Aging Gracefully and with Great Health

What Is Orthopedic Rehab?

2 July 2021 by For Content

Injuries can occur while you're working, playing, or driving your car. They can occur at any time, and some severe injuries require rehab or a combination of surgery and rehab to fully heal. Orthopedics is a kind of medicine that deals with a person's muscles and bones. Orthopedic rehab is designed to help people fully recover after losing body function due to injury or medical treatment. Learning more about orthopedic rehab can help you better understand your healing journey. Here are four types of treatment that are usually included in the injury rehab process:

1. Inpatient Treatment

After any illness or injury, your doctors' goal is to help you regain your independence and your ability to perform tasks necessary for everyday life. Depending on the severity of your injury or surgery, you may not be equipped to take care of yourself initially. Patients who need a high level of care can be best helped through inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment is a type of residential treatment. In addition to receiving orthopedic rehab care, you will also be attended to by doctors and nurses as you recuperate in a rehab facility.

2. Physical Therapy

For many people, physical therapy will be the most important part of their orthopedic rehab journey. Physical therapy is the practice that will help you restore lost strength and flexibility due to your surgery or injuries. Physical therapists have studied human anatomy extensively. They can identify muscle weaknesses and imbalances that must be corrected. Your physical therapist will assign you exercises designed to safely and gradually get your body back into good working order.

3. Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be an important part of orthopedic injury rehab. Injured body parts are often rife with tension, which can cause muscles to seize, generating more pain. A massage can encourage your muscles to relax so healing can take place. Massage can also encourage blood circulation, which is also important for overall healing.

4. Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is an excellent supplement to the strengthening and stretching work performed in orthopedic rehab. Occupational therapy is primarily concerned with helping you perform the tasks that you need to accomplish in your everyday life. An occupational therapist can help you relearn how to do important things like buttoning clothes, writing, and even driving a car. If your capabilities have changed, your occupational therapist can show you helpful modifications you can make so you can still complete tasks in a different way.

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