Spine surgery is a massive undertaking, and partaking in rehabilitation is a vital part of helping patients maximize the benefits from undergoing surgical intervention. Rehabilitation helps patients to recover from their surgery as quickly as possible.
Your spine is incredibly strong and flexible, so after completing a rehabilitation program, it’s vital that you take the necessary precautions not to undo all of the hard work you’ve done.
Lift Correctly
Regardless of what caused your back injury, lifting heavy objects the right way will ward off a recurrence of pain or additional injury. When permitted, always use the appropriate form when lifting. First and foremost, never attempt to lift objects that you know are too heavy. But when you do lift heavy objects, start by bending at the knees and balancing the weight equally in both of your arms. Never bend at the waist as this can also cause injury to your spine when trying to stand.
Straighten Up
Your mother always told you to stand up straight for a reason. Poor posture places pressure the intervertebral discs and cause degenerative discs to become even more painful. If you spend the majority of your sitting at a desk, you’re probably slouching without realizing it. Make sure your workplace is ergonomic, meaning everything you need is positioned properly so you aren’t hunched over the computer with your neck jutting forward. In addition, you may want to place a few books under your desk to place your feet on. And most importantly, make sure your chair is of high quality and supports your back appropriately.
Savvy Athlete
Once you’ve been given the green light to resume regular activities, use due diligence when choosing the appropriate exercise. For example, even if you love hitting the open road and running for miles, it might not be in your best interest if you had a spinal injury. When you run outside, you strike the pavement very forcefully with your feet. This impact could cause considerable pain over time. Opposingly, you could invest in a treadmill or hit the gym where you could walk briskly without the harsh impact as you have when running outdoors.
After completing a rehabilitation program, gently ease back into your activities of daily life. Never force yourself to do something you simply can’t do any longer. This doesn’t mean you need to rule them out entirely. You simply need to find ways to modify them so you can safely participate.