Important exercises for post spinal surgical procedure

Article by : Dr. Sittipong Suttiudom

In addition to adjusting the posture in your daily routine. There may be risk of back pain. Exercise after spinal surgery is considered important to build up stronger back muscles, reduces the pressure on the spine, and make the patient feel better. However, before exercising, for your safety consult with your spine surgeon and physical therapist to determine the correct exercise and posture.

Patients undergoing spinal surgery in the first 24-48 hours after surgery. You should try to get up and walk as soon as possible. Including breathing exercises and learn how to correctly wear the back support from a doctor or physical therapist. Do cold compress for the first to third week after surgery, you can sit, stand, walk up and down the stairs in the correct position. You can do each position for no more than 30 minutes whenever possible. You will still be required to wear a back support device for about 1 month.

Exercise after spinal disease treatment

Week 0-2 can do light exercise. However, if there is back pain during the procedure or you hear cracking sound, take a break immediately.
1. Lower abdominal muscles exercise - The lower abdominal muscles are exercised, lying flat on both sides of the knee, breathing in through the nose, exhaling through the long mouth, and stretching the lower abdomen.
2. Lying flat on the ground with your ankles pointing at the ceiling, pointing your toes to the ground, holding them for 5-10 seconds in each position.
3. Thigh Muscle Exercises - Lie flat on the ground, drag your feet by bending your knees, bending your hips up and drag it down.
4. Hip exercise Lie down on the floor, spread your hips on the sides and pull them back in, alternating sides.
Week 2-4 from week 2, stretch the back and leg muscles as follows.
1. Low back stretch to have a feeling of tightness in the back and hold for 5-10 seconds, then switch sides.
2. Lower back stretching - Lie on your back with both legs straight. Twist your legs to the same side for 5-10 seconds, then switch right to left.
3. Back thigh muscles stretching - Lie on your back, put a towel around your feet. Legs raised one by one Apply force to pull the fabric towards you. The ankles tilted up to feel the stiffness of the back of the thigh, hold for 5-10 seconds.
4. Front thigh muscles stretch - Lie on your stomach with a pillow under your stomach. Bend your legs one at a time, pulling your legs closer to your body and hold for 5-10 seconds.
Week 6 onwards can start exercising to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles and able to stretch the back muscles in each exercise position while doing so, there must be no back pain. and be careful not to bend the back or the back too much.
1. Lower back stretch - Lie on your back, lift the opposite leg and twist your torso at the same time, hold for 5-10 seconds, then switch sides.
2. Back thigh muscles stretching. - Lie on your back, raise your legs one at a time and hold for 5-10 seconds.
3. Posture to strengthen the upper abdominal muscles - Lie on your back with both knees bent. Place your arms flat on the floor of the bed, slightly raise your head and shoulder blades, and hold for 5-10 seconds.
4. Exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles - Lie on your back with both knees bent,bring your left hand to the right knee. The right hand is placed flat on the floor of the bed for 5-10 seconds, then switch sides.
5. Exercises to strengthen the back muscles. Lie down on a pillow under the stomach, stretch your legs straight, lifting them one by one. The left leg alternates with the right leg. Then raise your arms One by one, switch left and right, when the back muscles get stronger, can make it more difficult by raising the arms and legs on the opposite side at the same time, hold for 5-10 seconds, then switch.
6. Posture to strengthen the glutes and core muscles. Lie on your back, place your arms flat on the bed, raise your hips, lift your buttock bed and hold for 5-10 seconds.
7. Exercise back and abdominal muscles. Lie on your stomach with a pillow under your stomach so that your back does not bend. Set your elbows up and hold your torso up and hold for 5-10 seconds.

After 6 weeks you can do light exercise and other activities such as cycling with a backrest, Walk on a treadmill for 15-30 minute four days a week. Avoid intense physical activity that can put an impact on your organs, physical activities such as sports that require running and jumping, such as football, golf, and bowling.