How to Recover From Lumbar Fusion

Lumbar fusion surgery is a type of spinal surgery performed to relieve the pain caused by crushed spinal nerves, herniated or degenerative disks. Back surgery can be stressful to the mind and body. Pain after surgery is what most patients complain about. The process of recovery and healing can take months. This article will show you how to speed up your recovery and minimize the pain associated with lumbar fusion surgery.

Instructions

• 1

  Prevent blood circulation problems by walking and doing leg exercises. Use pneumatic compression boots that automatically deflate and inflate to help pump blood from your legs and feet back to your heart. It is important that you maintain good blood circulation after your lumbar fusion. Avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time. Remember, you want blood to circulate effectively.

• 2

  Consume foods rich in glutamine. This amino acid will help boost your immune system to prevent infections and help you recover faster. Foods rich in glutamine include nuts, soybeans, milk, cheese and legumes.

• 3

  Speed up tissue repair and growth after surgery by taking Arginine supplements. Arginine, an a-amino acid, is known to reduce inflammation and accelerate tissue repair. You can find Arginine supplements at your local health food or drug store.

• 4

  Apply ice and heat packs alternately during the first few days after surgery. Ice packs will decrease blood flow in the surgical area in order to control any pain or muscle spasm. Heat packs will increase blood flow allowing more oxygen to permeate the area, as well as help remove chemicals that cause pain.

• 5

  Perform relaxation exercises such as yoga breathing. These exercises will help you relax and increase the oxygen to all the cells in your body enabling a faster recovery. You can watch examples of yoga breathing techniques on Youtube.com. See Resources below for links.