Why Does my Spine Still Hurt After my Surgery?

Following any spine surgery, the posture and movement of your spine may become altered. Good, upright posture allows our bodies to distribute weight to the appropriate joints, muscles and ligaments in order to remain stable, move properly and save energy (less muscle force to stay upright/move). When our posture deviates away from balance, the pressure on these tissues can become altered in a way that leaves them vulnerable to injury/irritation, causes pain, increases the rate of wear and tear arthritis, and causes muscles to become sore.

Spine surgery is typically performed to take pressure off a nerve or to stabilize an unstable spine. Though effective at reducing pressure on a nerve, spine surgeries usually do not reduce pressure off the surrounding structures, and can actually increase pressure to these structures.

Tissues/structures that may have increased pressure post spine surgery include but are not limited to:

• Muscles
• Ligaments
• Joints
• Discs

If any of these tissues/structures are under increased tension/pressure, you can experience pain, decreased range of motion, and/or muscle spasms in various parts of your body, as well as potential numbness/tingling/pain down an arm or leg.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe After Surgery?

Yes, chiropractic is safe after you have healed from your surgery, as long as the right approach is applied for the right reason(s). The right approach is strongly influenced by the type of surgery, current symptoms and the overall condition of the rest of your spine.

Our doctors have advanced training in post-surgical spinal biomechanical analysis, and use specific, gentle chiropractic techniques to improve spinal mobility and posture, when possible, thus reducing tension on tissues throughout the spine, including the surgical region. Reducing tension to the involved and surrounding tissues can help improve long term outcomes and prevent future injuries.

How is Post Surgical Care Determined?

At CSMC, your first visit will start with a consultation and physical exam in order to determine which tissue/structure is causing your pain, how severe the condition is, what is causing the problem, and any contributing factors that may increase your symptoms.

This involves discussing your symptoms, when they are at their worst, the impact it is having on your life and putting together a set of treatment goals you would like to accomplish (examples: picking up kids or sleeping without pain). It is important to bring any previous medical notes or images for the doctor to review and take into consideration for your case.

Next, a physical exam will be performed, physical exams typically consist of:

• Neurological Evaluation
• Orthopedic Testing
• Postural Assessment
• Chiropractic Evaluation
• Functional Assessment
• Range of Motion Measurements
• Referral to Imaging/Advanced Diagnostic Testing (When Necessary)
• Radiographic Biomechanical Analysis (When Necessary)

These tests may aggravate your symptoms, so let your doctor know what you are feeling.

For imaging and additional testing, CSMC coordinates referrals to specialty radiologists as needed.

Based on the information gathered from the exam and testing, our doctors will create a customized care plan to safely address any problems discovered.

What Treatments are Available?

CSMC takes a customized, comprehensive approach to care for all types of musculoskeletal pain. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments to address your arthritis pain:

• Various Chiropractic Adjustment Techniques
  • Based on Preference/Condition
• Flexion/Distraction
• Decompression Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Ergonomic Training
• Supplement Options
• Massage Therapy
• Postural Correction
• Topical Analgesics
• Dietary/Lifestyle Recommendations

These therapies may be recommended individually or together to relieve your pain, improve your range of motion, strengthen your neck, improve posture and/or stabilize your condition depending on your needs.

For more severe/complicated cases, our doctors may decide to co-manage with another specialist to get a second opinion or additional treatments, such as medications, injections or surgery (last resort). In these cases, our doctors will communicate with all specialists involved to ensure all your doctors are on the same page, while providing therapies to help speed up your recovery process when appropriate.

You can find the help you need at CSMC. Book your appointment today.