Guest Blog by Corey Schuler, MS, DC, CNS, LN
This is the third part of our series on healing after surgery. If you missed them, read part 1: Introduction and part 2: Rest & Nutrition.
Get Moving Again
Surgical recovery often requires a sedentary lifestyle for a time. As soon as you are able and cleared by your doctor, get moving again. Active physical and manual therapy or chiropractic treatment is used to reactivate your weary body. The odd positions and movements you will find yourself doing to overcome your new body will feel a lot better when appropriately balanced. You may find that you crave activity. Let your intuition be your guide.
Prevent Scar Formation
Preventing the scar is likely the best course of action. This requires all of the necessary building blocks to be in adequate supply during the initial phases of post-surgical care. Skin, including the epidermis and dermis, require vitamins A and C, zinc, and certain amino acids such as proline in relatively high doses. According to researcher Dr. Bruce Ames’ Triage Theory of micronutrients (which states that the body will redirect nutrients when in short supply to functions vital to survival and reproduction) the high need for raw materials in post-surgical recovery can cause insufficiencies for other functions throughout the body. A therapeutic multivitamin with a broad range of nutrients at higher dosages than typical maintenance products can be used to fill in some of the nutrient blanks caused by the excess need.
Stay tuned next week for our fourth and final installment of tips for healing after surgery.
