Dr. Patrick Doherty is a board-certified neurosurgeon with a busy practice (Yale Neurosurgery New London) in New London, Connecticut. Dr. Doherty is well-known for his significant surgical skill and pioneering approach to developing effective and minimally invasive treatments for painful spinal issues.
Read what this medical expert has to say about physical therapy and how it’s used to address neck pain before and after surgery.
Physical therapy is a broad term that’s used in a variety of ways throughout the medical world. Stroke patients, for instance, may benefit from therapy that’s focused on helping them learn to walk again. Heart attack victims may benefit from a course of therapy that’s focused on improving stamina and conditioning linked to cardiac health.
The therapy we prescribe here at Yale Neurosurgery New London is focused on correcting physical abnormalities linked to your orthopedic and neurological health. It typically involves a variety of exercises and other treatments that help restore normal and pain-free movement of your muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
For your cervical spine (neck), Dr. Doherty may recommend physical therapy as the first step in treating painful illnesses, injury, and conditions such as:
Dr. Doherty also includes physical therapy as a vital component of your recovery/rehab following spinal surgery.
Your physical therapy course is guided by a specialist who has undergone extensive and specialized training in anatomy, exercise physiology, and other disciplines related to physical movement.
It may take several weeks to complete a full course of physical therapy, which is designed to address your specific needs.
Your plan may include:
You can also expect home exercises that are designed to complement your in-office therapy and help speed your recovery.
It’s important to follow your physical therapist’s directions carefully throughout your treatment course because each session builds upon those that came before. Skipping a session, for instance, can stall your recovery or delay healing. Doing more repetitions of an exercise than instructed, however, can reverse the gains you’ve made.
Your therapist also provides information and strategies that can help prevent future episodes of neck pain.
For outstanding care and relief from neck pain that may include physical therapy, call Yale Neurosurgery New London today to schedule your evaluation.
