Can I Have Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery?
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: I was recently talking to a patient, when they mentioned that they wished their brother could go to a chiropractor for his back pain. I found out that her brother had back surgery 5 years ago, and assumed that he could never get adjusted by a chiropractor again.
This, unfortunately, is a common misunderstanding of patients. People think that if they have ever had neck or back surgery, that they can not go to a doctor of chiropractic and get a spinal adjustment again.
The main thing to understand is it will depend on where and what type of spinal surgery you had to determine when and how can get adjusted again.
After practicing in the greater Houston area for 34 years, we have developed a great working relationship with several spinal surgeons. For a typical discectomy most surgeons will suggest that we wait 4-6 weeks before beginning chiropractic care. A spinal fusion will typically require waiting 4-9 months before receiving a chiropractic manipulation. If a patient received a spinal fusion cage or scoliosis rods, we do not adjust that specific area, but we can adjust the surrounding areas.
A recent study noted that 10% of patients receiving regular chiropractic treatment had at least one prior spinal surgery in the past. Patients With a History of Spine Surgery Receiving Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation in US Academic Health Centers: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study – PMC (nih.gov) As spine specialist, doctors of chiropractic are uniquely qualified to help with post-surgical rehabilitation and to help minimize a reoccurrence.
Chiropractic care after back surgery will help increase spinal motion, minimize joint adhesions, and help reduce any associated joint pain.
Just because you had neck or back surgery in the past, it does not mean that you cannot experience the pleasure of health by receiving chiropractic care now.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
