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V O L 4 2019 I S S U E

A passive stretch is one where you assume a A massage works best to relax the stiff
position and hold it with some other part of muscles that ache after prolonged surgeries.
your body, or with the assistance of a partner or Best performed soon after the surgery is
some other apparatus. For example, bringing over, however, they can be done periodically,
your leg up high and then holding it there with like once in a month by a qualified massage
your hand. The splits is an example of a passive therapist.
stretch (in this case the floor is the “apparatus”
that you use to maintain your extended Following are the common massage
position). techniques:
• Longitudinal Gliding
Slow, relaxed stretching is useful in relieving
spasms in muscles that are healing after an • Kneading
injury. • Myofascial Releases

Relaxed stretching is also very good for “cooling • Trigger Point Therapy
down” after a workout (in our case, after a long • Deep Transverse Frictions
vigorous surgery) and helps reduce muscle
fatigue, and soreness. • Compression Massage

Dynamic stretching consists of controlled • Cross-Fibre Massage
leg and arm swings that take you (gently!) to • Swedish Massage
the limits of your range of motion. Dynamic
stretching improves dynamic flexibility and Conclusion
is quite useful as part of your warm-up for an
active or aerobic workout (in our case, before a Ergonomics training should be developed
long surgery). to protect surgeons from musculoskeletal
injuries.
Yoga is a very useful means of developing
flexibility while Pilates works very well for Besides ergonomics, it is extremely important
core strengthening. A combination of these that plastic surgeons engage themselves in
exercises help in overall health and fitness of a some form of physical activity that not only
plastic surgeon. helps them in being more efficient in their
surgical practice but also prevent dreadful
Figure 4
Strength (or resistance) training is the process career-altering injuries.
of building and maintaining muscles in the
is infamously associated with power assisted How to do?
liposuctions. body by using progressively heavier weights We tend to be so immersed in patient care that
Active, passive or dynamic stretch are (or resistance). It is also called resistance we forget to take care of ourselves! Lets change
Post surgical stretching: commonly performed for each muscle group. training, weight lifting, toning, and body this notion and make our fraternity healthier
and fitter!
building. Strength training is very important
An active stretch is one where you assume for maintaining and increasing muscle mass
Any surgery lasting longer than 4 hours causes a position and then hold it there with no throughout our lifetime.
fatigue and pain in the back (mainly lower assistance. For example, bringing your leg up
spine), besides neck and hamstrings. high and then holding it there without anything Believe it or not, there is no age limit for weight
to keep the leg in that extended position. The lifting!
It’s a good idea to perform some stretching of tension of the agonists in an active stretch
back, neck and hamstrings for 5-10 minutes helps to relax the muscles being stretched (the Massage:
immediately after the surgery before calling it antagonists) by reciprocal inhibition. Massage is not just a luxury. It’s a way to a
a day. healthier, happier life.

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