With a growing belly and changes in connective tissue, many pregnant women are unable to stay comfortable. A pregnancy chiropractor is safe and effective in helping manage pain in the back, hips, legs, joints and establish pelvic balance. This can provide the baby with space to grow and move throughout the pregnancy and lead to faster, easier labor and delivery. Relief and better symptom management are possible with a pregnancy chiropractor.
Chiropractic Is Safe During Pregnancy
Before engaging in any treatment during pregnancy, consult a doctor. For the most part, non-invasive chiropractic is considered safe for healthy, low-risk pregnancies and even higher-risk pregnancies once cleared by a doctor. Because pregnant women cannot take medications or undergo other invasive treatment options for pain, chiropractic treatment is recommended for sore, tight muscles, irritability, and pain management.
How A Pregnancy Chiropractor Can Help
What a chiropractor can offer includes:
Restore pelvic balance.
Improve mechanics for standing, sitting, and walking that could otherwise cause pain.
Pain management through therapeutic massage and adjustments.
Optimize the pelvic position to allow for an easier birth; evidence indicates a shorter labor time thanks to an optimal pelvic position.
Clinic Appointment
The pregnancy chiropractor begins with an initial consultation. Here the patient asks questions, discusses any concerns, along with a full assessment of medical history. They will suggest various treatment options to restore the body to its optimal balance. The chiropractor will continually monitor the patient to tailor the treatments to their specific needs and achieve the most relief.
Body Composition
Impact of Breastfeeding and Body Composition
It turns out that breastfeeding and weight loss are showing that there could be a relationship. A study suggested that breastfeeding could eliminate weight gain during six months. These findings are corroborated by another study comparing body fat loss between exclusively breastfeeding and mixed feeding mothers. The researchers found that exclusively breastfeeding promotes more significant body fat loss than mixed feeding among mothers during the first 12 weeks after childbirth. A weight loss of approximately about a pound per week between 4 and 14 weeks after delivery in overweight, lactating women who were exclusively breastfeeding showed no adverse effect on the growth and development of their newborns.
References
Bernard, Maria, and Peter Tuchin. “Chiropractic Management of Pregnancy-Related Lumbopelvic Pain: A Case Study.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 15,2 (2016): 129-33. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2016.04.003
Borggren, Cara L. “Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 6,2 (2007): 70-4. doi:10.1016/j.jcme.2007.04.004
Weis, Carol Ann et al. “Chiropractic Care for Adults With Pregnancy-Related Low Back, Pelvic Girdle Pain, or Combination Pain: A Systematic Review.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 43,7 (2020): 714-731. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2020.05.005
It is one thing to wake up with back pain, but another when the pain is combined with a fever, body aches, and chills. It could be the flu or another infection. However, after checking the body’s temperature and fever is present with no other symptoms than back pain unless it is the flu; the fever could be another issue that may or may not be related as there are a variety of causes for back pain like:
Muscle or ligament strain – If in poor physical condition, repeated and constant tension on the back can cause muscle spasms. Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain the back muscles and spinal ligaments.
Bulging or ruptured discs – Discs act as cushions between the bones/vertebrae in the spine. The soft material inside a disc can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve. However, a bulging or ruptured disc can present without back pain. Disc disease is often found by accident when spine X-rays are performed for another reason.
Arthritis – Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can narrow the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis – The spine’s vertebrae can develop painful fractures if the bones become porous and brittle.
Back pain without a fever is usually an indication of a misaligned spine.
Fever A Sign of Something Else
A fever is the body’s way of trying to raise its core temperature in an attempt to kill off a virus or a bacterial infection. Possible causes of back pain with fever include:
Kidney Infection
This type of infection often presents with low back pain and fever.
Spinal Epidural Abscess
This is an infection of the lower region of the spine, causing fever and lower back pain.
Vertebral Osteomyelitis
This is an infection of the lower spine that causes pain in the arms, lower back, and legs, along with a fever.
Meningitis
This causes swelling and inflammation of the brain and spine and needs to be addressed immediately.
Spinal Cord Abscess
This is an infection of the internal part of the spine. It is rare but can happen, causing low back pain and fever.
Symptoms
This is when seeing a chiropractor can help. A few signs that should not be ignored include:
Recently involved in an automobile accident.
Suffered a serious fall.
Feeling a tingling in the legs.
Having balance issues.
Having abdominal pain.
Pain is not going away, or it goes away for a while, then comes back.
Have weakness in the arms or legs.
Having bowel or urinary problems that were not present previously.
The pain is worse when sitting or standing up after sitting.
Have upper back pain after alcohol consumption.
A chiropractor will take a complete medical history, X-rays, an MRI if necessary, and a thorough physical examination will be performed to determine the cause. After a diagnosis is reached, the chiropractor will perform adjustments to relieve the pain and open the nerve pathways to increase circulation to the area. A chiropractic massage will help reduce stress, relieve back pain, and reduce depression, which can also help reduce the fever unless it is from another issue.
Body Composition
Influenza
Influenza or the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and, in extreme cases, can lead to death. Like a common cold, the flu is spread primarily through tiny droplets that get expelled from an infected person when they sneeze, cough, or talk. Approximately 8% of the population gets the flu each season. Flu symptoms are sudden, causing the following:
Fever
Chills
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Cough
Fatigue
Vomiting and diarrhea which is more common in children.
Most individuals with healthy immune systems will recover around seven days. However, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals of any age with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, and children under the age of five have an increased risk of developing complications. Flu vaccination is currently recommended for anyone older than six months in the U.S. and effectively prevents infection in 50 – 80% of the population. The primary treatment method for the flu is to support the immune system with plenty of rest, proper nutrition, and hydration.
References
Ameer MA, Knorr TL, Mesfin FB. Spinal Epidural Abscess. [Updated 2021 Feb 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441890/
Kehrer, Michala et al. “Increased short- and long-term mortality among patients with infectious spondylodiscitis compared with a reference population.” The spine journal: official journal of the North American Spine Society vol. 15,6 (2015): 1233-40. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2015.02.021
Rubin, Devon I. “Epidemiology and risk factors for spine pain.” Neurologic clinics vol. 25,2 (2007): 353-71. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2007.01.004
Tsantes, Andreas G et al. “Spinal Infections: An Update.” Microorganisms vol. 8,4 476. 27 Mar. 2020, doi:10.3390/microorganisms8040476
Changing positions and posture. Individuals who have to sit at a desk, workstation, or cubicle for most of the day increase their risk of back pain, contributing to other health issues. GetAmericaStanding.org reports the average adult sits for ten hours or more a day. Prolonged sitting at home and work without movement, physical activity, exercise can lead to issues like:
Pain
Irritability
Cardiovascular problems
Obesity
Diabetes
Long periods of inactivity are associated with increased mortality as sedentariness causes the same damage related to smoking and obesity. It can be challenging to find ways to remain active while sitting at work; this is where changing positions and posture, also known as dynamic sitting throughout the day, can help.
Changing Positions and Posture Throughout the Day
Constantly sitting in a chair means the body remains static, causing blood and energy circulation to slow down, stressing the body’s muscles. Changing the body’s positions regularly along with short periods of activity like standing up, walking around while on the phone, and stretching helps to work out the muscles and keep circulation at optimal levels.
The Importance of Changing Positions and Posture
The body was meant to move and requires movement to stay healthy.
Staying in one position for too long can lead to loss of core strength from the abdominal musculature becoming deconditioned. Muscle deconditioning leads to weakness and tightness. The imbalance affects the spinal support system leading to back, hip, and leg pain. Moving around and doing quick mini-workouts can help strengthen the body, increase core strength, improve posture, burn calories and prevent pain and injury.
The Basics
According to a 2018 study, researchers found improvements in cardiometabolic health among individuals that would stand up, sit less, and move more. Ways to adjust the work or home office to make changing positions and posture easier include.
Sit-stand desks can be raised and lowered throughout the day to change position regularly.
Treadmill desks are actual treadmills that are fitted with a desk so individuals can work and walk simultaneously.
These small changes and adjustments can make a big difference when experiencing body pain from too much sedentariness. However, it is crucial to know if other issues are causing the health problem/s. If back or any pain is associated with any of the following, consult a medical professional.
Trauma from an accident or injury.
Balance issues.
Weakness in the legs.
Infection.
Fever.
Unexplained weight loss.
Overflow urinary incontinence is when the bladder fills up and empties without feeling the need to urinate.
Severe constipation.
Body Composition
How to Read Blood Pressure Measurements
An individual’s blood pressure includes:
Systolic Blood Pressure
This is the first or top number listed on a blood pressure reading and is the measurement of the pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries.
A normal systolic reading should be less than 120 mm Hg.
Diastolic Blood Pressure
This is the second number that measures the force of the blood against the artery walls when the heart is resting between beats.
A normal diastolic reading is less than 80 mm Hg.
Pulse
The pulse is the number of beats per minute the heart is beating.
A normal adult pulse is between 60 to 100 beats per minute.
When checking blood pressure, a doctor will read out a vital sign in the normal range of 120/80 mmHg or below. Anything above that could be an indication of an underlying health condition.
References
“Ergonomics for Prolonged Sitting.” The University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. https://www.uclahealth.org/spinecenter/ergonomics-prolonged-sitting
“Workplace sitting is associated with self-reported general health and back/neck pain: a cross-sectional analysis in 44,978 employees.” BMC Public Health, London, UK. May 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33957889/
“Active Sitting Guide: 6 Reasons To Really Consider It.” The Ergonomics Health Association. (n.d.) https://ergonomicshealth.com/active-sitting-guide/
“Cardiometabolic Impact of Changing Sitting, Standing, and Stepping in the Workplace.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Indianapolis, IN. March 2018. https://oce.ovid.com/article/00005768-201803000-00015/HTML
“Reducing occupational sitting time and improving worker health: the Take-a-Stand Project, 2011.” Preventing Chronic Disease, Atlanta, GA. 2012.
“Office exercise: Add more activity to your day.” The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. October 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-exercise/art-20047394
“The Tools: Put an End to Your Sedentary Lifestyle.” Ergotron, St. Paul, MN. (n.d.). https://www.juststand.org/the-tools/
The thoracic upper back or middle back is designed for stability to anchor the rib cage and protect the organs within the chest. Compared to the neck and lower back, the upper back is highly resistant to injury and pain. When thoracic upper back pain does present, it is usually brought on from long-term poor posture or an injury that overwhelms the sturdiness. It is less common than lower back and neck pain, but it does affect around 20% of the population and primarily women. It can occur for a variety of reasons, and chiropractic treatment can bring long-term relief.
The delicate balance and function can create potential issues and imbalances, causing soreness, strain, and pain. Underlying causes for thoracic upper back pain include:
Direct impact on the area.
Injury from a fall, sports, or automobile accident.
Unhealthy posturing/positions that place added strain on the spine, causing misalignment.
Repetitive motions and overuse like pulling, pushing, reaching, and twisting.
Repetitive/Improper shoulder mechanics can lead to muscle imbalance and poor movement.
Chiropractic can realign the spine and body if experiencing any of the following:
Symptoms that keep returning even with the use of medication.
Home remedies do not bring adequate relief.
Unable to prevent symptoms from presenting.
Chronic pain.
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic will develop a personalized/customized treatment plan specific to the individual’s needs. Treatment will include:
Spinal adjustments to improve alignment and nerve integrity.
Therapeutic massage.
Posture training to increase spinal alignment.
Exercise training to restore muscular balance.
Health coaching.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet.
Body Composition
Sitting For Prolonged Periods
Weakened Muscles
Metabolism is linked with body composition, meaning that increased muscle increases metabolism helping to burn more calories.
When sitting, the gluteal muscles, abdominal muscles, and legs become inactive.
Sitting for extended periods day after day can cause these muscles to degenerate.
Consistent muscle loss from the lower body can hurt the body’s functional strength and, with age, increase the risk of injury.
Any muscle loss, especially from the lower body, and is the largest muscle group, can lead to consistent fat gain.
Circulation Slows Down
Sitting for too long also slows down blood flow to the brain and the legs, causing them to become sluggish.
Sitting without standing can increase the risk of developing blood clots.
Blood clots can break off and cause blockages throughout the body.
One study showed a significant reduction in the vascular flow after sitting for just three hours.
But individuals who took breaks and got up to walk around for two minutes every hour showed improved circulation.
References
Beddhu, Srinivasan et al. “Light-intensity physical activities and mortality in the United States general population and CKD subpopulation.” Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology: CJASN vol. 10,7 (2015): 1145-53. doi:10.2215/CJN.08410814
Briggs AM, Smith AJ, Straker LM, Bragge P. Thoracic spine pain in the general population: Prevalence, incidence and associated factors in children, adolescents and adults. A systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2009;10:77.
Fouquet N, Bodin J, Descatha A, et al. Prevalence of thoracic spine pain in a surveillance network. Occup Med (Lond). 2015;65(2):122-5.
McManus, Ali M et al. “Impact of prolonged sitting on vascular function in young girls.” Experimental physiology vol. 100,11 (2015): 1379-87. doi:10.1113/EP085355
The sciatic nerve is formed through a combination of motor and sensory fibers based on the spinal nerves of the lower back L4 to S3, known as the lumbosacral plexus. It is the largest and longest nerve in the human body and about as wide as an adult thumb. It begins at the base of the spine, runs along the back of each leg, and ends at the foot supplying the areas with fresh blood and nutrients. There are sciatic nerve branches that consist of primary branches and smaller branches.
Sciatic Nerve Branches
The nerve splits into two main branches near the back of the knee called the popliteal fossa.
This fossa is located slightly above the joint behind the knee.
The popliteal fossa is a diamond-shaped space that acts as the conduit for the blood vessels and nerves.
Primary branches
From the popliteal fossa:
The tibial nerve continues down the back of the calf to the heel and bottom of the foot.
The common peroneal nerve, aka common fibular nerve, travels sideways along the outer part of the knee to the outer border of the lower leg and foot.
Both nerves convert into small sensory nerves in the calf that supply the outer side of each foot.
The sciatic nerve breaks off into smaller branches, known as collaterals, that include:
These are muscle branches that supply the muscles in the thigh, including the hamstring group and the adductor magnus muscles along the inner thigh.
Other small branches supply the leg and foot muscles.
Articular branches supply the back of the hip joint, the back and side of the knee joint.
The sciatic nerve does not supply structures in the buttocks; however, pain commonly radiates/spreads into this area when the nerve is impaired, impinged, and inflamed.
Blood Supply
The delivery of nutrients to the sciatic nerve is done through blood vessels that also contribute to the nerve’s function. Any interruption of blood flow to the sciatic nerve can cause pain and dysfunction. The sciatic nerve and the sciatic nerve branches receive their blood supply from two sources that include:
The extrinsic system is made up of nearby arteries and veins.
The intrinsic system includes arteries and veins that run along the nerve and are embedded deep in a sheath known as the epineurium of connective tissue that envelops the nerve.
The intrinsic blood supply can be affected by conditions like diabetes, which can contribute to symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Both systems connect at various junction points.
Nerve Function
The combination of sensory and motor fibers that make up the sciatic nerve provides the essential functions in the lower limbs allowing the body to:
Stand
Walk
Run
Climb
Lift
A healthy sciatic nerve is well protected around the low back and buttock muscles where it starts, and it cannot be palpated or felt by touching or pressing on the area. When the nerve gets inflamed, injured, or pinched, the leg can feel stiff and inflexible when trying to move and can lead to pain, weakness, and tingling in the lower back, buttock, leg/s, and feet.
Anatomical Variations of the Nerve
Individuals can have variations in the anatomical structure of the sciatic nerve. These variations are considered normal, but they can increase the risk of developing sciatica brought on by impingement, entrapment, or irritation of the nerve root/s. Variations in sciatic nerve branches include:
The nerve divides above the piriformis muscle; one portion passes through the piriformis, with the other portion exiting the pelvis below the muscle. This is the most common variation.
The nerve divides above the piriformis muscle; one portion passes through the piriformis, with the other portion exiting the pelvis above the muscle.
The nerve divides above the piriformis, with one portion traveling in front while the other travels behind it.
Undivided sciatic nerve exits through the piriformis muscle.
Undivided sciatic nerve exits from behind the top part of the piriformis.
Around 10% of individuals have a nerve that divides above the popliteal fossa and does not merge but courses down in two separate branches.
The sciatic nerve and the sciatic nerve branches are significant components of the body. It supplies motor functions to move the legs and feet and provides sensory functions along the nerve path. Keeping the sciatic nerve healthy is key in helping to prevent back and spinal issues. Chiropractic can help realign the sciatic nerve and educate on maintaining the nerve’s health.
Body Composition
Fitness Motivation
New workout routine
Individuals that don’t feel like returning to previous workout routines are recommended to try out other fitness options. If the gym isn’t cutting it or there is burnout with the current routine, switch things up. This can include:
Virtual group classes.
1-on-1 personal training.
Outdoor activities.
All are valid options to explore if in a rut with the current routine.
The important thing is to find what works for you.
Allow the body to rest
Individuals may want to push it to the limit to get back into shape, but rest days are essential for healthy muscle development and improved performance.
Noticing the body is more sore and exhausted after a workout is an indication that the body needs rest. This also includes:
Maintaining proper hydration.
Stretching out the muscles regularly.
Taking days off from exercising are necessary to:
Prevent muscle fatigue.
Reduce the risk of injury.
Allow for adequate muscle recovery.
Long term commitment is key
It can be discouraging to commit to a workout schedule only to notice minor changes to strength and fitness.
However, small improvements do accumulate over time.
Small increases over time can have a huge impact on overall strength and fitness.
Keep the bigger picture in mind to remain positive.
References
Davis D, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2019 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
Barral J, Croibier A. Manual Therapy for the Peripheral Nerves. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2007.
Ryan MM, Jones HR Jr. Mononeuropathies. In: Neuromuscular Disorders of Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence. Elsevier; 2015:243-273. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-417044-5.00014-7
Any job-related back injury can significantly complicate an individual’s life. Dealing with the pain, trying to figure out how to get things done while in recovery, and workers’ compensation to protect individuals who are injured on the job, getting them healthy without the stress of worrying about losing money from missing work.
Job-Related Injury
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or O.S.H.A., a job-related injury is one that either contributed to or is caused by something in the work environment that injures an individual or exacerbates/worsens a previous injury. This is a general overview of the definition, and there are some exceptions. For example, being at the place of work as a general public citizen and not working when an injury happens will not be covered. If not sure whether a back injury is job-related, it’s better to be cautious and report the incident as soon as it happens.
Common Back Injuries
Back injuries are the most common job-related injuries. Back injuries are the number one reason individuals cannot work, whether they hurt their back at home or on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that nearly 40% of all musculoskeletal injuries that resulted in lost workdays were because of back injuries. The most common back injuries include:
Every state’s workers’ compensation program is different; however, the basic components are the same throughout. This means that if a workers’ compensation claim is approved and an individual cannot work because of their injury, they can expect to receive a regular base salary during treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. Individuals also continue to receive medical coverage through the company, while the workers’ compensation fund should pay for treatment and diagnostics related to the injury.
When A Back Injury Occurs at Work
When a back happens at work, inform the employer as soon as possible. Do not be embarrassed or feel as if it is not a big deal to seek workers’ compensation. It is an insurance program for both the individual and the employer. An employer pays into the state’s workers’ compensation program for limited liability when employees get injured. Individuals don’t pay for the program, but it protects the individual in case something happens.
Letting an injury go untreated might not be anything at first, but months and years later, it can come back and be worse than when it first happened, causing greater damage, added medical costs, and procedures that the individual has to pay for out of pocket.
Once an individual knows they have a back injury, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent worsening the injury or create new ones and develop a treatment, rehabilitation, and strengthening program. If an individual needs emergency care, tell the doctors about the work injury and precisely what happened. Emergency medical care should be sought out when:
There is a loss of function in any of the limbs.
There is a persistent numbness with the back pain.
There is nausea, dizziness, or vomiting after the injury.
There is a fever with back pain.
Loss of consciousness.
Loss of bowel or bladder control.
If the injury is not immediate and progresses gradually, but suspect that it is from work, it should be reported and examined by a medical professional.
Treatment
Proper treatment for a back injury depends on the severity of the injury. Those who prefer non-invasive, medication-free treatment are able to recover with chiropractic or physical therapy. Chiropractic doctors are experts in the spine and the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic treatment is safe, and proven, and can help relieve pain, restore function, to get back to work safely.
Body Composition
Resistance Exercise
Resistance workouts are made to stress the muscles resulting in muscle gain. Resistance exercise makes the body adapt by growing the muscles to make them more capable of handling intense forces without strain. The stress of resistance exercise causes the muscle fibers to tear at the cellular level. Then, special muscle cells, known as satellite cells, jump into action to repair, rebuild, and grow the muscle. These types of exercises include high-intensity workouts or compound exercises that increase muscle growth. However, there needs to be a healthy balance between workouts and rest to support healthy hormone levels and maximize muscle gain.
Hormones
There are three primary hormones that stimulate muscle hypertrophy. They are:
Insulin-like growth factor 1 IGF-1
Growth hormone GH
Testosterone
Muscle protein synthesis is a critical process in muscle hypertrophy and happens after weight training. The hormones signal to the muscle to repair and rebuild after workout sessions. GH is released in high quantities during sleep, which is why proper sleep is needed to help reach body composition goals. When nutrition, workouts, and hormonal effects are combined, muscle-building happens. Figuring out the right balance is essential for reaching health goals.
References
Burton, A K, and E Erg. “Back injury and work loss. Biomechanical and psychosocial influences.” Spine vol. 22,21 (1997): 2575-80. doi:10.1097/00007632-199711010-00021
Marjorie L Baldwin, Pierre Côté, John W Frank, William G Johnson, Cost-effectiveness studies of medical and chiropractic care for occupational low back pain: a critical review of the literature, The Spine Journal, Volume 1, Issue 2, 2001, Pages 138-147, ISSN 1529-9430, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1529-9430(01)00016-X.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S152994300100016X)
Randall, Sara. “1. Avoiding back injury.” The practicing midwife vol. 17,11 (2014): 10, 12-4.
Taking it slow after spinal surgery is recommended to optimize a full recovery. What usually happens is that an individual starts feeling normal/better, so they begin to engage in a few daily activities. Then pain presents, letting the individual know that they have done too much too soon. The pain does not necessarily signal re-injuring the area, but recovery should be treated seriously. More than 50% of patients have successful spine surgery, but repeat surgeries do not tend to be quite as effective. Doing too much too early during recovery can result in severe re-injury or creating new injuries. So when can an individual get back to everyday life?
Surgery Recovery
Recovery after back surgery is different for everyone. Low back lumbar fusion surgeries usually require more recovery time than lumbar non-fusion surgeries, like:
Laminectomy – when the lamina portion of a vertebra is removed.
Microdiscectomy – the removal of abnormal disc material
Cervical spine surgeries.
Individuals who have undergone a procedure where two or more vertebrae have been surgically fused should expect a longer recovery. A typical timeline for lumbar fusion usually involves around three months. What happens is individuals want to get up and move, doing household activities almost immediately because they feel so good, but this is because of the pain medications. Strong pain medication use ends by four to six weeks. It is not until after 12 weeks or three months with post-operative chiropractic rehabilitation and physical therapy that individuals are encouraged to engage in specific physical activities that will optimize the healing process.
Taking It Slow With Certain Activities
Specific activities should not be engaged in after lumbar fusion surgery, as it requires a higher level of caution during recovery.
No Bending, Lifting, and Twisting
Bending, lifting, and twisting all require the direct use of the back muscles. Performing these movements can cause serious damage and hinder proper healing. Therefore it is recommended not to bend, lift, or twist for six weeks.
No Taking Baths or Swimming
Taking showers can be done right away with protective plastic or a sponge bath for a few days after surgery, but it is advised not to take baths or go swimming for three weeks.
No Cardiovascular Exercise
While the back may be feeling better after the spine surgery, cardiovascular exercise is not recommended for at least six to 12 weeks as it is too strenuous on the back. Light walking is fine, but the doctor and a chiropractor and physical therapist will develop a controlled, progressive exercise program for the individual. The program usually starts between 6 weeks and three months after surgery. This can include working out on an elliptical machine, a stationary bike, or easy treadmill walking.
Listening to The Body
The doctor will be clear about what can and can’t be done immediately following back surgery. Therefore it is crucial to follow the instructions to avoid any complications and listen to the body. Don’t push through activity or try taking on too much. Give the body and spine time to heal, taking it slow. There is time to get back to normal activities, but if re-injury or new injuries occur, rehabilitation/recovery could become the regular activity.
Body Composition
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is defined as deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in an individual’s energy intake and/or nutrients. Protein-energy deficiency is one of the most common forms of malnutrition, and this health condition has an immediate and negative impact on body composition. The deficit wreaks havoc on skeletal muscle mass as the body progressively goes into starvation mode, breaking down the protein stored in the muscle for fuel.
Micronutrient deficiency is a lack of minerals and vitamins that support vital bodily processes like cell regeneration, immune system health, and eyesight. Common examples include iron or calcium deficiencies. Micronutrient deficiency has the most significant impact on normal physiological functions, processes and can happen in conjunction with a lack of protein-energy. This is because most micronutrients are obtained from food. Nutritional deficiencies of specific micronutrients can affect processes like building and repairing muscle; protein deficiency has a more pronounced effect on body composition because lowered protein intake can lead to muscle mass loss. Malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies in adults include:
Physical function, including handgrip strength and physical performance, diminishes.
Serious medical conditions can result from fluid accumulation like edema.
References
Daniell, James R, and Orso L Osti. “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Review Article.” Asian spine journal vol. 12,2 (2018): 372-379. doi:10.4184/asj.2018.12.2.372
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