Softening your Soft Tissues for Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery or any planned Surgery
Hip or Knee replacement surgeries are commonly performed operations when there is excessive wear and tear of the joint and it is causing pain and stiffness. Post-operation, rehab and exercises are essential to ensure positive results however these exercises can often be painful as muscles shorten and stiffen perhaps from the on-going pain and compensatory patterns and from post operative inflammation.
Pre-operation benefits
Massage prior to an operation will ensure healthy soft tissues with free fluid flow, importantly blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients and lymph which removes waste products, bacteria, and damaged cells hence aiding post-operative soft tissue recovery. It is also beneficial to relax the whole body and mind.
Post Operation
After an operation gentle Massage and Myofascial Release treatment is safe post limb surgery at any point (away from the external wound) and after other surgeries it is advisable to check with your Medical team first of all.
The benefits of treatment are again to aid fluid flow for soft tissue healing and recovery and positively stimulates the para-sympathetic (aka rest and digest) nervous system which essentially slows the human body down. This leads to the activation of more tranquil functions for repair and maintenance for a balanced and healthy body. Also hands-on treatment is beneficial around the surgery site (only when external wounds are fully healed) and for the associated joints to ensure good mobility and greater pain free range of movement. It is important for the internal soft tissues to heal according to how the body needs and you want to move.
This all means the post-operative rehab and strength exercises are more likely to be effective too.
If you are awaiting surgery or are post-operative, or know someone who is, I am always available to discuss how I can help.