Yoga And ACL Surgery Recovery | Healing Faster - The Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Using Yoga To Heal Faster During ACL Surgery Recovery

Recovering from ACL surgery is no easy feat. It requires time, immense patience, and a detailed physiotherapy plan. Due to its gentle nature, yoga is often recommended by many practitioners as part of their patient’s recovery. The beneficial effects of yoga after ACL surgery transcend from the physical to the mental, to overall body improvement.

The Center For Minimally Invasive Surgery Munster Indiana Yoga and ACL Surgery Recovery I Healing Faster

Using yoga for ACL surgery recovery

The ACL is a ligament that crosses over the knee and provides rotational stability. When the knee is forced to bend/rotate beyond its natural capacity, the ligament can tear, and surgery is required. The initial phases of recovering after ACL surgery involve elevation, icing, anti-inflammatories and minimizing weight-bearing activities (meaning no weightlifting, deep bending, sharp twisting, or sudden movements). While there are many restrictions to the type of exercise that can be done after ACL surgery, yoga works well in that it allows the individual to maintain fitness levels while gently building back knee strength. Yoga forces the individual to approach each pose or sequence at a gentler pace, only building in complexity as the injured ligament becomes stronger. Each pose can be modified to take stress off the knee, without compromising the supporting muscles/ligaments. Yoga restores the body’s natural balance and symmetry.

Calming of the mind and healing of the body

Injuries are often not limited to just the physical body and can be very taxing on the mind. Mental stress can easily affect physical stress and make the recovery process take even longer. A large part of the yoga practice is centered around calming the mind, reducing overall stress, and increasing body awareness. The soothing and meditative qualities of yoga create a gentle way for the body to adjust to the discomfort so that the neuropathways can say “This is uncomfortable, but tolerable since it is adding in the recovery process.”

Increasing blood flow

ACL injuries naturally force the individual to slow down and restricts movement. Restricting movement leads to muscle stiffness and pore circulation to the muscles/ligaments. The less oxygenated blood that reaches the muscles/ligaments, the slower the healing process. Yoga encourages a gentle approach to movement, allowing oxygen to freely flow throughout the body. The more oxygenated blood that reaches the ACL ligament, the quicker the recovery process will be.

Light repetitive movement balances out the body

One of the likely issues with ACL surgery recovery is that injury to one of the four major ligaments in the knee risks straining the remaining three. When one leg is injured, the healthy leg often overcompensates for the injured leg. A major injury like tearing the ACL can easily unbalance the entire body. Many physical therapists will focus both on improving the strength of the ACL, as well as how the rest of the body is reacting to the injury. The light repetitive movements of yoga will allow the injured ACL to recover, while at the same time supporting and not overstraining the supporting ligaments/muscles. Over time the body will re-find its natural alignment and balance.

“The STAFF from the moment you walk in were the nicest people I’ve encountered at a medical facility.”

“Amazing nurses, very caring and friendly and put both me and my son at ease.”

“Dr. Tupper was amazing! He spent time explaining exactly what he was doing, what I would experience and made sure I was comfortable.”

“Anesthesia staff was outstanding!”

“Entire staff was knowledgeable and courteous. They genuinely cared for my well being and made sure my wife and I were taken care of.”

“Rebecca was amazing. I have always had trouble in the past with getting an IV started. I told Rebecca I was concerned about it. She got it on the 1st try – no digging in my arm and NO bruising the next day.”

“The STAFF from the moment you walk in were the nicest people I’ve encountered at a medical facility.”

“I can’t say enough about Marcia and the entire team. The care I received was well beyond anything I could have expected.”

“Dr. Best…is the best!”

“All staff were wonderful.”

“Dr. Dedhia made everything clear and even scheduled an early follow-up appt so I could get back to work sooner.”

“Rebecca was amazing. I have always had trouble in the past with getting an IV started. I told Rebecca I was concerned about it. She got it on the 1st try – no digging in my arm and NO bruising the next day.”

“Dr. Dedhia made everything clear and even scheduled an early follow-up appt so I could get back to work sooner.”

“Everyone was friendly and the place was very clean.”

“Dr. Best…is the best!”

“All staff were wonderful.”

“Efficiency of the staff. Courteous, friendly and caring attitude. Excellent office staff. Pleasant surroundings.”

“Everyone was concerned with my comfort.”

“Anesthesia staff was outstanding!”

“NO wait time, RN Rebecca answered all questions prior to my visit by phone and again answered all questions and concerns while prepping me.”

“Amazing nurses, very caring and friendly and put both me and my son at ease.”

“I can’t say enough about Marcia and the entire team. The care I received was well beyond anything I could have expected.”

“Efficiency of the staff. Courteous, friendly and caring attitude. Excellent office staff. Pleasant surroundings.”

“Everyone was concerned with my comfort.”

“I liked that it was so clean. Every staff member was pleasant and easy to talk with.”

“Entire staff was knowledgeable and courteous. They genuinely cared for my well being and made sure my wife and I were taken care of.”

“The nurses were very nice and caring!”

“The staff was very polite, they were excellent. They explained exactly what was going on.”

“Experience was amazing. The nurses my son needed at this time couldn’t have been chosen any more perfect. They were supportive and understanding, patient and just great human beings.THANK YOU KINDLY ”

“Everyone was friendly and concerned about my comfort. They frequently asked how I was doing, or if I needed something.”

“Marcia and staff were excellent and genuinely cared for my well being. Wish I could have taken them home.”

“Incredibly professional, friendly and confidence of knowing their roles as healthcare employees. Excellent!”

“The staff was great, especially Mary and Marcia. Marcia was extremely helpful post-op and made sure I was comfortable and well-cared for.”