Post-Surgical Rehabilitation at Monmouth County Pain Management

Pain management specialist oversees post-operative rehabilitation programs to help patients in our Red Bank, NJ office increase movement, build strength, and avoid future surgeries.

Any type of surgery can be a physically and mentally traumatic experience. It’s important to understand that it takes time and effort to regain full functioning after surgery. Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation offers a numbers of modalities—medical care, physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care—to help patients reduce pain and return to normal functioning after surgery.

The Role of Medical Care for Pain Management after Surgery

Doctors who specialize in pain management play a particularly important role for post-operative patients. At Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation, our Medical Director provides post-operative care by coordinating conservative, healthy rehabilitation plans. The purpose of this type of care is to help patients restore functioning, manage pain without excessive drug use, and avoid future surgeries.

Some patients experience excessive pain following surgery; these patients are unable to use healthy practices such as physical therapy, acupuncture, or chiropractic to reduce pain and regain mobility. In such cases, the pain management specialist at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation may use one of a number of minimally invasive, non-surgical methods of relieving pain. The purpose of these treatments is to help patients reduce pain enough to participate in physical therapy and another rehabilitation practices.

Minimally invasive procedures at Monmouth Pain and Rehab might include Epidural Steroid Injections, wherein a corticosteroid is injected into the epidural space in the spine—the area that surrounds the spinal sac and cushions the nerves and spinal cord. Other pain management techniques include Facet Joint Injections, which treat inflammation in the joints of the spine; Sacroiliac Joint Injections, to reduce pain and inflammation in the lower back; Sympathetic Nerve Blocks; and Trigger Point Injections.

Physical Therapy and Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

The Physical Therapists at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation typically work closely with our Medical Doctor to create and implement rehabilitation programs for post-surgical patients. Physical therapy after surgery can help patients maximize recovery and minimize future pain-related issues.

Regaining muscle function and strength is an important component in the post-surgical recovery process. Back pain, for example, is often the result of weak muscles that negatively affect the functioning of the spine and joints.

Physical therapy for post-surgical rehabilitation and pain management may include the following treatments:

• Therapeutic Exercise helps build the body’s flexibility, stability, range of motion, and strength.

• Heat Therapy increases circulation to affected areas, which enhances the flow of oxygen and nutrients in order to speed healing. Cold Therapy slows circulation in order to reduce inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms. Treatment often involves alternating between the two extremes.

• Electrotherapy is helpful in reducing pain, edema (swelling), muscle spasms, and muscle weakness.

• Spinal Decompression Traction reduces pain and helps the body to heal by removing pressure on the nerves.

• Ultrasound works by reaching deep into muscle tissues with sound waves to boost circulation, thereby speeding up the healing process. This technique alleviates pain, cramping, stiffness, and muscle spasms.

• Low Level Laser Therapy speeds up cellular production for faster healing. This therapy also works to prevent the formation of scar tissue.

Acupuncture after Surgery

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that works to relieve pain by using the body’s natural ability to heal and remedy itself. For example, it decreases the stimulation of nerve signals that lead to pain and reduces the release of chemicals that can cause inflammation. It prompts the release of serotonin, which interrupts pain signals before they reach the brain.

Acupuncture also helps with the release of endorphins, which are produced naturally by the body and can help patients cut back on the need for harmful drugs by taking advantage of the body’s natural painkilling abilities.