Spine Care Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation can help patients to recover from spine surgery quickly. Spine rehabilitation refers to identification and correction of problems related to spine and surrounding tissues and help to restore spine functions.

The common injuries of the spine are degenerative disc of the lumbar vertebrae, cervical vertebra problems, fractures of the spine, arthritis, back pain, scoliosis, and inflammation of muscles attached to spine,

Primary procedures followed after surgery

• RICE (rest. ice, compression and elevation)
• Using braces or crutches
• Sports massage
• Medications which include anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen

In addition to the above mentioned procedures some of the common strengthening and stretching exercises are suggested by physiotherapists that can relieve pain and improve the function of spine and these exercises are suggested based on the condition, age, and other factors.

• Scoliosis: It is the sideways curving of spine that occurs at thoracic or at lumbar vertebrae of spine. Exercises suggested by physiotherapist include side stretching, lower back stretching, bending sideways, and hip rotation. Sports massage can also help to release the tension of the spine muscles and improves the circulation of blood.
• Inflammation of the muscles of spine: Some of the exercises include sideways and forward head tilting and shrugging of shoulders. These exercises are carried out 3 times in a day for first two weeks. Exercising too much will again cause pressure on the spine muscles
• Lower back pain: It causes strain to lower back muscles. Lower back stretch, pulling your knee up by lying down, knee rolling, and cat stretch are the exercises recommended.
• Spinal cord shock: This occurs when spinal cord is injured following a trauma. This shock begins a few minutes after the injury and may take several months to recover. During this condition the patient nerves are unable to transmit signals causing loss of movement and sensation of the body. Physiotherapy is recommended once the patient is stabilized after the surgery which involves hydrotherapy (treatment with hot or cold water depending on the injury) and stretching exercises, massages, and also speech therapy is recommended which will guide on your sitting or standing postures at work post surgery.

Gradually increasing the exercises regularly will strengthen your spine muscles