SOMA Living December 2025

FROM THE DOCTOR

CHIROPRACTIC CARE AFTER BACK SURGERY?

If you’ve recently had back surgery or you’re discussing your options to do so with a surgeon, know that you are in good company. Close to 500,000 Americans have surgery for low back pain alone each year. According to the Mayo clinic, back surgery is rarely necessary and should be considered only when other options have been explored. Generally, there are four types of back surgery performed: 1. Discectomy, 2. Laminectomy, 3. Spinal Fusion and 4. Artificial Lumbar Disc surgery. While surgery is often the last resort when less invasive treatments don’t relieve pain, surgery on its own doesn’t immediately relieve the pain either. That’s why it’s recommended that other treatments be used along with surgery to relieve your pain and help to improve your quality of life. But is it safe? When is it safe? Before talking about when it might be safe to see a chiropractor after surgery, it’s important to know that every patient and every procedure is different. The more extensive the procedure, the more vital it is to give your body time to heal before you begin any kind of chiropractic care. However, a good rule of thumb is to discuss with your surgeon the type of care suggested by the Chiropractor or have the doctors talk to each other which is what our office does. It is important to know what procedures or adjustments your Doctor of Chiropractic wants to perform. Post surgically we would typically use a computerized, comfortable and consistent instrument style adjustment which is gentle and effective. This instrumentation can also be used to relax and stimulate the nerves and muscles above and below the procedure. Other forms of care that can be administered prior to a considered back surgery which has proven successful in many cases are: Spinal decompression therapy; flexion distraction manual therapy; radial pulsed shock wave therapy; cold laser therapy and physical therapy in conjunction with a specific chiropractic adjustment. If you’re on the road to recovery from back surgery or considering back surgery and you would like to explore how chiropractic services can help you get back on your feet quicker, the experts at South Orange Chiropractic Center are ready to help. Contact one of us today to discuss how we can help you feel better quickly.

Meet the Natural Pain Relievers at South Orange Chiropractic Center Moving people from pain to wellness. Dr. Stephen Levine • Dr. Mark Roczey • Dr. Michael Chapman 60 First Street, South Orange, NJ 07079 973-761-0022 Go to SouthOrangeChiropractic.com to download our FREE E-book on Health and Wellness

Stephen Levine D.C. South Orange Chiropractic Center SouthOrangeChiropractic.com Phone: 973.761.0022

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