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.
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.
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