Spine surgery is a big undertaking for your body, even if the operation is performed on a minimally invasive basis. And while the goal of the operation is to reduce pain and improve function in the area, these goals don’t just happen by chance. If you want to have the best recovery after spine surgery, you can’t just focus on your physical health. In today’s blog, we explain how to have the best recovery after back surgery by taking care of your mind, body and soul.
Caring For All Aspects Of Your Health After Spine Surgery
Here’s a look at how caring for different aspects of your health can help you achieve the best recovery possible after a spinal procedure.
- Body – Let’s start with caring for your body, because it’s often the easiest area to focus on after a surgical procedure. You need to care for your body and your surgical site by listening to your surgeon’s instructions in the days and weeks after your operation. Keep the wound site clean and change your dressing as appropriate, but also make sure you’re staying within the physical guidelines set forth by your physician. If you try to do too much or return to work before you’ve been given clearance, you can delay healing or even cause the surgical operation to fail. Follow your surgeon’s recommendations in regards to activity limitations, and also follow through on any and all physical therapy recommendations, as these will help to drive home the healing process.
- Mind – People often underestimate the role their mental health plays in recovering from a physical injury. Having a positive mindset makes us more likely to follow our activity restrictions and partake in physical therapy, but it also affects other areas of our rehab. A good mindset helps us get out of bed in the morning and make healthy food choices, both of which help with the healing process. Staying sedentary or gaining weight during recovery can slow down the healing process, so make sure you’re taking time each day for your mental health. You may be limited physically for a little time while you recover, but you shouldn’t be limited mentally. Challenge yourself with a puzzle, crossword or a new book. It’s okay to partake in some passive mental activities like television watching, but also put your brain to work, because it will also have benefits for your physical health.
- Soul – Finally, people tend to have better mental and physical health if they find ways to engage their soul while they are recovering. Don’t view your recovery as time away from certain activities, view it as an opportunity to challenge yourself in new ways. Develop a new hobby, start a new book series or try cooking some new healthy recipes. Finding a new passion can put you in a better mental mindset, which as we’ve talked about above, can have real-world benefits for your physical health. Strive to find one new hobby or passion while you’re recovering, because it may just help with your physical recovery.
If you can do all three of the above, we’re confident you’ll have a great recovery after spine surgery. And for help with any above aspect, or to talk with a specialist about your spine pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and his talented team today.
