Physical therapy and surgery are closely related for a number of reasons. For one, patients often undergo physical therapy for injuries and conditions to avoid surgery. Examples include knee injuries, degenerative spine conditions and shoulder issues, among others. 

If surgery is deemed to be necessary, physical therapy will then play a crucial role in the recovery process. With its focus on  improving function and promote the body’s healing process, physical therapy after surgery can lead to a decreased recovery time and better outcomes. 

Whether you’re looking to avoid surgery or you are planning for your recovery from an upcoming procedure, learning more about how physical therapy will benefit you is a very important first step in your return to the things you love to do.  

How physical therapy and surgery are closely connected

For patients recently diagnosed with a condition or injury, physical therapy is a highly effective first-line treatment. Physical therapists are experts in the functioning of the body’s musculoskeletal system and can identify certain mechanical and postural problems that may be contributing to pain and symptoms. 

With all the various treatments available in therapy, which include manual therapy, exercises for strengthening, stretching or retraining you to move in ways to decrease the stress to the body, you can develop a stronger and more resilient body that allows you to better manage your particular issue. In many cases, your injury can be successfully treated without having to resort to surgery. 

In some situations, though, surgery can start to look like the best possible chance for long-term relief and function if all other options have been exhausted. No matter what type of procedure is performed, however, surgery is still an invasive form of treatment that causes damage to surrounding tissue. 

This is where physical therapy plays a key role after surgery. Manual techniques can help to treat damaged tissue and improve the flow of blood to promote healing in and around the surgical site. Therapeutic exercise can help patients get moving as soon as possible while rebuilding strength and stability in the body. 

Reach out to the experts at Franklin Rehabilitation 

If you’d like to learn more about physical therapy and surgery, contact us today. Whether you’re trying to decrease your chances of needing surgery or you need rehabilitation for an upcoming or recently performed procedure, we can help. We’ll be glad to help you schedule your initial appointment to determine how one of our therapists can best address your needs.