Abdominal Hysterectomy and Whole Body Vibration
Abdominal hysterectomies are performed for a variety of reasons, and are one of the most common
surgeries for women. Reasons for surgery include cervical or uterine cancer, fibroids, endometriosis,
uterine prolapse, persistent vaginal bleeding, and chronic pain in the pelvis. Abdominal hysterectomies
involve removal of the cervix and uterus while preserving the ovaries and vagina. If it is due to cancer,
lymph nodes in the pelvic area are also removed. In some cases, the ovaries and fallopian tubes may
also be removed. For an abdominal hysterectomy incisions are made in the pelvic and lower abdominal
area; if the procedure was done laproscopically, the incisions will be smaller. Sometimes the entire
surgery is done through the vagina. This is known as a vaginal hysterectomy. Like all major surgery there
is time needed for the body to recover. Recovery time will be dependent on the type of procedure, but
a full recovery will take approximately six to eight weeks 1. It is advisable to avoid any lifting for the first
two weeks following surgery and an individual can slowly return to light chores, driving and work if it is
not physically demanding 1. A full recovery may take some individuals even longer than eight weeks.
Even after this a person may still experience pain or change in sensation around the incision. A person
may also have an increased level of fatigue and generally a lower exercise tolerance. Because every
individual varies in their time to heal, return to more strenuous activities (including exercise) should be
cleared by their surgeon.
Whole body vibration (WBV) maybe be an excellent addition to an exercise routine following surgery.
Benefits to using WBV include improving pelvic floor muscle strength, maintenance of bone density, and
improved circulation *. However it is important to note that fresh surgical incisions, metal implants and
active cancer are all considered contraindications to using the WBV platform. This list is by no means
inclusive. It is essential to discuss the addition of any type of exercise, including WBV, with a doctor
following surgery to ensure that the incision has healed adequately, and that there are no other
underlying medical issues that may be contraindicated to using the platform.
If cleared by a doctor, WBV should be progressed slowly to ensure that an individual becomes
comfortable with the equipment and has experienced no adverse reactions to using the platform. If an
individual experiences any new abdominal pain, bleeding from the vagina or increased
swelling/hardness around the incision use of the WBV platform should be discontinued immediately and
the new symptoms should be discussed with a doctor familiar with an individual’s surgical history. Some
mild pain around the incision or swelling maybe considered normal and individuals may experience
these symptoms several months following surgery, especially when increasing the intensity of their
activities. A doctor can assess the new symptoms and determine if these changes are a normal aspect of
healing verses something more serious. It is then up to the individual and her doctor to determine if it is
appropriate to continue to use WBV in her exercise routine.
References
1.
About hysterectomy. American College of Surgeons.
http://www.facs.org/public_info/operation/hysterectomy.pdf. Accessed March 24, 2010.
THIS IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. WE DO NOT DIAGNOSE OR PRESCRIBE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR
HEALTH PROVIDER.
25 Curity Avenue, Unit 2A, Toronto, ON M4B 3M2
416-285-6055 fax 416-285-8918
info@t-zonehealth.com www.t-zonevibration.com
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*Please see the T-zone Vibration Technology manual for a list of references.
Various models and machines on the market have been used for the purpose of conducting research.
Also, a variety of frequencies (speeds) and amplitudes (platform variation) which may or may not be
known to us have been used. We do not guarantee or claim users will achieve similar results with our TZone Whole Body Vibration machine.
THIS IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. WE DO NOT DIAGNOSE OR PRESCRIBE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR
HEALTH PROVIDER.
25 Curity Avenue, Unit 2A, Toronto, ON M4B 3M2
416-285-6055 fax 416-285-8918
info@t-zonehealth.com www.t-zonevibration.com