Facing surgery can be daunting, but physical therapy before the procedure can significantly improve your experience and outcomes. Pre-surgery physical therapy prepares your body for the stress of surgery, leading to stronger muscles, reduced pain, and a faster recovery. Here’s why starting a physical therapy program before your surgery is crucial.
Stronger Muscles and Tissues
Surgery, even minor procedures, puts considerable strain on your body. Think of it like running a race—you wouldn’t run a 5K without proper training. The same principle applies to surgery. Participating in pre-surgery physical therapy strengthens your muscles and tissues, ensuring your body is in the best possible condition to endure surgery. Individuals who are fitter going into surgery tend to recover faster and retain better function afterward. Working with your physical therapist at a Lubbock physical therapy clinic will increase muscle mass and stamina, helping you handle surgery and recovery more easily.
Prevent Muscle Loss
Muscle atrophy, or the loss of muscle tissue due to inactivity, can happen quickly. After a few weeks of limited movement, muscles can weaken, and recovery can become more challenging. Pre-surgery physical therapy helps you maintain muscle strength and reduces the risk of post-surgery muscle loss. By focusing on muscle-building exercises before surgery, you’ll bounce back more quickly afterward. Once surgery is complete, you can regain mobility faster, minimize muscle atrophy, and jump-start your healing process at the nearest physical therapy clinic.
Shorter Hospital Stay
Physical therapy before surgery can also help you get home sooner. After surgery, hospitals often require patients to demonstrate specific physical abilities—like getting in and out of bed, walking short distances, and managing basic daily tasks. Complications such as balance problems or muscle weakness can prolong your stay. By engaging in pre-surgery physical therapy, you are better prepared to meet these post-surgery requirements. Studies have shown that patients who undergo joint replacement and participate in pre-surgery physical therapy experience quicker recoveries and shorter hospital stays. Physical therapy in Lubbock can be a game changer if you want to avoid extended rehab or acute care.
Pain Reduction
Pain management is another significant benefit of pre-surgery physical therapy. By increasing circulation and reducing inflammation in the affected area before surgery, physical therapy can help lessen post-operative pain. Less pain post-surgery also means a reduced reliance on pain medications, especially opioids, which carry the risk of addiction. Research from Boston University highlights that patients who engage in physical therapy before or after knee replacement surgery are less likely to need long-term opioid therapy. By choosing physical therapy in Lubbock near you, you can manage pain more naturally and effectively, contributing to a smoother recovery.
Lower Risk of Complications
When preparing for surgery, the mantra “better in, better out” holds true. Patients who engage in pre-surgery physical therapy tend to experience fewer complications during and after surgery. Poor cardiovascular fitness and weak tissue health are common reasons for complications post-surgery. Pre-surgical therapy can strengthen your cardiovascular system, improve tissue health, and reduce the chances of complications like infections, blood clots, or delayed healing. This proactive approach promotes quicker recovery and better overall outcomes.
Faster Recovery
A smooth surgery with no complications leads to one key benefit: faster recovery. Pre-surgery physical therapy helps increase blood circulation, which promotes healing and reduces the time you’ll spend in recovery. This primarily benefits athletes or patients eager to return to their everyday routines. Pre-surgical therapy dramatically decreases the need for post-acute care services, meaning patients can recover more independently and faster. If you want to get back to your active lifestyle, starting physical therapy before surgery is a wise choice.
Positive Mental Attitude
One often overlooked advantage of pre-surgical physical therapy is its impact on mental health. Surgery can cause anxiety and uncertainty, but working with a physical therapist helps alleviate some of these concerns. They will educate you on what to expect during and after surgery, from physical limitations to daily challenges you might face. Being informed helps you feel more in control and optimistic about your recovery. This positive mindset can make a big difference in your overall healing process, ensuring you stay motivated and engaged in rehabilitation.
Get Started at Bryce Olson Physical Therapy
Pre-surgery physical therapy is essential in ensuring the best possible outcomes from your surgical procedure. Strengthening muscles, reducing pain, and speeding up recovery prepare your body and mind for the challenges of surgery. Whether facing a minor procedure or a major operation, taking advantage of physical therapy at a Lubbock physical therapy clinic can make all the difference.
Ready to improve your surgical outcomes? Contact Bryce Olson Physical Therapy today and learn how pre-surgery physical therapy can help you succeed on your health journey.