After a hip or knee surgery, nurses and doctors will do their best to control post-op pain. While some
discomfort after the surgery is to be expected, advancements have been made in pain management, including alternative treatments, making it easier for nurses and doctors to manage the pain experienced.
Patients and their surgeons are increasingly using and preferring alternative methods, including acupuncture and various relaxation techniques to supplement the older, more conventional medicines. Combined approaches to the management of pain has proven to be the best option because the doctors and medical staff can tailor the procedure and pain-control methods to the patient as an individual. Benefits of acupuncture before and after a hip or knee surgery include:
Pain relief. Acupuncture treatments can be an effective, alternative drug-free way to ward off pain before surgeries as well as after.
Getting ready for surgery. Acupuncture has great health benefits prior to surgery. A hip replacement is stressful on the body. Chinese medicine, with the goal of being in your best physical health possible, can reduce the impact of surgeries on the joint.
Let the healing begin. Acupuncture is a great way to assist in the road to healing. Acupuncture reduces pain, speeds healing, and restores the body to pre-surgical health. In fact, several hospitals offer acupuncture after surgeries.
Long-term support. Most patients are fine months and years after surgeries, but some experience aches or painful joints when the weather turns cold or damp. The options are to stick it out, take pain relievers, or get acupuncture.
Source: Dr. Nakul Karkare is an orthopedic surgeon highly specialized in limb reconstruction and joint replacement surgery. Contact him at 212-951-0182 or find out more about him at NewYorkHipKnee.com
