Neck pain can be caused by factors such as poor posture, muscle strain, injury, or an underlying health condition. Learn about how to get relief from neck pain.
Neck pain can be caused by factors such as poor posture, muscle strain, injury, or an underlying health condition. Learn about how to get relief from neck pain.
Brock, one of our accredited Back Program practitioners, explains sciatica pain and treatment.
Preparing for surgery can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. Whether you are facing a minor procedure or a major operation, it is natural to feel a range of emotions as you navigate the journey ahead. In this blog, we will explore strategies for preparing for surgery, as well as tips for managing the recovery process.
Regardless of the type of surgery you are about to undergo, the best course of action in the lead up is to follow the instructions provided by your doctor. This will outline when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure, and any medications to avoid.
In addition to this, you may like to consider implementing a proactive exercise program that can help improve the rate and success of recovery post-surgery. This process is referred to as ‘prehabilitation’ or ‘prehab’.
Studies have shown that by optimising a patient’s condition before surgery, prehabilitation can help reduce the risk of complications after surgery, reduce the recovery window, and improve overall quality of life. Prehab allows the patient’s muscles and joints to reach the best shape possible before surgery, kickstarting the rehabilitation process, speeding up recovery and stabilising pain. Prehabilitation programs can vary depending on the client’s needs and the type of surgery they are having. Generally clients will be prescribed a tailored exercise program to improve their strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. This can help them better tolerate the stress of surgery and recover more quickly afterward.
This question is tricky to answer. The procedure will vary significantly, depending on the type of surgery being performed, the part of the body involved, and the patient’s overall health. The duration of a surgical procedure can also vary depending on the complexity of the operation and the patient’s overall health. Some surgeries are relatively short and can be completed in a few hours – such as appendectomy, knee reconstruction, and a mastectomy. Other more complex surgeries can take several hours or even days to complete.
Recovering from surgery
It’s important to recognise that everyone responds differently to surgery. Two people who undergo the exact same procedure may have vastly different recovery processes out the other side.
This can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:
Type of surgery: This is possibly the biggest determinant of the recovery window. Some surgeries may only require a few days of recovery, while others may require several weeks or even months.
Age: Younger people tend to recover faster from surgery than older adults. This is because younger people tend to have stronger immune systems, better circulation, and fewer chronic health conditions.
Overall health: Similar to the above, people who are in good overall health tend to recover more quickly from surgery than those who have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.
Lifestyle factors: Factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise can slow down the recovery process.
Quality of post-operative care: The quality of care that a patient receives after surgery can also affect their recovery window. Patients who receive appropriate pain management, wound care, and exercise therapy tend to recover more quickly than those who do not.
Complications: The occurrence of complications such as infections, bleeding, or other medical issues can also prolong the recovery window.
Mental health: The mental health of the patient can also play a role in the recovery window. Patients who are anxious, depressed, or stressed may take longer to recover than those who are in a positive and relaxed state of mind.
At Atkins Health, we regularly work with clients in the lead up to, and following, a surgical procedure. Implementing a tailored prehabilitation and rehabilitation plan gives the body the absolute best chance at bouncing back.
Our rehabilitation exercise plans incorporate a blend of movements tailored to address the area impacted by the surgery. This will typically include a variation of the following exercise types.
Range-of-motion exercises:
Strengthening exercises:
Balance exercises:
Cardiovascular exercises:
Working with an experienced exercise physiologist can provide education and guidance on proper exercise form and technique. We also monitor your progress and adjust your program as needed to ensure that you are making steady progress towards your goals.
If you have an upcoming surgery, why not reach out to one of our exercise experts. We can guide you through a personalised exercise program to help you bounce back in your best shape possible.
Rewire neural pathways through exercise physiology, to help manage Parkinson’s Disease and its symptoms including tremors, imbalance and stiffness.
Hydrotherapy has many benefits, from increasing mobility, reducing back pain, increasing muscle strength and aiding stiff joints – the ability to improve senior health and those with a disability or recovering from surgery is significant.
Prehabilitation helps reduce the risk of injury, improve postoperative outcomes and enhance well-being. Learn more here.
Introducing Brock, our newest team member and Gold Coast physio at our Runaway Bay clinic
Lorenzo explains the different options and plans available that can be used to cover your Allied Health care services with Atkins Health.