Surgery can be a welcomed relief for patients who have struggled to treat their neck or back pain with conservative treatments, but odds are you’re not going to be able to get in the operating room within a few days of being told you need surgery. Many patients schedule their surgeries weeks or months in advance, meaning they still need to deal with pain and discomfort for some time until their operation. In today’s blog, we look at some ways you can manage back and neck pain while you’re waiting for your surgery date to arrive.
Back Pain Prevention As You Prepare For Surgery
As is the case with a number of our advice blogs, it’s important to remember that these are general tips that the average patient may find helpful. For the best ways to prevent back pain as you prepare for neck or back surgery, talk with your treating physician or surgical team. Here are some ways you might find relief when looking to prevent back or neck pain as you await your operation.
- Smart Movements – You really want to be smart about your movements and your physical activity in the days and weeks leading up to surgery. We’ve already written about the benefits of pre-hab and how physical activity can help strengthen areas of your body that you’ll need after surgery, but at the same time, don’t overdo it and make your back injury worse. Don’t be doing a lot of repetitive motions or heavy lifting, but try to stay active in ways that doesn’t lead to a pain flare up. Walking and swimming are great low-impact exercises to consider if your back or neck will allow it.
- Posture Awareness – Odds are your posture contributed in part to your spine issue or the pain you’re now experiencing, so you really need to take stock of your posture throughout the day and make corrections if you’re hunched or slouching. Poor posture can make disc issues and nerve problems much worse, so if you’re struggling with back or neck pain as you wait for surgery, try to straighten up and have good posture. It’s a good routine to get in the habit of, because you’ll also want good posture after surgery to take stress off your recovering body.
- Painkiller Routine – Talk to your spine specialist about a medication regimen if you’re in daily pain while you wait for surgery. Some medications will need to be stopped days or weeks before surgery, and others could have implications for your anesthesia, so be open and honest about your medication usage and see if there are options that are better than others given your personal situation.
- Stretch – Stretching is a great way to reduce pain and discomfort in your neck or spine. Sometimes your back or neck is just stiff because of how pressure is dispersed in the injured area, so stretching and activating different soft tissues can help relieve muscle tension. These stretches can also help to improve your range of motion, which can be helpful for your recovery after surgery.
And finally, if you’re still dealing with discomfort as you await surgery, know that your doctor’s door is always open. Reach out, ask questions and get answers about your pain. We want to make this experience as pleasant as possible, so don’t be afraid to give us a call at any point in the process. For more information, or to talk to a doctor about your back pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
