Why Surgery Doesn’t Have to Be Your Only Option
Do you suffer from a painful orthopedic condition such as spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis? Many think surgical intervention is the only way they’ll ever find relief. However, you have another option: physical therapy at Ellis Physical Therapy! There’s no denying that surgery is a significant decision–and one that brings with it several risks, including blood clots, infections, and more. That’s why most doctors will encourage you to consider your options before booking a surgeon. For orthopedic concerns, that means looking to physical therapy.
In fact, physical therapy is actually a frontline treatment for several musculoskeletal conditions, from arthritis to ligament injuries, meaning you absolutely should try it first! Regular physical therapy treatments can help delay your surgery–and, in some cases, avoid it altogether. If you feel you may be on the path to needing surgery, don’t hesitate to give our team a call. We’ll provide specific information about how our physical therapists can help you avoid or delay surgery.
Our Patients Get Great Results
“Dr. Jay Ellis is the best. I have been going to him for years and he has turned my injuries around. His staff is also excellent. I wouldn’t go to anyone else. Truly, if it weren’t for Jay, I would not be able to run, lift weights and move my neck without pain. Also, he has shown me that so much can be done to heal the body without surgery.”
– J.F.
Conditions That Respond Well to Physical Therapy
People opt for surgery to reduce pain and improve their functionality and mobility. The good news is that physical therapy can do exactly that for several different musculoskeletal conditions, including the following:
- Osteoarthritis: People with severe osteoarthritis often resort to total joint replacements to address their symptoms. But if you can begin physical therapy early on, you can slow the condition’s progression.
- Partial Ligament Tears: While a full ligament tear typically requires surgical intervention, less severe ligament injuries respond well to physical therapy.
- Spinal Stenosis: This condition causes a painful narrowing in the spinal column, but you can manage your pain and mobility restrictions with gentle, targeted exercise.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: A common side effect of aging, physical therapy is more beneficial for treating DDD than surgery in most cases.
- Herniated Discs: This is another condition that physical therapy can generally resolve more easily than surgery.
Physical Therapy vs. Surgery: Here’s What We Can Offer
The exact details of your physical therapy treatment will vary based on several factors, including the condition or injury, your current health status, and your overall goals. Our team will work closely with you to develop a customized plan that meets your needs. Generally speaking, we’ll begin with an extensive evaluation to help us get to the root of your discomfort. From there, we’ll pull from several different techniques to help you manage pain, eliminate restrictions in your range of motion, and improve your overall function. At Ellis Physical Therapy, our physical therapists tailor treatment plans based on your condition, health status, and goals. Here’s why physical therapy can be a smarter choice:
Lower Costs:
- Surgery involves hospital stays, anesthesia, and extended rehabilitation costs.
- Physical therapy offers effective care at a fraction of the cost. Studies estimate surgery can cost at least twice as much per year compared to physical therapy.
Less Downtime:
- Surgery requires weeks or months of recovery.
- Physical therapy promotes gradual progress without invasive procedures, helping you return to daily life faster.
Decreased Risks:
- Surgery comes with risks like blood clots, infections, and reliance on pain medications.
- Physical therapy provides non-invasive, drug-free pain relief with minimal risks.
Improved Long-Term Outcomes:
- Early physical therapy strengthens muscles, improves mobility, and supports joint health, leading to better long-term results.
Why Physical Therapy Saves You More Than Time
Beyond health benefits, physical therapy significantly reduces overall expenses. Here’s how:
Fewer Complications:
- No surgical risks mean fewer unexpected costs.
Shorter Recovery Periods:
- Time off work is reduced, lowering indirect expenses.
No Need for Post-Surgical Therapy:
- Since physical therapy is part of your primary care plan, you won’t need additional rehabilitation.
Stay Active for Better Results
Starting physical therapy early provides the best chance to avoid surgery. Our team will develop an exercise plan tailored to your lifestyle, helping you stay active and healthy. Consistent movement is essential, especially for degenerative conditions. If surgery becomes necessary later, your body will already be stronger, leading to a faster recovery. If you have a painful musculoskeletal condition, don’t resort to surgery – visit Ellis Physical Therapy first to find out if physical therapy might be a better solution for you. Call us today to get started.
Exercise of the Month: Reclined Figure Four
Lie with your back on your mat. Bend your knees. Place your feet flat on the ground, hip-width distance apart. Cross your right ankle over your left thigh. Keep your right foot flexed. Lift your left foot off the mat. Interlace your fingers behind your left quad. Maintain steady inhales and exhales as you hold the pose. Release and repeat on the opposite side.
Recipe of the Month: Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
- 4 bell peppers (any color)
- 3/4 lb. lean, ground turkey
- 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
- 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
- 14.5 oz. canned, no-salt-added, diced tomatoes
- 1 clove fresh, minced garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic minced from jar)
- 1 tsp. reduced-sodium Italian seasoning (lowest sodium available)
- 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (for spiciness), (optional)
- 8 oz. canned, no-salt-added tomato sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook rice to package instructions (omitting salt). While the rice is cooking, in skillet over medium heat, brown the turkey. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes more (until onion becomes translucent).
- Wash the bell peppers and remove the tops, seeds and membranes. Set peppers in a 9×9 baking dish or line them up in a loaf pan, so they stand upright.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix turkey, rice, tomato, garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Spoon into each pepper. Spoon tomato sauce evenly over the top of the 4 peppers. Bake 1 hour in the oven, until peppers are tender.
You Had Surgery–But You’re Still Struggling with Pain!
Many people mistakenly believe that surgery is a cure-all: that once they work through their rehabilitation, they’ll be back to their old selves. While this is true sometimes, other times, people find that they’re still struggling with pain or limited mobility after a surgical procedure.
If this has been your experience, then know that physical therapy may be the tool you need to find lasting relief. Just as the team at Ellis Physical Therapy can help people avoid or delay surgery, we can also ensure your surgery provides you with a successful outcome. What can we do?
- Manual therapy helps with pain and range of motion restrictions. These hands-on techniques can gradually help restore your mobility over time.
- Mobility exercises take things a step further in terms of restoring your range of motion.
- Strengthening exercises will help build muscular strength and endurance to provide support and stability to the affected joint.
- Functional training will help you relearn movements you thought you’d lost. We can also help improve gait or balance and help you perform day-to-day activities like going up or down stairs more easily.
If you’re still struggling with pain and mobility after an orthopedic surgery, call us to schedule an appointment. We’ll work together to find a plan that suits your needs and goals!
Getting Ready for Yard Work and Gardening: Take These Steps
Spring has sprung, and many are eager to get their hands dirty in the garden or yard. However, these activities can put an unexpected strain on your body if you’re not prepared. Try these tips to keep you gardening longer while minimizing your risk for injury.
- Movement Prep: Gone are the days of old-school static stretching. Instead, use a dynamic warm-up to prep your muscles and joints for gardening.
- Spinal Health: Incorporate ‘active breaks’ every 20 minutes to reset your spine. Or alternate between working up high (like trimming bushes) and down low (like planting flowers). This gives specific muscle groups a break and reduces the risk of overuse injuries.
- Neuromuscular Control: Practice exercises that engage both your brain and muscles, like balance exercises to avoid trips and falls over uneven terrain or gardening tools, making it easier to navigate through your garden.
Utilizing these cutting-edge approaches can ensure a physically fulfilling and injury-free gardening season, allowing you to fully enjoy the fruits (and flowers) of your labor.
Happy Gardening!
Say Goodbye to Aches and Pains with an Ultrasound
Did You Know Ultrasound Could Be Used for Pain Relief?
Ultrasound can help you heal, no matter what aches or pains you may be experiencing. Ultrasound is a specialized method of physical therapy that uses mechanical energy to promote the healing process. It can be used as a way to manage or relieve pain, treat injuries, and improve your ability to perform daily activities. If you are suffering from pain or a recent injury, ultrasound treatments may benefit you. The technology behind ultrasound treatments involves the use of sound waves. These sound waves are used to treat conditions affecting the muscles, ligaments, and bones by creating vibrations that generate heat. When the tissues vibrate, friction is produced at the molecular level, which causes the temperature of the tissues to increase. While heating packs can be effective in warming up an affected area, they are unable to reach the tissues in the same way that ultrasound technology can. Want to learn more? Contact us today!
