The Benefits of Low-Impact Exercises in Postoperative Recovery

During post-operative recovery, exercise plays an important role in helping patients regain strength. However the type of exercise is significant. Exercising too much or too little will affect the speed and effectiveness of your recovery. The best way to regain your strength is to do consistent, low-impact exercises.

Patients in post operative convalescent homes are often given guidelines on which low impact exercises are best for them and how often they should be done.

The following guide explains why low-impact exercises are so important in postoperative recovery. It can be used by medical staff to explain why exercise is so good to help encourage patients. And it is useful for patients to understand why making the effort – and of course exercise is an effort when you first start – can really help contribute to your overall well-being.

Benefits of Low-Impact Exercises in Postoperative Recovery

1. Promotes Faster Healing

• Increased circulation—Low-impact exercises such as walking or gentle cycling stimulate and improve overall circulation. The increased blood flow contributes to decreasing any swelling – which is a common postoperative condition. By keeping your blood flowing through moderate exercise – as opposed to sitting stationary for hours at a time – can make the recovery process less painful and can contribute to a faster healing.
• Reduces Swelling – Swelling is a natural response to surgery but can hinder recovery if left unchecked. Low-impact exercises can help mitigate this swelling by encouraging lymphatic drainage and improving circulation. This reduction in swelling contributes to a more comfortable recovery experience, allowing patients to engage more readily in their rehabilitation process.
• Shortens Recovery Time—Patients who adopt low-impact exercise as part of their rehabilitation programme usually experience shorter recovery times. Movement helps patients avoid the complications or side effects that may arise from prolonged periods of inactivity, including stiffness and loss of muscular strength.

2. Reduces Risk of Complications

• Minimises Blood Clots—Blood clots can develop if the patient does not move for a considerable time. Low-intensity exercises like leg lifts or even gentle walking increase the flow of blood in the legs and therefore help to prevent clotting. Such exercises will also make patients feel more confident about their recovery.
• Helps counter Muscle Atrophy— Muscular atrophy (where your muscles thin or become less strong) can also be considered to be a post-operative consequence. This is because all patients necessarily undergo various degrees of reduced activities. Low-impact exercises can enable the patient to involve their muscles during such times without placing too much demand on them. Gradual involvement helps to preserve muscle mass and strength, which are indispensable to a successful rehabilitation process.
• Helps to prevent Joint Stiffness – Patients whose surgeries are followed by a period of immobilisation are likely to suffer from stiffness in their joints. Low-impact activities will enhance joint mobility, decrease the risk of stiffness, and promote overall flexibility. Maintaining the integrity of the joint is essential after surgeries such as hip replacement surgery or knee replacement surgery.

3. Enhances Pain Management

• Stimulates Endorphins – Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are hormones which help reduce the feeling of pain and, at the same time, enhance your mood. You will find that if you have less pain, you feel you can do more during the day and a positive frame of mind helps you feel better during your recovery. When you have convalescent care after surgery the medical team’s positive attitude and targeted care plans helps result in a more positive recovery.
• Encourages Relaxation – Understandably, post-operative patients are often anxious so any relaxation techniques can help with the recovery process. Low impact exercise helps you to relax so you feel less tension and anxiety. They can be considered meditation in motion! If you are concentrating on doing low impact movements, your mind is distracted from pain so you feel better and more positive.
• Provides Distraction – Low-impact exercises can constructively distract your thoughts away from pain and discomfort. The gentle movements and more focused breathing can shift your train of thought away from negative thoughts and thereby help you to cope better during the post operative recovery period.

3. Supports Mental Health

• Lowers Anxiety – Physical activity will lead to the release of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter responsible for happiness and good mood. This chemical is key to helping you cope with anxiety and helps improve your general mood levels. If you are in a better mood, you will find yourself more able to cope with the post operative treatments.
• Boosts Self-Esteem – As you gain strength and mobility through low-impact exercises, you will find your self-esteem increasing. You will also get a feeling of accomplishment every time you complete the exercises. And with each accomplishment you feel more able to reach your post surgery recovery goals.
• Fosters Social Interaction – Many of these low-impact exercises can be done as a group or with a partner. This is a great opportunity for social interaction. This is another great reason to stay at a convalescent care home for post operative recovery because you will be in an environment where people are going through a similar thing. Such a positive and bonding environment is highly conducive to a successful post operative recovery.

Improves Overall Mobility and Strength

• Builds Strength Gradually— By focusing on low-impact movements to build strength, you are progressing in a gentle manner that avoids any risk of overexertion. Overexertion can cause problems both in the short term and long term. By building strength gradually you are providing a more solid base from which to grow and thereby ensuring that your recovery is positive and gradual and not full of negative stops and starts.
• Enhances Flexibility– Stretching and gentle exercises in post operative rehabilitation are excellent for your flexibility. Flexibility assists with daily activities while also reducing the possibility of being injured during recovery after surgery. Flexibility also leads to greater mobility which means you can get back sooner to doing the activities you want to enjoy.
• Facilitates Daily Activities – The goal of postoperative care is to help patients resume their daily activities comfortably. Low-impact exercises support this by enhancing strength, flexibility, and mobility.

Conclusion

Rustington Convalescent Home provides excellent and proven post-operative care. We focus on the individual and tailor each person’s recovery and care plans to suit their needs.We are a dedicated post-operative care home focusing on short term convalescent care after surgeries such as hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, upper limb surgery and many other operations and illnesses. Rustington Convalescent Home is the perfect for post operative recovery in unique and comfortable surroundings.

Faqs

What types of care and services does Rustington Convalescent Home provide?

Rustington Convalescent Home is a centre of excellence for post operative recovery. It specialises in short term care post surgery, illness or accident. It also offers short term respite breaks. Since 1897 it has been providing both men and women an outstanding environment with round the clock care to help patients experience a smooth and effective recovery.

What are some examples of low-impact exercises suitable for postoperative recovery?

Some examples of low-impact exercises are walking, stationary cycling, and gentle stretching. It is important to discuss all types of exercise with your medical team before starting. They can advise which exercises are best for your condition, how often you need to do them and together you can come up with a plan which ensures consistent progress for an effective recovery.