Back surgery and its recovery can be, quite literally, a pain in the back. There’s the cost and physical effort of the initial procedure as well as time off from work to recover. And even the best surgeon can’t guarantee that you’ll be symptom free once the dust settles. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to still seek back pain relief after surgery. That’s where chiropractic care comes in. This alternate process is especially popular for being both non-invasive and holistic. But is it safe to see a chiropractor if you’ve had back surgery? Get answers to this common question.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic is a non-invasive treatment method that uses spinal manipulations called adjustments. These controlled pressure movements are aimed at restoring joint mobility and are believed to improve everything from arthritis to poor posture and even stress. It’s especially popular among back pain patients, who may continue to have discomfort even after surgery. These patients may be able to safely pursue chiropractic treatment, with a few caveats.
Take Your Time
When back pain lingers, it’s easy to want relief immediately. But rushing into chiropractic care too soon after surgery runs the risk of causing worse pain. Be it kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty or any of countless major procedures, your back surgery likely requires a certain amount of time for recovery and healing. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to wait up to six months post surgery to pursue chiropractic care.
Understand the Risks
Done in the right circumstances, by a licensed and experienced practitioner, chiropractic care can be a gentle, easy way to improve pain. But if a surgery patient pursues treatment too early, they can experience new problems. In fact, the adjustments and manipulation during a session could reinjure your spine.
Talk to Your Doctor
It can be tempting to rush into chiropractic care but before you do this, talk to your doctor. They can advise you if your particular condition will do well with chiropractic treatment and if so, when is best to try treatment. Your physician may even refer you to a chiropractor they work with to ensure you get the best treatment to align with your particular spinal considerations.
Chiropractic care from a back pain doctor is relatively gentle, non-invasive and safe – in the right hands and under the right circumstances. If you’ve recently had back surgery, chiropractic care can still be an option, depending on your situation. Take the above into consideration and contact a chiropractor today if you’d like to learn more.