(HealthNewsDigest.com) – 1. PT will be tailored to your specific needs – Physical therapy is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, with all patients receiving the same treatment. Instead, once you’ve been cleared for PT after surgery – which typically happens 2 to 6 weeks later- your physical therapist will conduct an initial evaluation to assess exactly what you need. This evaluation will include taking a medical history, particularly of any surgery-related complications; a postural assessment, which looks at your spine while standing and sitting; range-of-motion tests to determine your spinal mobility; a flexibility assessment; and strength tests of not only your back muscles, but those in your abdomen, hips, thighs and even lower legs. Additionally, your physical therapist will assess your overall post-surgical function regarding your ability to work and participate in normal activities.
2. PT will help minimize your painControlling pain is a crucial first step in helping patients regain their strength, so physical therapists use several ways to help you minimize pain, including applying ice to key spots; moving the patient into certain positions; and using special electrical devices such as TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units that send stimulating pulses across skin and nerves.
3. PT will help retrain your musclesAfter spine surgery, muscles may need special retraining to regain strength and provide optimal stability to the spine and surrounding structures. A course of PT will achieve this by focusing on muscles in the incision area; muscles that were weakened by nerve problems before surgery; small muscles that surround each vertebra; and muscles and joints that can promote full range of motion in each patient, depending on their body type and normal physical activities.
4. PT will teach you exercises that are best for youExercise doesn’t just strengthen muscles and promote flexibility, it also helps spine surgery patients eliminate fatigue, move about safely and avoid re-injury. Physical therapists individualize patients’ exercise plans – including both stationary and aerobic exercise – based on knowledge of your specific type of spine surgery and the forces that would benefit your spine under different conditions. Much of a patient’s ability to return to favorite pre-surgery activities depends on their response to these exercises.
5. PT is a collaborative processPhysical therapy is a dynamic, interactive scenario, Yalamanchili says, not a situation where the patient is merely doing what’s ordered. One-on-one PT sessions typically include plenty of chances to ask questions, and therapists can explain what bodily changes have resulted from the patient’s surgery and what they can do to maximize the benefits of that surgery. It’s also a place you must work hard to reap the benefits.
Sridhar Yalamanchili, PT, MSPT, is Director of Rehabilitation at Atlantic Spine Center. www.atlanticspinecenter.com
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