People who have undergone surgery understand the complexity of the recovery process. Patients need a workable post-op care plan that prevents the surgical injury from worsening and instead speed up the recovery process. To this end, many people usually take up physical therapy after surgery to manage their recovery process. In post-surgical rehabilitation, physical therapy helps patients regain mobility, flexibility, and strength in their quest for a full recovery. Experienced physical therapists assess a patient before customizing a recovery plan that best suits their needs. Physical therapy usually incorporates massages and simple physical exercises into the patient's recovery plan to complement the medical and surgical treatment. Thus, patients who wish to get better results and recover fully should incorporate physical therapy into their post-surgical rehabilitation plan. Below are a few health benefits of using physical therapy during post-op rehabilitation:

Effective Blood Circulation

People should first consider physical therapy during post-surgical rehabilitation because it improves blood circulation. Sometimes patients experience swelling around the injured part after undergoing surgery. The swelling affects regular blood flow around the injured part, thus slowing the recovery process. Physical therapy improves blood circulation around the injured part, reducing inflammation. Moreover, blood circulation helps transport oxygen and blood nutrients to the affected part, speeding up the recovery process.

Improved Flexibility and Mobility

Adding physical therapy into a patient's post-surgical rehabilitation plan also enhances flexibility and mobility. Many surgical patients have a limited range of motion because of stiffness or pain, limiting their capacity to perform basic activities like walking. Physical therapy allows professional physiotherapists to prescribe exercises targeting muscle groups around the operated region. Exercising the injured muscles loosens them up, increasing a patient's range of motion. However, patients should perform these exercises under the guidance of a qualified professional to avoid exacerbating or aggravating the injury. Physical therapy professionals usually prepare customized plans specific to the patient's needs. This involves accounting for the patient's age, physical capability, and injury severity before prescribing exercises.

Effective Long-Term Pain Management

Another essential aspect of rehabilitation and post-op care is pain management. It is normal to experience localized pain in the injured region when recovering after surgery. Therefore, doctors usually prescribe painkillers to help patients manage the pain as they recover. Doctors also advise patients to take physical therapy as another effective pain management alternative. Physical therapists help patients perform exercises that relieve pain by restoring joint and muscle function. The patient starts with simple exercises, which gradually increase in difficulty as the patient experiences less pain with each passing day.

For more information, reach out to a physical therapy center, such as Dr. Carr Integrative Physical Therapy.