Significance of Occupational Therapy in Surgery Recovery

Occupational Therapy

Surgery can help patients with a variety of severe conditions and injuries that cannot be addressed properly otherwise. It can relieve pain, restore function, and improve your quality of life. However, healing doesn’t happen automatically after the surgical procedure.

What you do after is as crucial to recovery as the surgery. Here’s the significance of occupational therapy in your healing journey:

1. REGAINING MUSCLE STRENGTH AND BALANCE

Occupational therapy helps patients get back to their pre-surgery physical abilities. It can help build muscle strength and increase your range of motion to help you embark on everyday activities.

Depending on your surgery, you may also need to improve your sense of balance. Activities for standing and walking will help you regain confidence in your:

  • Center of gravity
  • Coordination
  • Postural control skills

You must regain these abilities under the watchful guidance of an experienced occupational therapist. That way, you can return to your typical activities safely and effectively.

2. INCREASING ENDURANCE

Recovering from any surgical procedure requires stamina and endurance. Occupational therapy aids patients in regaining energy to help them participate fully in daily functions.

Your therapist will design a personalized exercise program that gradually increases your endurance and helps you get back to normal activities.

3. IMPROVING COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING

Surgery can be exhausting and mentally draining, leaving patients with fatigue and pain that prevents them from having the ability or desire to return to full functionality. Occupational therapy helps improve cognitive functioning to help you think clearly, stay motivated, and be positive about your healing journey.

Your therapist will use strategies such as problem-solving activities or memory exercises to help you stay engaged and happy.

4. REDUCING PAIN AND DISCOMFORT

Surgery often causes postoperative pain, inflammation, and swelling in the affected area. Occupational therapy helps patients manage these symptoms through self-care strategies, such as:

  • Relaxation techniques
  • Targeted stretches
  • Guided meditation

It is also vital to practice proper posture while sitting and standing to help reduce stress on the surgical area – something occupational therapists can definitely help with.

5. MAXIMIZING SAFETY

Occupational therapy helps maximize safety during recovery. Your therapist will ensure that you can handle everyday tasks without significant risks.

They can also assess your home environment to ensure that it is safe and conducive for recovery. That includes doing the following:

  • Laying non-slip mats in the bathroom
  • Removing loose rugs from high-traffic areas
  • Installing handrails in spaces that need them

By doing so, you can be sure that your recovery process is safe and secure.

6. RELEARNING OR ADAPTING TO EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES

Post-surgery, it is common to experience difficulty in performing daily tasks. Occupational therapy helps you relearn or adapt to these activities and provides the necessary support as you heal.

Your therapist will recommend techniques that help you get back on your feet, such as:

  • Using adaptive devices
  • Learning how to make minor modifications to your daily routine
  • Changing some habits

7. IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH

Lastly, undergoing surgery can affect your mental health. You may experience depression or anxiety due to the pain, the change to your lifestyle, and the fear of having a permanent inability to live life on your own terms.

Occupational therapy can help reduce these symptoms by providing you with strategies to cope with the mental health impacts of surgery and recovery.

TRUSTED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN WAYNE COUNTY, OH

Overall, occupational therapy is a vital component of the recovery process. It helps you regain strength, endurance, cognitive functioning, and safety. It also provides strategies for relearning or adapting to everyday activities and improving your mental health. An occupational therapist will help you navigate recovery and return to your typical life.

Physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and psychologists may also help in rehabilitation, depending on your needs. These healthcare professionals work together to create an effective treatment plan for each patient.

Are you looking for occupational and physical therapy services near you? You can trust the

Wooster Community Hospital Health System‘s HealthPoint Rehabilitation Services. We pride our institution as the most compassionate Wooster Hospital. Our healthcare providers give comprehensive care to all patients, and we don’t turn away anyone, especially those with financial challenges. Call our friendly staff at (330) 202-3300, or submit an online request form to book a consultation.

We look forward to helping improve your quality of life!