Post-operative rehabilitation can cause much stress and emotional strain on your body and mind. You’re unable to move freely around like you use to doing. You might be a very active and independent person and now you have to rely on someone else to help you with the most basic of tasks. Who knows how long they will take when your thirsty you want to quench your thirst right away! Feeling hindered and handicapped can put such a drain on your mental wellbeing and can cause issues with friends and family members. You could potentially snap on your caretaker, not on purpose, but because you feel so inadequate, when, before surgery, you were able-bodied and full of energy.
Well, during surgery your body is still conscious while your mind is “sleep.” So, your body still feels everything that the doctor is doing to you in the midst of repairing your current surgical need. Because of this, your body is stressing and doing its best to cope with pain and foreign occurrences that it isn’t use to. This results in physical and mental fatigue. Think of it in terms of the newly dubbed societal word “Hangry.” Have you ever gotten angry with someone that you usually don’t get angry with for small reasons? Or just been irritated by the smallest things, only to find out that you haven’t eaten and as soon as you do your mood changes? It is the same thing with your body and mind after surgery, it wants to get back to a state of wellbeing.
Post-Operative Rehabilitation Options
When discussing the best treatment options for post-operative rehabilitation, the first thing you should be aware of is the type of surgery that you had and then to seek out a professional spine physio for any advice on exercises or rehabilitation services tailored to your specific spinal issues. Usually, rehabilitation services are provided to you at the same hospital that you received the surgery in. Below are a few things to consider:
1. Consider a rehabilitation program with people that have the ability to “calm your mind.” The way you think and how you view the process is just as important as the physical aspect of it. Rehabilitation can be a difficult task for some people. Not everyone has a strong mind and will to work through the pain that comes with it. It takes time and you need to have patience because if you rush you could potentially do more damage than any good. It will be a great challenge and an even better feat when you successfully complete rehab and regain optimal strength and mobility. Have no doubt and work it out!
2. Depending on the type of surgery that you had will determine the type of rehab you are going to go through. Nowadays there are specialists for each part of the body and they each have specific exercises for you to do to help get you back to peak performance. Like previously stated, therapists are there to educate you and motivate you. They have all the knowledge and expertise for you to be comfortable with them providing A1 therapy.
3. Consider the experience and methods of the physiotherapist Bondi Junction or how they rank in their given rehab field of expertise. Some centres just have better therapists than others. That is not to say that other therapists are horrible at what they do, but some just have a better understanding and are overall more innovative with their practices. You’ll always want to go with the highest-rated services as they have more to offer than those of the inferior, of course, that’s if you have the necessary means to obtain these quality services.
4. Your insurance can often play a factor in the options that you will be able to choose from for your rehab services. Too often, very deserving people go without the proper back pain physiotherapy rehabilitation due to either no insurance, at which they could not afford it or people with basic insurance that has a high copay or doesn’t cover certain services i.e. rehabilitation. There are certain stipulations or requirements a patient has to meet before the doctor can deem them worthy of rehabilitation services. So, know your insurance and if you will be able to get proper rehabilitation after surgery. It’s sad but it’s the world we live in.
There are many options available for you to receive the proper post-operative rehabilitation. You have to research what’s out there and find a service specifically for your requirements. Remember, rehab isn’t easy, but if you stay focused and believe in your physiotherapy and most importantly yourself you will be back in tip-top shape in no time.
About the Author
Tim Adams is a leading musculoskeletal back pain specialist Sydney who specialises in both spine and headache physiotherapy. With over 20 years’ experience, Tim is referred to by some of Australia’s leading neurosurgeons to help with post-operative rehabilitation from his boutique spine physiotherapy clinic.
