Physical Therapy Before NeuroCare Network

Physical Therapy Before and After Surgery

It is most helpful to be familiar with the specific motions and positions which will be required immediately after surgery. The more you have practiced the motions involved with the following activities the easier it will be to move correctly after surgery. This can help you avoid surprises as you resume activity after surgery.

General Rules for a Healthy Spine

Avoid twisting, including rapid across the body motions with arms or legs.

Pushing is usually safer than pulling.

Avoid bending. Use your legs to get up and down.

Use lumbar support behind the low back when sitting. It should apply enough pressure to the low back to support the arch in your back and encourage the shoulders and upper back to pull back (in a better posture). If it is uncomfortable, ask your therapist to check the fit. You may need another size or firmness.

Aerobic exercise is your best friend. It delivers oxygen more quickly to the tissues to help healing. It improves your METABOLISM to help weight control. As well as again help speed the healing process. It can also help with pain control and mood elevations with endorphin release and it helps your heart and lungs too!

Aerobic exercise includes walking, stationary cycling, swimming, or any continuous activity which elevates your heart rate to a target level. Aerobic exercise must be done for at least twenty minutes to be effective. Talk to your therapist to determine the best aerobic exercise for you.

Proper Back Mechanics

Up and down sequence from standing to floor.

Keeping back upright, go down on to one knee,
Take the other leg around to a full kneeling position,
Lower the hips to the floor on one side of the legs,
Lower the upper body to the floor staying on the side and finishing in a side lying position,
Log roll to the back or stomach.
To get up from the floor, do this sequence in reverse.

In and out of bed starting with sitting on the side of the bed.

Always lie on your SIDE first, keeping the legs bent.
Practice "log rolling," that is, rolling without twisting your back and keeping your knees bent.
Always turn to your side BEFORE trying to sit up. If you drop your feet over the side of the bed, your legs can act as a counter-weight to help your upper body come up more easily.

Up and down from chair.

Standing up involves FORWARD as well as upward motion. Lean the upper body and head forward to help you stand.
Use chair arms to help you push up and forward. Use your hands pushing on your legs if you have no chair arms. Walk your hands up your legs.
Practice sitting down as slowly as possible. It will help you strengthen your legs.
Do not sit for more than 20 minutes at a time. Either get up or stretch both arms and legs slowly and shift your position slightly.

Moving and lifting techniques.

DO NOT EXCEED your 10 lb. lifting limit until released by the doctor.

Get Close.
Stay Low.
Feet Apart and Bend Your Knees.
Don't Twist.
Breathe Normally.
Observe these principles even with very light lifting.

Spine Stabilization

Learn basic spine stabilization, especially finding and maintaining a neutral spine.

Stretching

Learn proper stretching techniques. Muscles and tendons tend to shorten after injury, surgery, or inactivity. To an extent, ALL THREE of these factors will make stretching a very important part of your program. The more you do early on, the easier it will be later. The following rules will tell you how to stretch effectively.

Take the stretch to the point when you feel a moderate pull, but NO PAIN.
Hold for 30 seconds.
Be sure you understand where you should feel the pull with each stretch. Ask your therapist if you are not sure.
Go into all stretches and release them with SLOW MOTIONS.
Remember stretching will increase the number of muscle cells, so A LONG MUSCLE IS A STRONG MUSCLE.

In other words, stretching is not a waste of time.