Every year, people turn to chiropractic care for help alleviating their back pain, assistance overcoming an injury, and support correcting imbalances. The relief and rehabilitation commonly found at the chiropractor are enjoyed by many. For those who have undergone back surgery, however, there is a pressing question—is it safe to have chiropractic care after having back surgery?
There are a number of factors to consider when considering chiropractic care after back surgery, as no two patients are the same. Some back surgery patients may be able to safely receive all forms of chiropractic care, while others may need to limit their treatment. The good news is that the majority of those who have experienced back surgery can benefit from chiropractic care upon healing.
When is it Safe to Start Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery?
After back surgery, it is important to be patient and allow your back to recover before jumping into chiropractic care. Regardless of the type of surgery you’ve had, it is an invasive process that takes a toll on the body and needs time to heal. As such, taking the type of surgery into account is essential, as it plays a significant role in the time needed to heal.
Spinal fusion surgery, for example, can take upwards of a year to fully heal. This includes the time needed for general healing, the period required for the vertebrae to fuse, and the physical therapy necessary to strengthen the supporting musculature. During this process, avoiding strain and reinjury is absolutely vital.
Beginning chiropractic care before your back is fully healed from surgery can lead to injury and serious complications, especially if a spinal fusion is involved. As such, you should communicate openly with your doctor to ensure that your back is healing properly and on schedule, then receive their approval before beginning any new activities or treatments, chiropractic care included.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery
Whether your back surgery was successful and you’re seeking additional relief and rehabilitation, or you are dissatisfied with the results and are searching for an alternative, turning to a chiropractor can work wonders.
Reduced Back and Neck Pain
Discomfort and even pain in the back and neck are not uncommon following back surgery. Your chiropractor is trained extensively in the craft of treating these things at the source. They will work with you to realign the spine, make necessary adjustments, and address any issues. If you have undergone a spinal fusion, your chiropractor will treat you without any rotational manipulations to ensure your health and safety.
Improved Range of Motion and Stability
Regaining range of motion after back surgery is a challenge even with the assistance of physical therapy. Chiropractic care can help improve your range of motion, including post-spinal fusion. In the same way, stability surrounding the surgery site is often lacking. This is due to the invasive nature of surgery and the ability of the body to compensate for weakened areas. Chiropractic treatment can help these areas gain strength and stability, allowing you to regain more normal back function. Chiropractic and Active Release Technique treatment can help these areas gain strength and stability, allowing you to regain more normal back function. Dr. Eric is certified in Active Release Technique which can be helpful for resolving soft tissue tightness and guarding after back surgery. Its effective diagnostic process can locate the root of the soft tissue pain that can result after any injury or surgery.
Gentle and Safe
One of the primary concerns back surgery patients have when considering chiropractic treatment is safety. This is entirely natural, as protecting your health post-surgery is essential to healing and long-term health. Thankfully, modern chiropractic care is gentle and safe, especially with the innovation of instrument adjusting.
While chiropractors are highly skilled in the art of manual adjustment and can utilize it to help back surgery patients, chiropractic tools have expanded their ability to help those who require precision and micro-adjustments.
If you are considering chiropractic care following your back surgery, be sure to communicate with both your doctor and chiropractor to ensure it is a viable choice given your circumstances. Chances are, you could benefit from visiting the chiropractor after back surgery.