Post Surgical Rehabilitation in Downtown West St. Louis, MO. Surgery, whether voluntary or required, is a major event in your life. While the surgery is in the best interest of your health, it can make you feeling depleted and uncertain if you’ll ever genuinely recover. That’s where we come in. Axes Physical Therapy, owned and operated by local physical therapists in Downtown West St. Louis, MO, is dedicated to guiding you through your post surgical rehabilitation journey with evidence-based treatment plans customized for your specific situation.
Our mission is clear: to help Downtown West St. Louis, MO residents who receive surgery recover effectively, ensuring you can return to the things you love doing most. So, whether you’ve recently undergone surgery or are getting ready for one, trust Axes in Downtown West St. Louis, MO with your post surgical rehabilitation.
Get back to the activities you adore most with Axes Physical Therapy, where your health is our top concern. Make an appointment online or phone the Axes location closest to you today.
Benefits of Post Surgical Physical Therapy in Downtown West St. Louis, MO
Surgery is damaging to the body as, even though it’s intended to assist you long-term, it’s still making tears and incisions in several tissues. This damage to the body must happen for us to get the benefits of surgery, and the effectiveness of surgery often relies on the body’s ability to heal. Remaining on bed rest for too long can bring problems, and getting moving after surgery helps your muscles stay strong and keeps your body in good shape. Post surgical rehabilitation with a qualified physical therapist in Downtown West St. Louis, MO is often required to ensure you recover and reap the most rewards from your surger.
Helps Improve Power, Mobility, and Flexibility
A main advantage of post-surgical rehabilitation through physical therapy is its capability to amplify a number of aspects crucial for a fruitful recovery:
- Strength — Physical therapy focuses on customized exercises and techniques to restore muscle strength in areas where there is the potential for atrophy. Whether it’s a joint, muscle group, or specific area of your body, our knowledgeable Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapists design exercises to improve your muscle power.
- Mobility — After surgery, reclaiming the ability to move without restriction and without pain is essential. Physical therapy focuses on mobility exercises that strive to return your range of motion. This is particularly important for surgeries involving joint areas, as it allows you to recover your ability to flex, stretch, and move these areas without challenge.
- Flexibility — Surgery can lead to tight or inflexible joints and muscles. Physical therapy includes various stretching exercises designed to increase your flexibility. These exercises promote more flexibility, which is essential for reducing post-operative discomfort and ensuring a better recovery process.
Speeding Up the Recovery Process
Physical therapy after surgery can aid you regain your best you quicker. Here’s how:
- Targeted Exercise Programs — Physical therapists create customized exercise programs oriented to your specific surgery, body, and personal needs. These exercises are crafted to maximize your recovery by incrementally increasing in intensity as you progress.
- Progressive Treatment — Your physical therapist will monitor your progress carefully and implement necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. This guarantees that you are regularly challenged without straining yourself, permitting continuous, safe, and efficient recovery.
- Boosted Circulation — Physical therapy boosts blood flow to the surgical site and across your body. This blood delivers crucial nutrients and oxygen to the recovering tissues, accelerating the body’s organic healing processes.
- Reduction in Swelling — Swelling is a common post-surgery issue, and excessive swelling can hamper healing. Physical therapy techniques, including manual treatment methods and targeted exercises, can help diminish swelling and inflammation, giving relief and expediting recovery.
Ensuring Proper Healing and Preventing Complications
Successful post surgical rehabilitation through physical therapy is vital in ensuring that the healing process proceeds seamlessly and without complications. Here’s how physical therapy in St. Louis adds to a smoother recovery:
- Monitoring Surgical Site — Physical therapists closely monitor the surgical site, focusing on any signs of complications or issues. This preventive approach permits early detection and intervention, reducing the risk of further problems.
- Tailored Rehabilitation — Axes’ physical therapy programs in Downtown West St. Louis, MO are personalized based on the type of surgery you’ve undergone. Your rehabilitation plan is shaped to address the particular needs and challenges related to your surgery.
- Preventing Muscle Atrophy — After surgery, muscles surrounding the affected area can weaken due to inactivity. Physical therapy features exercises targeting preventing muscle atrophy and preserving muscle tone. This not only facilitates the healing process but also minimizes the risk of muscle-related issues occurring down the road.
- Enhancing Surgical Outcomes — Proper rehabilitation ensures that any replacements or repairs made during surgery mend optimally. Physical therapy techniques are designed to promote the correct alignment and function of the surgical site, minimizing the likelihood of complications or the need for additional procedures.
Ease Pain Effectively
Managing pain and inflammation is a crucial aspect of post surgical recovery. Physical therapy offers a non-narcotic approach to pain management with multiple advantages:
- Targeted Pain Relief — Physical therapists utilize different techniques to alleviate pain, including manual therapy, specialized exercises, and modalities like cold and heat therapy. These methods are specifically tailored to tackle pain at the surgical site, providing effective relief.
- Minimized Opioid Dependency — The crisis of opioid misuse is a growing concern in healthcare. Physical therapy can significantly reduce the need for painkillers by addressing the underlying musculoskeletal issues causing pain. This approach not only avoids opioid-related side effects but also decreases the risk of dependence. According to the CDC, nonopioid therapies may actually be more effective than opioids for some conditions.
- Holistic Pain Management — Physical therapy takes a holistic approach to pain management. It not only focuses on instant pain relief but also works towards enhancing overall musculoskeletal function and dealing with the underlying issues behind the pain. This results in a more comprehensive and enduring reduction in pain.
Enhancing Psychological Well-being With Exercise
Surgery puts stress on our minds as well as our bodies. You have to deal with apprehension of the surgery itself, a sense of being out of control, and maybe even financial stress or body image concerns. Here’s how exercise-based rehabilitation contributes to better mental health following surgery:
- Release of Endorphins and Reduction of Anxiety — Exercise, a primary component of physical therapy, stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are organic substances in the body that are often referred to as “feel-good” hormones. They create a positive sensation and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Feeling of Accomplishment — As you progress through your physical therapy program, you frequently experience a sense of accomplishment with each milestone you pass. Whether it’s restoring mobility, strength, independence in daily activities, or reengaging with one of your favorite activities, these achievements elevate confidence and self-esteem.
- Improved Sleep — Engaging in exercises also contributes to better sleep quality. Patients who engage in structured exercise programs often report improved sleep patterns, which are crucial for overall well-being and recovery.
Who Needs Post-Surgery Rehabilitation in Downtown West St. Louis, MO?
Physical therapy is regularly recommended after many types of surgery in Downtown West St. Louis, MO:
- Ligament Reconstruction —
Ligament reconstruction surgery is conducted to fix damaged ligaments, often seen in injuries to the knee or shoulder. Physical therapy is crucial in helping you recover mobility and strength in the affected joint after such surgeries. Therapists design rehabilitation programs specifically designed to the specific ligament repaired, centering on exercises that incrementally restore function and stability.
- Joint Replacement —
Joint surgeries, such as hip, knee, or shoulder replacements, are growingly common procedures. Physical therapy is essential to guaranteeing your body successfully adapts to its new joint. You’ll benefit from supervised exercises that enhance joint mobility, fortify supporting muscles, and assist a return to daily or beloved activities. Starting physical therapy early post-operatively can markedly speed up the healing process.
- Spine Surgery —
Spinal surgeries, like procedures such as disk surgery, demand gentle care throughout recovery. Physical therapy takes on a critical role in these cases by guiding you through light stretches and exercises that promote blood flow and incrementally reintroduce them to routine movements. This aids minimize discomfort and accelerates recovery.
- Tendon Repair —
Surgery to repair tendons is often required for conditions such as tears in the rotator cuff or Achilles tendon injuries. Physical therapists employ targeted exercises to regain strength and flexibility in the repaired tendon, guaranteeing a safe and effective recovery.
- Cartilage Repair —
Surgeries to repair cartilage, addressing issues like an ACL tear, call for specialized rehabilitation. Physical therapy concentrates on restoring joint function and mobility while protecting the newly repaired cartilage. Therapists utilize techniques that strengthen the surrounding muscles and enhance range of motion.
- Fracture Repair —
Fracture repair surgeries, be it in the limbs or complicated fractures, necessitate meticulous rehabilitation. Physical therapy helps with regaining strength, mobility, and flexibility in the affected area.
- Heart Surgery —
Heart surgeries, including operations like bypass surgery, necessitate a holistic approach to recovery. Physical therapy occupies a vital role in preventing cardiopulmonary complications by gradually reintroducing you to gentle supervised exercise. This encourages complete well-being and decreases the duration of hospitalizations.
You should know that every surgery is individual, and the type of rehabilitation required may change as per the surgery. Your Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapist at Axes will create a partnership with you and your medical team to offer you a customized therapy regimen aimed at achieving back your mobility and taking you return to the activities you enjoy the most.
Contact Axes For Your Post-Surgical Rehabilitation in Downtown West St. Louis, MO
Physical therapy is a crucial component of attaining a successful recovery in after-surgery rehabilitation. When you think about your post-operative journey in Downtown West St. Louis, MO, we encourage you to act and focus on your recovery through physical therapy. Here are the crucial steps to guarantee a positive post-surgery recovery experience:
- Consult with your surgical team or take advantage of direct access physical therapy to determine if physical therapy is appropriate for your post-surgical rehabilitation
- Start post-surgical rehabilitation as quickly as recommended following your surgery
- Stick to the Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapist’s advice
- Communicate with your physical therapist and share any worries or doubts you have
- Celebrate achievements by recognizing each achievement and progression in your rehabilitation
- Get out there and get back to the pastimes you enjoy most
Your recovery journey is specific to your situation, and with Axes, your treatment plan will be tailored for your needs and founded on rehabilitation techniques scientifically proven to work. If you have any questions or if you would like to start your post-surgery rehabilitation, please feel free to get in touch with our knowledgeable team of Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. Your health is our top priority, and we are excited to supporting you on your journey to wellness. Contact us through our website or call the Axes location closest to you.