When you’re recovering from spine surgery, it can be difficult to keep track of everything you’re supposed to do and the activities you need to avoid in order to heal in the best way possible. Of course, you should speak to your surgeon to receive specific advice tailored to your personal needs, but there are a few general guidelines to follow as you work toward your recovery.

First, realize that you may be coping with some severe and continuous pain for a while after the surgery is finished, but you don’t have to just accept the pain. You’ll likely be prescribed several pain medications to manage your discomfort. Ask a friend or relative to have your prescriptions filled as quickly as possible – perhaps even before the surgery – to ensure that you have them on-hand as you need them. As with any medication, follow the dosing instructions that accompany it, and try to time your doses to match your increased levels of activity. That means that if you plan to take a short walk, for example, you should try to get the medicine into your body about a half an hour before undertaking the task to reduce the ache you’ll probably experience. One note of caution, however: If you’ve had spinal fusion surgery, you need to avoid taking NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen because these drugs prevent bone growth, a necessary process to complete the spinal fusion recovery process.

You may find that your prescriptions aren’t doing the trick when it comes to keeping you comfortable. If the pain is causing you problems even after you’ve taken your prescribed doses, turn to icing down and heating up your back. Applying an ice pack to the affected areas of your back can help reduce the sensation of pain, while a heat pack can be used to relax your muscles. Both can be beneficial, especially in the first few weeks after surgery, but in the later stages of recovery, heating your back may cause added swelling, which is not conducive to proper recovery.

Throughout the next few weeks or months, you’ll need to be especially careful while sleeping. Rest is an essential factor in healing after any surgery, but it can be difficult to achieve uninterrupted sleep after having major back surgery. The best way to ensure that you stay comfortable enough to get the sleep you need is to lie on your back and support your head and shoulders with pillows or your adjustable bed, if you happen to have one. Also, bend your knees slightly and place a pillow under them to keep your hips at a slight angle throughout the night. All of these preparations have the same aim – to keep the back completely supported. Note that you may need someone else’s help to properly position these pillows.

As you feel your body healing, you need to focus on completely rehabilitating your back. To achieve this goal, you’ll need to sleep, but you also should stretch and exercise. Obviously, you won’t be lifting weights a week after you leave the hospital, but you should slowly expand your range of motion according to the recommendations your surgeon provides. Be sure to ask about your doctor about whether you can twist or bend your body, and consult with him or her before undertaking any type of more intensive exercise, such as swimming.

As you can see, recovering from back surgery is all about regaining your normal capabilities but doing so at a deliberate pace. If you have any further questions, talk to your doctor for more information.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice on a variety of topics, including those pertaining to health.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. Smith is able to offer advice on a variety of topics, including those pertaining to health. http://www.spine-exercises.com

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice on a variety of topics, including those pertaining to health.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: spine surgery, surgery recovery, spine surgery recovery, surgery recovery tips