Getting ACL surgery can make you feel like an old man. Whether you injured your knee while playing a sport or if you got into an accident, you know just how painful it is to have a torn ACL. However, by getting surgery to repair your ACL, you can help restore your function in no time. To get your functionality back to normal after surgery, it’s important that you do a combination of things including physical therapy, massage, icing, and taking pain medication. But when it comes to massage, many of our patients don’t know how to perform it. Luckily we have created a brief instruction guide to help you. Read on to learn more.
Why Massage?
We all know that getting a back massage is a great way to help you feel calm and relaxed, but did you know it’s good for you? Massage is a technique that helps to break up things like scar tissue and fluid to increase circulation and joint mobility.
How Can I Massage My Knee?
There are several different types of massage techniques that you can use on your knees including the palpation technique, the cross friction technique, and roll massage. As one of the easiest and safest ways to massage your knees, we will solely focus on the rolling massage.
To start the roll massage technique, sit in your chair with your knees bent. Slowly and carefully lift your injured leg and place your ankle on your good knee. Take the palms of your hands and put them on each side of your knee with your fingers wrapped around the front of your knee, right above your shin. Slowly take your fingers and slide them across your skin, creating a rolling motion. Repeat this exercise for 2 to 3 minutes a few times a day.
Massage is an excellent way to prevent you from forming scar tissue after you have ACL surgery. To learn more proper massage techniques or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. John Moore.