Why Surgery Doesn’t Have to Be Your Only Option
Do you suffer from a painful orthopedic condition such as spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis? Many think surgical intervention is the only way they’ll ever find relief. However, you have another option: physical therapy at Advantage Physical Therapy!
There’s no denying that surgery is a significant decision–and one that brings with it several risks, including blood clots, infections, and more. That’s why most doctors will encourage you to consider your options before booking a surgeon. For orthopedic concerns, that means looking to physical therapy. In fact, physical therapy is actually a frontline treatment for several musculoskeletal conditions, from arthritis to ligament injuries, meaning you absolutely should try it first! Regular physical therapy treatments can help delay your surgery–and, in some cases, avoid it altogether.
If you feel you may be on the path to needing surgery, don’t hesitate to give our team a call. We’ll provide specific information about how our physical therapists can help you avoid or delay surgery.
Conditions That Respond Well to Physical Therapy
People opt for surgery to reduce pain and improve their functionality and mobility. The good news is that physical therapy can do exactly that for several different musculoskeletal conditions, including the following:
- Osteoarthritis: People with severe osteoarthritis often resort to total joint replacements to address their symptoms. But if you can begin physical therapy early on, you can slow the condition’s progression.
- Partial Ligament Tears: While a full ligament tear typically requires surgical intervention, less severe ligament injuries respond well to physical therapy.
- Spinal Stenosis: This condition causes a painful narrowing in the spinal column, but you can manage your pain and mobility restrictions with gentle, targeted exercise.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: A common side effect of aging, physical therapy is more beneficial for treating DDD than surgery in most cases.
- Herniated Discs: This is another condition that physical therapy can generally resolve more easily than surgery.
You Had Surgery–But You’re Still Struggling with Pain!
Many people mistakenly believe that surgery is a cure-all: that once they work through their rehabilitation, they’ll be back to their old selves. While this is true sometimes, other times, people find that they’re still struggling with pain or limited mobility after a surgical procedure.
If this has been your experience, then know that physical therapy may be the tool you need to find lasting relief. Just as the team at Advantage Physical Therapy can help people avoid or delay surgery, we can also ensure your surgery provides you with a successful outcome. What can we do?
- Manual therapy helps with pain and range of motion restrictions. These hands-on techniques can gradually help restore your mobility over time.
- Mobility exercises take things a step further in terms of restoring your range of motion.
- Strengthening exercises will help build muscular strength and endurance to provide support and stability to the affected joint.
- Functional training will help you relearn movements you thought you’d lost. We can also help improve gait or balance and help you perform day-to-day activities like going up or down stairs more easily.
If you’re still struggling with pain and mobility after an orthopedic surgery, call us to schedule an appointment. We’ll work together to find a plan that suits your needs and goals!
Patient Success Story
“I came in with a rotator cuff problem. Couldn’t do pretty much anything. Hard to reach most directions, hard to sleep on that muscle. Today, I am able to reach, sleep and do most of the activities I couldn’t, probably all of them! Thanks.”
– Margaret C.
Physical Therapy vs. Surgery: Here’s What We Can Offer
The exact details of your physical therapy treatment will vary based on several factors, including the condition or injury, your current health status, and your overall goals. Our team will work closely with you to develop a customized plan that meets your needs.
Generally speaking, we’ll begin with an extensive evaluation to help us get to the root of your discomfort. From there, we’ll pull from several different techniques to help you manage pain, eliminate restrictions in your range of motion, and improve your overall function.
Ultimately, our goal is the same as any orthopedic surgery: to help you live a rich, active lifestyle, free from pain and immobility. However, we can do it with a few extra benefits:
- Lower Costs: Surgeries are far more expensive than physical therapy. Comparisons in prices estimate that surgery costs at least $2 per year for every $1 spent on physical therapy.
- Less Time: Surgery is a highly invasive procedure that requires lengthy rehabilitation. Healing alone typically takes several weeks, and it can take up to a year before you’ve fully rehabilitated–during which time you’ll be doing extensive physical therapy anyway. Why not skip the extra step?
- Decreased Risks: Surgery brings a host of medical risks, from blood clots to dependency on painkillers. Because physical therapy is non-invasive, the risk is minimal (especially compared to surgery). It also offers drug-free pain relief options.
That said, seeking physical therapy treatment sooner rather than later is essential–this is especially true for degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. It’s also essential you keep active outside of our clinic. Many of these conditions benefit from regular movement, so you’ll want to find an exercise program that suits your needs (something our therapists can help you with).
And if you do wind up needing surgery down the road, you’ll already be prepared for your rehabilitation after the procedure!
Skip The Knife; Try Physical Therapy Instead
If you have a painful musculoskeletal condition, don’t resort to surgery – visit Advantage Physical Therapy first to find out if physical therapy might be a better solution for you. Call us today to get started.
Service Spotlight: Pre-Surgical Physical Therapy
Do you have surgery planned soon? It’s natural to be concerned about how well the surgery is going or how long the recovery will take. The prospect of surgery can be both intimidating and frightening. Many people participate in post-operative physical therapy exercises as part of their treatment plan. However, completing the pre-surgical recovery plan has several benefits!
Fortunately, at Advantage Physical Therapy we can help you put your mind at ease. Call us today to learn more about how you can benefit from pre-surgical physical therapy!
How can pre-hab help me recover?
Surgery can have a crippling effect on the body, so it is often performed when there are no alternatives.
According to the National Institutes of Health, having pre-surgical therapy will improve your surgery results and shorten your recovery period.
Pre-hab exercises are designed to improve the range of motion and movement habits before and after surgery. Pre-hab aids in the preparation of the body for surgery by increasing intensity and facilitating pain relief before surgery.
When you are as strong, flexible, and healthy as you can be after surgery, you will be able to regain normal function much more quickly. By consulting with one of our physical therapists, you can find out what treatment plan is best for you to achieve optimum results.
Upcoming FREE Workshops!
Mark your calendar for our upcoming workshops on January 7th and 21st at 5pm. Click below or call the clinic today to reserve your spot in one of our upcoming workshops.
Resolution Rescue: Fall in Love with a Healthier You
Cupid’s arrow may have missed its mark when it comes to your New Year’s Resolutions. Are you already feeling the sting of defeat? Don’t let your goals flatline! It’s common to lose steam by February, and here’s why:
- Overly Ambitious Goals: You shot for the moon, but life got in the way.
- Lack of a Solid Plan: “Winging it” often leads to a crash and burn.
- Ignoring Your Body’s Signals: Pain and discomfort are your body’s way of saying, “Slow down!”
- Doing it Alone: Lack of support can lead to giving up when challenges arise.
FYZICAL is Your Resolution Rescue Partner!
This Valentine’s month, show yourself some love by letting FYZICAL help you get back on track. Our expert physical therapists are here to be your partner in achieving a healthier, happier you. We can help you create realistic goals, design a safe and effective plan, and provide the support you need to succeed.
Physical therapy isn’t just for pain relief. We’ll help you move better, feel stronger, and prevent injuries so you can confidently pursue your goals. With our guidance, you can enjoy better outcomes and a more fulfilling journey to a healthier lifestyle and maybe fall in love with exercise along the way! Get active safely, avoid injuries, improve your health, and your heart will thank you.
Don’t let your resolutions become a distant memory. Call us today to schedule an appointment, and let us help you find success and reclaim your health in 2025!
