If you’ve recently had back surgery or you’re discussing your options to do so with a surgeon, know that you are in good company. Close to 500,000 Americans have surgery for low back pain alone.
While surgery is often the last resort when less invasive treatments don’t relieve pain, surgery on its own doesn’t always immediately relieve the pain either. That’s why it’s recommended that other treatments be used along with surgery to relieve your pain and help to improve your quality of life.
But is it safe? Can someone who just had back surgery still receive treatments from their chiropractor? In this article, we will discuss how it’s not only safe but how a chiropractor can be your best friend after you’ve had surgery for back pain.
Is it Safe?
It’s a common misconception that chiropractic care is no longer an option once someone has had surgery on their back. The misconception often comes from the idea that manipulating the spine or neck will negatively affect the surgical areas.
The good news is that this is untrue, and chiropractic care can be appropriate after you’ve had back surgery. In fact, it’s not only appropriate but it’s encouraged in many cases.
Chiropractic care after surgery is not only safe but can help improve joint movement, nerve communication, and overall health as you continue to heal.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery
Just like any other time, the spinal adjustments that are done by a chiropractor can be incredibly helpful when it comes to relieving back pain after surgery. Spinal manipulations help address joint and neck pain, too.
Benefits of seeing your chiropractor after you’ve had back surgery include:
1. No Medications
Chances are that your recovery from surgery is going to require some medication to control pain in those initial days and weeks after. When it’s safe to do so, seeing a chiropractor can help stimulate your body’s natural alignment to help fight off pain.
2. Quicker Results
Even after surgery, you may not feel complete relief from your back pain. However, after it’s safe to return to the chiropractor, adjustments may provide immediate relief from pain and pressure from your post-surgical areas. While your recovery is going to take time, being aligned will only help those efforts in the long run.
3. Completely Safe
If you are open with your chiropractor about having surgery and what kind of procedure you are recovering from, chiropractic care is low-risk. It’s a non-invasive way to treat pain while healing from an invasive procedure.
The key to making sure you have a safe experience with a post-op chiropractic session is to communicate openly with your chiropractor about what procedure you had done. They will then be able to use a gentle approach where necessary to ensure relief and not reinjure the area.
When is it safe?
Before talking about when it might be safe to see a chiropractor after surgery, it’s important to know that every patient and every procedure is different. The more extensive the procedure, the more it is vital to give your body time to heal before you begin any kind of chiropractic care.
However, a good rule of thumb is to wait about 6 months to a year before looking into returning to the chiropractor. Make your doctor is aware that you are interested in going to chiropractic care so they can give you a more personalized timeline that is in tune with the specific procedure you had and your specific needs.
If you’re on the road to recovery from back surgery, and you would like to explore how chiropractic services can help you get back on your feet quicker, the experts at South Orange Chiropractic Center are ready to help. Our doctors are committed to helping you find relief from pain no matter what your back problems might be. Contact one of us today to discuss how we can help you feel better quickly.
