If you undergo spine surgery, your postoperative rehabilitation may involve some form of physical therapy. Physical therapy is a field of healthcare aimed at helping patients to manage pain, increase mobility, and enhance their overall quality of life. Postoperative therapy in particular helps patients regain strength after surgery, deal with any residual symptoms from their spine condition, and modify behaviors or activities that may be difficult after surgery. For instance, a physical therapist may suggest treatment modalities like heat therapy and ice packs, in addition to daily activity conditioning like learning how to maintain proper posture or how to get into or out of bed without pain.

Choosing a Physical Therapist

There are a variety of ways to choose a physical therapist. You can ask family members or friends if they have ever worked with a physical therapist, or you can simply do your own research to find a qualified, experienced therapist who specializes in postoperative therapy for spine conditions. The surgeon who performs your surgery may also be able to recommend a therapist if the surgical facility does not already have a therapy team on staff.

Factors to Consider

No matter how you choose your therapist, there are several factors to take into consideration, including:

– Location – The frequency of physical therapy sessions will depend on the patient and his or her condition. Some individuals may only need physical therapy once each week, while other patients that have undergone extensive surgery may need to see a physical therapist every day. Once you gauge how often you will need therapy, decide how far you are willing to travel and narrow your list down accordingly.

– Specialization – There are many subspecialties of physical therapy, so make sure you choose a therapist who not only has extensive experience with postoperative rehabilitation, but someone who also specializes in the spine.

– References/reviews – Never choose any healthcare professional without first getting references and reading reviews. Potential physical therapists should willingly supply a list of patient references for you to contact, and the Internet offers countless resources where you can find unbiased reviews of healthcare professionals in your area.

Knowing Your Limits

Physical therapy is not a massage and it is not a visit to the spa. It can be difficult and grueling. You should expect to experience some discomfort as your body heals after surgery and you gradually regain strength and mobility. However, it is extremely important that you know your own physical limits when it comes to rehabilitation. It is the therapist’s job to supply you with exercises, stretches, and other modalities for recovery, but he or she cannot dictate how far you push your body. If you feel that you are overexerting yourself or are in severe pain, stop any activity you are doing immediately. Don’t be afraid to tell your therapist that you think you have reached your physical limit. There will be a learning curve for both of you as you determine what you can and can’t do after spine surgery. The most important things to keep in mind are to stay patient, stay positive, and stay in close communication with your therapist and your primary care physician.

Be Faithful to Your At-Home Exercises

One of the primary reasons that patients typically experience setbacks in their postsurgical rehabilitation is that they do not stay faithful to their physical therapy routine while at home. For the most part, the weekly or bi-weekly sessions that you spend with your physical therapist will be like classes or tutorials during which you should be learning exercises and stretches to perform at home. Make sure that you schedule these treatments into your day-to-day routine as best you can, whether that means taking frequent stretch breaks at work or making sure to do your strength-building exercises before bed.

Overall, remember that your physical therapist is there to guide you, encourage you, and educate you, but at the end of the day, nobody can help you recover from surgery but yourself. How quickly you recover or how well you regain your mobility will largely depend on your level of motivation and the time that you put in.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to physical therapy.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to physical therapy. http://www.spine-exercises.com/

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to physical therapy.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy