Peak Performance Chiropractic Ledgewood-Succusunna-Pompton Plains
  • Home
  • Services
  • Conditions Treated
  • After Your 1st Visit
  • Kinesiotape
  • Ask Us
  • Blog

Post spinal-fusion surgery management

2/15/2013

5 Comments

 
A new patient entered our office complaining of severe lower back pain and spasm, with difficulty bending and moving. She underwent spinal fusion surgery when she was younger and is now 22 years of age. She was unsure of what she can do and if chiropractic could help her being that her spinal structures have been fused together and she cannot be manipulated.
Sometimes, severe scoliosis at young ages can be detrimental to a child's development and internal structures if greater than 35 degrees. Although a last resort, spinal fusion is sometimes a necessary evil. However, fusion does not solve the problem completely. This condition must continue to be managed throughout life. Many times the patient is sent back into the world after rehab post surgery without proper education about their situation, how their body will react to the surgery, and what changes have and will occur as they grow older.

Because the spinal structures have been fused, other regions of the body will take on abnormal strains and stresses during daily activities, and especially with exercise and sports. Early arthritis and injuries can develop as a result. The patient must understand how this process works and how to manage this issue.

While a fused spine can not be manipulated, chiropractic can still be helpful. Knowing how the body adapts and compensates to the lack of spinal mobility, chiropractors can treat the areas around the spinal structures, from muscles to ligaments and tendons. . Exercise can be monitored as well to decide which movements would be beneficial, and which would be harmful and injurious.

Being aware of your body's changes as well as allowing a chiropractor to help manage your musculoskeletal health is important to your future physical condition. Spinal surgery isn't a cure all. It is your job to continue to take care of your body even more than the average person, so that the difficult times going through surgery and struggling through rehabilitation was not wasted.

Contact a chiropractor to find out how and what you should be doing to manage your health, even WITH spinal fusion.
5 Comments
minimally invasive spine surgery link
3/24/2013 11:26:25 pm

Sleeping on the back is good because it helps the mattress is doing its job, supporting the spine

Reply
Jonathan Karnitsky
3/29/2013 11:52:36 pm

Yes sleeping on your back is far better than sleeping face down. However, sometimes back sleeping allows your head and neck to tilt or rotate during the night unless you have the proper pillow to cradle the head and keep it straight. It's not as simple as having a curved surface as your head can still slip or tilt.

Side sleeping can prevent this, as long as you have the proper sized pillow for your shoulder width. It can keep your head lined up with the rest of your body, as gravity holds your head down against the pillow instead of flopping side to side. In this case, proper pillow size for shoulder width is actually more important than any gimmicky system consisting of Tempurpedic materials or weird shapes.

Of course this may not be the best position for those with shoulder injuries, but for most, it can be a good neutral position that can be maintained through the night.

And don't forget, if you wake up stiff, it's not merely because you "slept wrong". You probably triggered a pre existing issue. If that is the case your chiropractor can help you figure out the problem.

Reply
pacesaver link
7/30/2013 09:36:58 pm

Spinal injuries can cause problems with mobility

Reply
cosmetic surgery fort lauderdale link
8/29/2013 03:49:33 pm

yes i agree with you if spinal structures have been fused, other regions of the body will take on abnormal strains and stresses during daily activities.

Reply
Marilyn link
1/19/2021 12:49:56 am

Hi nice reeading your blog

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed