Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

If you are slated to undergo spine surgery in the future, then you can also expect physical therapy to be a focal point during your recovery period. Physical therapy is essential for making the strongest and fullest recovery possible, but many people are so focused on procedure that they aren’t truly prepared for what to expect during PT. We want you to have the best chance at making a strong recovery with the help of a physical therapy program after spine surgery, so in today’s blog, we discuss some helpful things to know before you begin rehabilitative PT.

What To Know About Post-Op PT

We’ve found that these messages are most helpful when conveyed to patients early in the process of treating their spinal condition.

• Rest Won’t Drive Your Recovery, But PT Will – Many people think that surgery corrects the underlying spinal issue and that all they need to do is let time heal their surgical wounds and they’ll be back to normal. Rest and waiting for healing to run its course will not get you back to a pre-injury level of fitness and it certainly won’t help you become the strongest version of yourself after surgery. However, physical therapy can help you do that. PT will strengthen weakened structures, work to reestablish mobility, expand flexibility and ensure muscles and soft tissues re-acclimate to handling normal amounts of stress. If you’re going to commit to one aspect of your recovery, make it physical therapy.
• You’ll Get Out What You Put In – We tell all our patients that when it comes to physical therapy, you’ll get out what you put in. Physical therapy isn’t going to be easy. It shouldn’t be painful, but it’s not going to be a walk in the park, and that’s a good thing. Your body will make the best gains when it’s pushed outside its comfort zone, and we know that it’s not always easy to push yourself to be physically uncomfortable. Know that it will be worth it in the end. The effort you put in during your physical therapy sessions will be seen as you progress through your rehab. Don’t sell yourself short with an ineffective recovery because you didn’t give much of an effort during your PT sessions.
• PT Sets The Stage For Long-Term Health – What you do in the weeks that follow your surgical procedure will set the stage for your long-term health and function. This recovery period is a critical time when tissues are healing and scar tissue can develop. Early physical therapy helps ensure comfortable movement and breaks up potentially restrictive scar tissue. If you wait too long to begin PT or really throw yourself into the program, you may miss the prime recovery window. Don’t have limitations years down the road because you didn’t commit to your PT sessions in the weeks that followed your surgery.
• It’s Not Easy – This ties in with the second point, but know that physical therapy will not be easy. It won’t be comfortable and it won’t be easy, but we promise to try and make it engaging and suited to your specific needs and goals. It will be worth it, but it’s designed to be challenging, so know that coming into your program.
• PT Should Be Two Way – Finally, although your physical therapist will be giving you direction and guidance, the best PT sessions are the ones that are two-way in nature. Tell your PT what you’re experiencing, what’s challenging, what’s too easy and what you want to be able to do in the future. Physical therapists are not mind readers, and the more information you give them to work with, the better they will be at tailoring a program to your specific challenges and long-term goals. Your PT may have more information about how to help the body recover following a spinal procedure, but you know more about your body than they do, so expect that the flow of information should be two-way during your sessions.

For more information about making a strong recovery after spine surgery, or to talk to a physician about specific symptoms you’re dealing with, connect with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

Comments are closed.