Exercise Physiology in SA: Post-Surgical Exercise Physiology

Depending on the operation, early return to movement and exercise is vital. However, this is often challenging without advice. 

Exercise physiologists are university-trained fitness professionals in exercise physiology who can lead you by means of your healing after surgery. They will factor in your specialist’s post-surgery instructions and adapt physical activity programs for you at home. 

Pre-habilitation 

Many patients undergoing major operative procedures experience significant reductions in their functional capacity post surgery. These reductions are linked with a lengthy recovery period that might threaten longer-term independence. Pre-hab programs help to reduce these losses by motivating early return to physical activity. They also advocate behavioural changes such as dietary supplementation, smoking cessation, and physical and mental health promotion. 

Studies demonstrate that patients who participate in a pre-hab program before a planned operation encounter reduced post-operative pain Levels and improved functioning. Many investigations have also proved that participants encounter less anxiety about their surgery. In addition, some patients may find that the activity-based training program helps them to feel more prepared for their upcoming operation. However, some barriers to participation in pre-hab programs have been identified. These include shortage of knowledge, fear, and time constraints. Healthcare professionals from InertiaHealthGroup can help conquer these barriers by educating patients about the benefits of pre-habilitation and its effectiveness in improving post-operative outcomes. 

Post-operative rehabilitation 

Post-operation rehabilitation is a protocol that helps you restore your full physical capability after surgical procedure. It comprises exercises and treatments that help your body recover from surgery. These treatments are formulated to lower pain and improve mobility. They also include strengthening exercises that build strength around the surgical area. This is a vital step, as increased joint movement without a related increase in power can lead to injury. 

Depending on your condition, your doctor might recommend specific home exercise programs to follow. These exercises can help you restore your strength, flexibility, and practical ability. Generally, you should start with low-impact exercises and steadily increase the intensity of your workouts as your body heals. You can also consult with an Exercise Physiologist in Adelaide for guidance and support. 

Cardiac rehabilitation 

Surgery to rectify a heart issue can be highly distressing, but heart rehabilitation is essential for long-term healing and preclusion of further heart problems. Doctors often suggest it for patients who have undergone a myocardial infarction or have cardiac failure, an abnormal cardiac rhythm (arrhythmia), or have experienced angioplasty or stent operations. 

The first phase of cardiac recovery is usually an outpatient, medically supervised, monitored physical activity program. In this period, a qualified exercise physiologist will conduct an workout stress test and formulate your initial exercise prescription. 

Throughout this phase, you will attend cardiac rehabilitation sessions 2 to a few times per week for six to eight weeks. A medical team can monitor you to see how your physique responds to exercise and how you manage any medications. Once you have completed this program, an physical activity physiologist might help you set up an ongoing exercise routine at your Adelaide home. This shall prevent further heart problems and foster a healthy lifestyle that can last a lifetime. 

Abdominal rehabilitation 

Diverse forms of abdominal surgeries require post-operative rehabilitation. This comprises laparoscopic surgery, which involves understanding how to handle increases in intra-abdominal pressures to protect the surgical sites. 

Exercise Physiologists can aid you in returning to movement with a protected and progressive program for these procedures. This is achieved without demanding you to go through a hospital-based program initially. Our team is able to communicate with your specialist to ensure that our rehabilitation program accords with the guidelines in the surgery instructions. 

Hinging on the surgery, we are going to help you begin with mild movements, such as walking and then gradually escalate this over time. We aim to restore you back to the activities you love carefully and quickly.