Surgery treatment or exercises for a healthy spine in all ages?

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You would probably consider it a miracle that an individual is still alive after undergoing surgery to restore their spine. However, exercise and therapeutic techniques have improved the recovery rate for patients undergoing spinal surgery. This article outlines the benefits of both treatments and makes recommendations for recovering better after undergoing surgery on your spine.

What is Spinal Surgery?

Spinal surgery can include a flexible spinal fusion, spinal decompression, or a spinal fusion and decompression at the same time. These surgeries are designed to treat back pain and other spine issues that commonly occur due to injury or degenerative changes in the spine. Some standard procedures include:

  • Decompressing a nerve root
  • Fusing two or more bones
  • Removing a bone spur and cyst
  • Ligament and spinal column repair

The benefits of using surgery over conventional treatment methods depend on the type of surgery and what condition you were diagnosed with. For example, isolated spinal stenosis would likely be treated with medication rather than surgery. However, when a patient is dealing with multiple conditions that are affecting the spine simultaneously, an orthopedic surgeon can recommend a single procedure that will improve all issues in one shot.  In general, compared to other treatments for back pain, surgery is more effective in most cases.

Tips for recovering faster 

You can heal faster if you take care of your body after surgery. Here are some tips: 

  •  Increase water intake 
  • If you don’t usually drink much water, start now so that you’re drinking more than usual.
  •  Eat right 
  •  Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables to help maintain your health and not become anemic (low blood count). 
  •  Get enough sleep 
  •  Sleep is good because your body repairs itself while you’re sleeping. 
  •  Get a workout 
  •  Exercise helps to prevent pain and improve your overall health. 
  • Give yourself time to heal. 
  • Allow time for the body to heal. Since there are varied factors that influence healing, you should give it a little time to recover from surgery, after which your doctor can make recommendations on how quickly you should begin exercising.

What exercises for a healthy spine are recommended for all ages?

You canrecover from back pain or other ailments without needing to undergo surgery. Here are some exercises that you can do that will help you to recover from your condition.

  1. If you don’t have back problems, then start by increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. This will help to strengthen your immune system and replace essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and vitamins that you may not be getting in your diet if you don’t have a healthy diet.
  2. If you have back pain caused by a herniated disc, begin with the exercises outlined below:
  • Meditation: Take some time to meditate. Our busy lifestyles often cause us to feel stressed. However, meditation allows you to clear your mind and then refocus on the day’s tasks without being stressed out about missing a deadline or having to take your kids somewhere. 
  • Walk: Start by walking around the block. If this feels too easy, try walking up and down one flight of stairs. Increase your pace as you get better at it so that you are eventually capable of jogging or even running without pain in your back.
  • You can also do other exercises that will help improve your postures, such as yoga or tai chi. 
  • Try Water Therapy: You can also try water therapy. All you need to do is fill a large container with water and then sit in it for a few minutes. See if this helps ease your back pain.
  1. If you have back problems caused by an injury, your recovery will depend on the severity of your injury. However, there are some exercises that you can start with immediately after your surgery to help you recover faster:
  • Walking: If possible after surgery, walk on both feet without too much difficulty. Increase the amount of time that you are walking each day as your body continues healing. 
  • Tai Chi: This Chinese martial art improves circulation and promotes healing by strengthening muscles through repeated movements. 
  • Yoga: Begin with easy poses such as sun salutes or standing forward bends. If these exercises feel too easy, you can move up to more challenging poses using power and momentum in your movements to help improve your flexibility in your back and your whole body. Alternatively, you could also try trying out gentler poses such as seated inversions or sleep yoga, which will help relax and reduce stress in the mind and body.

Symptoms to contact the doctor immediately

In many cases, severe back problems can be treated effectively with chiropractic care. For example, when you experience the following symptoms, the doctor should be contacted immediately:

  • Pain when lifting or moving your body -This could be a sign that an injury has occurred or that you have a spinal problem that requires medical treatment. 
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control could be a symptom of a spinal problem and a back problem. 
  • Numbness in the legs and feet – This could indicate a spinal cord injury, nerve damage, or blocked nerve pathways from pressure from your back. 
  •  Double vision could be a symptom of a spinal cord injury, brain swelling, or stroke.
  •  Paralysis – If you experience paralysis in your arms or legs, make sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible for immediate treatment. 
  •  Severe back pain that doesn’t improve with chiropractic adjustments -If you have gone through a series of adjustments but still have pain in your back, it is time to see a doctor since this could indicate a severe problem with the spine.

Conclusion

Back problems can be dangerous and can require surgery to repair the damage that has occurred. However, you can get better faster if you follow simple lifestyle tips to minimize back pain or other injuries. For example, eating right and exercising regularly will help keep your muscles strong so that you don’t get an injury.

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