Chiropractic Treatment is Shown to Improve Recovery Time in Back Surgery Patients
Chiropractic care can benefit any person, regardless of age or ability. There are many treatments in addition to spinal alignment and a well-rounded wellness plan can be of great help to many people. Unfortunately, some injuries or maladies require a medically-invasive surgery that be difficult to recover from. On the other hand, many people may be able to avoid these costly surgeries by receiving chiropractic instead. If surgery is required, chiropractic may also help aid in recovering sooner.
The time it takes to recover from spinal surgery can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may be back to work in two weeks while others may be laid up for a year, with about 12 weeks being the average. If you want to shave that time down, chiropractic care is a good place to start. Since chiropractors are experts in the human spine, they have a deeper understanding that general physicians on how to treat it effectively. After assessing a patient, a chiropractic doctor can recommend a multidisciplinary treatment plan that could include a variety of treatments.
Chiropractic adjustments may help to relax the muscles and realign vertebrae that may have shifted during surgery or recovery. As the muscles relax, fluids in the body are stimulated to travel towards the spinal area, bringing with it oxygen and other essential nutrients that can promote healing. Range of motion exercises may also be implement, both in the clinic and at home. It is important to follow your wellness plan fully and discuss any concerns you have with your doctors.
While chiropractic treatments have been shown to improve recovery time in most back and spinal injuries, it is not for everyone. People who have had spinal fusion surgeries may want to avoid chiropractic treatments, at least initially. Most doctors recommend a year of healing before beginning chiropractic care, depending on the situation. Since most spinal fusion patients experience chronic pain for some time after their recovery, chiropractic care may come in handy later on. Distraction decompression combined with spinal adjustments has been shown to reduce pain in post-spinal fusion patients. If you have received a spinal fusion surgery or any other sort of surgery or injury, speak with your general physician before beginning any new wellness treatments.