Neurosurgery is a powerful tool for addressing serious mechanical and structural issues in the spinal column. Once Dr Harding has corrected the problems facing your discs, nerves and joints, it is time to focus on your recovery and rehab.
A big part of this process revolves around your sitting posture. Whilst it might seem like a minor concern, it has the potential to accelerate or hinder your post-operative progress.
You may have seen our previous post explaining the benefits of optimal posture, along with the harm that prolonged, sustained and uninterrupted poor posture can have. These negative effects are magnified in the first 6 weeks following your surgery. It is during this period that the soft tissue that were cut during surgery are actively healing. The muscles, ligaments, fascia etc are getting stronger every day, but they are vulnerable to excessive or sustained loading.
So how can you use optimal posture to positively influence your recovery? A great way to think of this is to imagine you have a deep cut on the back of your thumb.
If you had a big cut on the back of your thumb, you would likely bandage it up well, just like your surgical incision is. You would also know that it would be a good idea to not bend it too much or too far, or else the wound would likely re-open…and it would hurt!
This is exactly what can happen if you sit slouched following your spinal procedure.
The good news is the reverse is also true. If you sit in optimal posture, with your back well supported and your spinal curves in place, you will effectively ‘push’ the cut edges of your incision closer together. This reduces the strain on the healing tissues and helps facilitate recovery. It is like keeping your thumb straight as the cut heals.
So, while you may well feel ‘fixed’ after your operation, using optimal sitting posture is a great way to help ensure you make the fastest and most complete recovery.