Exercises to Support Post-Surgery
Recovery
Exercises to Support Post-Surgery
Recovery
Exercises to Support Post-Surgery Recovery
June 13, 2025
Surgery challenges both the body and mind, making post-surgery rehabilitation essential for a complete and efficient recovery. With customized exercises and treatments, this process helps restore strength, mobility, and an active lifestyle. Here's an overview of recovery exercises used during different phases.
Initial Phase of Post-Surgery Recovery
During the initial weeks following surgery, you’ll begin with light, professionally-guided exercises to kickstart your healing. Starting movement early is key to ensuring a smoother recovery process!
Exercises for Breathing and Circulation
Proper circulation and blood clot prevention are crucial during early recovery. Rehabilitation may include deep breathing exercises to support lung function and circulation, along with ankle pumps or devices to maintain blood flow while activity is limited.
Range of Motion Exercises
Early recovery involves gentle, therapist-guided exercises to maintain joint flexibility and prevent stiffness, such as ankle pumps, wrist rotations, knee bends, and passive movements.
Isometric Exercises
Isometric exercises strengthen muscles without joint movement, making them suitable for post-surgical rehab. Examples include quad sets, glute squeezes, and abdominal contractions.
Mobility and Walking
During your recovery, you will gradually start focusing on mobility. Initially, this may involve using assistive devices or walking with your physical therapist's guidance. As your strength improves, you'll be able to cover longer distances and achieve greater independence in movement.
Mid to Late Stage
Months after surgery, physical therapy remains essential for complete recovery. During this period, you'll engage in specific exercises designed to improve health and mobility in the later stages of rehabilitation.
Cardiovascular Exercises
Physical therapists use low-impact exercises to improve heart health during post-surgical recovery without straining the surgical site.
Stability Training
Your surgery's location may affect your ability to maintain balance and stability, requiring targeted assistance to avoid falls during recovery. Activities like single-leg stands, balance boards, specific walking exercises, and other techniques can help enhance coordination and stability post-surgery.
Functional Activities
During recovery, your physical therapist will help you regain daily function through tailored exercises, progressing from simple movements to more challenging tasks like standing, climbing stairs, and lifting objects.
Advanced Recovery Stage
In the advanced rehabilitation phase, you'll work on restoring pre-surgery fitness and sports performance, with guidance from your physical therapist to reach your personal goals.
Gradual Strength Building
Progressive resistance training focuses on steadily increasing the level of resistance to build muscle strength. This typically includes exercises with weights, resistance bands, or fitness machines.
Sports Training
If you're looking to return to sports or physical activity after surgery, Fresh Meadows Physical Therapy can help. Our team supports you through every stage of recovery, from early movement to advanced training. Book an appointment today and begin your path to healing.
Request An Appointment
Please fill out this form and
we will contact you about scheduling.
By checking this box, I consent to receive transactional messages related to my account, orders, or services I have requested. These messages may include appointment reminders, order confirmations, and account notifications among others. Message frequency may vary. Message & Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out.
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Exercises to Support Post-Surgery Recovery
June 13, 2025
Surgery challenges both the body and mind, making post-surgery rehabilitation essential for a complete and efficient recovery. With customized exercises and treatments, this process helps restore strength, mobility, and an active lifestyle. Here's an overview of recovery exercises used during different phases.
Initial Phase of Post-Surgery Recovery
During the initial weeks following surgery, you’ll begin with light, professionally-guided exercises to kickstart your healing. Starting movement early is key to ensuring a smoother recovery process!
Exercises for Breathing and Circulation
Proper circulation and blood clot prevention are crucial during early recovery. Rehabilitation may include deep breathing exercises to support lung function and circulation, along with ankle pumps or devices to maintain blood flow while activity is limited.
Range of Motion Exercises
Early recovery involves gentle, therapist-guided exercises to maintain joint flexibility and prevent stiffness, such as ankle pumps, wrist rotations, knee bends, and passive movements.
Isometric Exercises
Isometric exercises strengthen muscles without joint movement, making them suitable for post-surgical rehab. Examples include quad sets, glute squeezes, and abdominal contractions.
Mobility and Walking
During your recovery, you will gradually start focusing on mobility. Initially, this may involve using assistive devices or walking with your physical therapist's guidance. As your strength improves, you'll be able to cover longer distances and achieve greater independence in movement.
Mid to Late Stage
Months after surgery, physical therapy remains essential for complete recovery. During this period, you'll engage in specific exercises designed to improve health and mobility in the later stages of rehabilitation.
Cardiovascular Exercises
Physical therapists use low-impact exercises to improve heart health during post-surgical recovery without straining the surgical site.
Stability Training
Your surgery's location may affect your ability to maintain balance and stability, requiring targeted assistance to avoid falls during recovery. Activities like single-leg stands, balance boards, specific walking exercises, and other techniques can help enhance coordination and stability post-surgery.
Functional Activities
During recovery, your physical therapist will help you regain daily function through tailored exercises, progressing from simple movements to more challenging tasks like standing, climbing stairs, and lifting objects.
Advanced Recovery Stage
In the advanced rehabilitation phase, you'll work on restoring pre-surgery fitness and sports performance, with guidance from your physical therapist to reach your personal goals.
Gradual Strength Building
Progressive resistance training focuses on steadily increasing the level of resistance to build muscle strength. This typically includes exercises with weights, resistance bands, or fitness machines.
Sports Training
If you're looking to return to sports or physical activity after surgery, Fresh Meadows Physical Therapy can help. Our team supports you through every stage of recovery, from early movement to advanced training. Book an appointment today and begin your path to healing.
Request An Appointment
Please fill out this form and
we will contact you about scheduling.
By checking this box, I consent to receive transactional messages related to my account, orders, or services I have requested. These messages may include appointment reminders, order confirmations, and account notifications among others. Message frequency may vary. Message & Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
