As a patient of back pain or injury, you must already know that a doctor will not resort to surgery unless other treatments are/have been ineffective. With that said, certain conditions or injuries do require back surgery in order to ‘fix’ the problem. Unfortunately, while having back surgery can be very beneficial in treating an underlying problem, it is not always effective in doing away with back pain altogether. For this reason, it is quite common for your doctor to advise post-surgery therapies that will aid in providing the pain relief that surgery may not. 

Along with physical therapy, chiropractic care is a recommended treatment for alleviating pain in the back after a surgery. Patients can benefit from spinal manipulation in many ways and enjoy a higher quality of life after their back surgery if/when adjusted properly by a professional chiropractor. Of course, these treatments are not advised soon after undergoing back surgery as one’s body needs to recover at its own pace before it is healed and ready for further treatment. We also advise consulting with your surgeon before making an appointment to get an adjustment.

When to Get Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery

Depending on the type of back surgery you have had, the recovery period will vary in terms of duration and post-procedure symptoms. It should be noted that every body heals differently, therefore, the time between receiving chiropractic care after back surgery for one patient may be completely different from another. 

Although the duration is indefinite, it helps to go for regular post-surgery follow-ups to have a better idea of when you may be ready, physically, for a chiropractic adjustment. It generally takes up to one year to heal and recover from a back surgery, however, depending on your progress, your surgeon may advise other therapies sooner or later than the first anniversary of your surgery. 

To help speed things along, it is highly recommended that you avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities during the recovery period as this will place unnecessary stress on your back and possibly undo much of your progress. To ensure that you are on the right track, follow your doctor’s orders and be patient; when your back is healed and you’ve got the green signal from your surgeon, seek chiropractic services from the best chiropractor in your town to alleviate post-surgery back pain.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Patients of Back Surgery 

As we mentioned earlier, back surgery can treat an underlying back problem or condition, however, there is no guarantee that the pain or discomfort will go away completely. With that said, it will definitely put your body in a better position to receive other therapies that will aid in alleviating pain. This, of course, is only after you have fully healed and recovered from the surgery. 

Using non-rotational adjustments, a licensed and experienced chiropractor will apply various techniques that include manual spinal manipulation instead of mobilisation, and gentle adjustments performed with specialised chiropractic instruments. The goal is to ensure proper alignment of the spine starting from the neck (cervical spine), right down to your lower back (lumbar spine). When your bones are adjusted and properly aligned, it can provide instant relief from back pain, as well as neck and upper back pain. 

Along with realignment of the spine, some of the ways in which chiropractic adjustments can help patients after undergoing back surgery include significant improvements in joint mobility and communication between nerves. In fact, regular adjustments are beneficial for one’s overall health, not just patients of back surgery. 

Receiving Chiropractic Adjustments After Spinal Fusion

For individuals who are diagnosed with a degenerative disease or slipped disc that requires surgery, spinal fusion is typically advised. This is a surgery wherein one or more discs are removed and replaced with a metal plate or screws to fuse the vertebrae together. Although it leaves that particular area of the spine immobile, spinal fusion can alleviate back pain, albeit partially, in some cases.

Like any back surgery, recovery depends on many factors that dictate when it is advisable to seek chiropractic care. As far as spinal fusion is concerned, it generally takes up to 3 months to recover from the surgery. At this point, the graft should be completely immobile which is when the patient can safely begin physiotherapy. Your physician may advise some months of light physical therapy before recommending chiropractic care to get rid of back pain. 

In order to be ‘fit’ for spinal adjustments anytime after undergoing a spinal fusion surgery, you must have a thorough assessment done to determine how well and strong the graft is. Only if your doctor states that the graft is capable of receiving chiropractic adjustments should you go forth with the treatment.

Use the Best Chiropractic Services at Your Disposal

At MSK Therapy, you can find certified and experienced chiropractors and physical therapists to help you safely get rid of pain and discomfort after undergoing back surgery. We are committed to treating each patient with utmost care and consideration, ensuring that they are ready to benefit from the various medical services we provide. These include chiropractic care, massage therapy, and physiotherapy. Call us today to set up an appointment with one of our trusted medical professionals.