There's much more to recovering than physically healing. Post-surgery rehab covers natural healing and mental recovery, reintegration, and best practices to stay in shape.
Here are some tips for rehabilitation after surgery:
What is post-surgery rehabilitation?
Surgery is invasive. It takes a major toll on the person's health. Immediately after surgery, rehabilitation is necessary to reduce the likelihood of complications and speed up healing. Some of its goals are to restore physical function, reduce pain, and avoid certain side effects associated with surgery.
Pain management options
After surgery, it might be necessary to use pain medication. However, other non-pharmaceutical means to handle pain, such as ice, heat, natural remedies, and gentle massage, are also helpful.
Physical therapy after surgery
Physical therapy is a significant aspect of recovery after surgery. It helps patients regain strength and mobility, especially after being bedridden post-surgery. Therapists will create a personal plan that includes exercises that improve flexibility, balance, and muscle strength.
Nutrition for healing
Food helps the healing process, so balanced nutrition is integral to post-surgery recovery and rehabilitation. This diet should be rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Such a balanced diet supports tissue repair and the immune system, which is more vulnerable after surgery. Drinking plenty of water is also significant in supporting recovery and overall health.
Caring for wounds
Most surgeries inevitably leave the patient with wounds, especially the more invasive, difficult surgeries. Physicians will advise on bathing, dressing changes, and recognizing signs of infection to take care of wounds properly. Taking good care of wounds helps them heal faster and avoids excess scarring.
Being active after surgery
Physical activity takes a hit after surgery, and it's unwise to rush into exercising too soon. Follow the doctor's advice and increase physical activity gradually and carefully, ideally with some monitoring. The doctor will explain safe techniques for moving, sitting, and daily activities to avoid straining body parts that endured surgery.
Mental and emotional well-being
The effects of surgery aren't just physical. The emotional impact is an important factor. The physical pain, anxiety about the surgery's success and risks, exhaustion, financial toll, etc., all adversely impact emotional well-being. Support groups, counseling, and relaxation techniques help with emotional health, as does recognizing and managing symptoms of depression or anxiety post-surgery.
Ongoing care after surgery
The recovery period post-surgery takes time and effort. However, it can be a smooth and effective process with adequate professional support from a physician. They can advise on immediate recovery, long-term rehabilitation, and beneficial lifestyle changes.
Liberated Rehabilitation is a mobile physical therapy service in the Phoenix metro area specializing in fully personalized in-home physical therapy. We provide tailored physical therapy in the home or work setting for faster, better recovery. Call (602)755-2276 to schedule an appointment.
