Pain after surgery is more common than you might think. Even if a surgical procedure has gone technically well, you may experience continued pain for a long time. Sometimes this is part of the normal recovery process, but in other cases the pain persists or new symptoms develop. This can be physically taxing, as well as mentally confusing. Osteopathy can help support recovery and identify the cause of persistent pain after surgery.
Why continued pain may persist after surgery
After surgery, there is often an imbalance in the body’s balance. A scar, altered movement patterns or long-term muscle tension can cause new symptoms. Also, the body may have adapted for a long time to compensate for pain before surgery – and these patterns may persist after surgery.
In addition, surgery impacts multiple layers of tissue. Not only is the skin cut, but connective tissue, muscles, blood vessels and nerves are also affected. The body does its best to repair this, but it does not always succeed completely or evenly. Then pain symptoms may persist after surgery, with no clear medical explanation yet.
Examples of persistent pain after surgery include:
- pulling pain around scars
- vague nagging pain near the surgical area
- radiating pain due to tension in surrounding connective tissue
- pain with movement or certain postures
Symptoms in other areas of the body may also occur, such as changes in posture or compensatory behavior.
How does an osteopath look at pain symptoms after surgery?
An osteopath looks for loss of motion in the body that may impede recovery. These may be restrictions in muscles, joints, connective tissue or organs. By feeling with the hands where the body holds tension or no longer moves properly, the osteopath identifies possible causes of persistent pain.
For pain after surgery, the osteopath looks not just at the site of the surgery, but also at the whole. For example, abdominal surgery can affect the mobility of the lower back, diaphragm or pelvic floor. Shoulder surgery can cause tension in the neck, ribs or even the abdominal region. Everything is interconnected.
In addition, an osteopath takes into account the nervous system. After surgery, nerves can become temporarily hypersensitive, for example due to scarring, inflammation or adhesions. By getting the body moving again and relieving tension, the nervous system has a chance to calm down.
What can osteopathy do for persistent pain after surgery?
Treatment for post-surgery pain focuses on restoring mobility, reducing tension and improving circulation. The techniques are gentle and tailored to what your body can handle. Treatment is not based on treating symptoms, but on an overall view of how your body functions.
During the initial consultation, the osteopath examines where there are residual tensions or loss of motion in the body that are holding back recovery. This involves looking at the scarred area itself, as well as other parts of the body that may be affected.
The goal is to support the body’s self-healing ability to reduce pain and improve function. Many people find after a few treatments that their symptoms decrease, their energy increases and they can move more freely.
Osteopathy as an adjunct to regular care
Osteopathy is a safe adjunct to regular medical care. It is not intended to replace surgery or rehabilitation, but to support and speed up the recovery process. Especially when pain after surgery persists longer than expected, or when the symptoms are not well explained, osteopathy can offer a solution.
For example, have you already had physical therapy but continue to have pain? Or do you feel that your body has not fully recovered despite a successful surgery? Then an osteopathic examination may be useful to see where it is still “stuck.
Osteopathy for persistent pain after surgery in Amsterdam
Do you suffer from persistent pain after surgery and want to know what osteopathy can do for you? In my practice in Amsterdam West I investigate where your body holds tension and where movement recovery is possible. Together we look at the cause of your symptoms and what is needed to give your recovery a push in the right direction.
Pain after surgery can be persistent, but with the right support, recovery is often possible. Feel free to contact us for an initial consultation, or make an appointment directly in the online calendar.
