As we get older, recovery after surgery can be challenging. Increased pain and decreased mobility can make it difficult to return to normal activities. Post surgery physical therapy is the best way to regain strength and improve mobility.
At Whitney Oaks Care Center, our physical therapy team specializes in helping our residents restore their independence. In this guide, we discuss how physical therapy can help you after surgery.
Why Do Seniors Need Physical Therapy After Surgery?
While surgery is beneficial for a person’s health, it also causes trauma to the body. You or your loved one will need to rest after it. But too much rest can lead to stiffness, muscle weakness, and other difficulties.
Post acute physical therapy involves safe exercises and movement to help seniors improve strength and regain balance. Typically, a physical therapist will create a rehabilitation plan. This will depend on the person’s surgery, recovery goals, and individual abilities.
How Can Physical Therapy Help Rebuild Strength?
When you’re here at Whitney Oaks Care Center, our physical therapy team will:
Slowly Reintroduce Movement
Post surgery physical therapy is a gradual process and shouldn’t be rushed. We will start with gentle exercises that will incrementally get harder. But the latter only happens as the resident’s strength and mobility improve.
Help Increase Muscle Strength
Sitting or lying down for long periods of time can lead to muscle weakness. This makes standing, walking, or other activities difficult.
Your physical therapist will introduce exercises that will help build muscle strength. As a person’s strength grows, exercises will become more challenging, but still within the resident’s abilities.
Work to Improve Balance & Stability
Post surgery physical therapy may involve balance and coordination exercises. This will help the residents feel more secure on their feet. Walking may require assistive devices or assistance at first. Walking exercises will help increase endurance and independence.
Help Reduce Stiffness & Increase Range of Motion
It’s not uncommon for residents to be stiff after surgery. A physical therapist will add stretches and exercises to increase mobility.
Depending on the senior, physical therapists may leverage exercises that closely resemble the resident’s everyday activities. These could include getting in and out of a chair, doing personal-care routines, and walking up and down stairs.
Care Is Always Personalized
No two people’s recovery is the same. So, our care team will create a personalized physical therapy plan. The goal is to get the senior back to their previous activity level.
Your physical therapist will monitor your progress and adjust as exercises as needed. Your recovery plan will be solely based on your recovery – not a set timeline.
Progress often takes time. But you should never give up. Consistency is key to recovery. Our team will ensure that you stay on track.
Trust the Expert Physical Therapy Team at Whitney Oaks Care Center
No matter what type of surgery you’ve had, our physical therapy team will provide you with personalized, compassionate care to aid in your recovery. Trust us to help you move towards greater independence and a higher quality of life.