This article explains what to expect from rehab after low back surgery.
It lists 14 exercises your physical therapist may have you do, along with how to do them.
One great exercise to help improve your low-back strength is the straight leg raise (SLR) exercise.
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It also helps to improve your ability to bend back into lumbar extension.
This can help free the adhered nerve root and allow for normal motion to occur.
Aim to ride for 20 to 30 minutes per session at a moderately-intense pace.
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Hamstring Stretch
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Having tight hamstrings increases the risk of low back pain.
But, research shows that hamstring stretches can reduce pre-existing low back pain and help prevent it from developing.
It can also be used to gently stretch thescar tissuein your low-back from the surgical incision.
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This helps to bring in oxygen and nutrients to your spinal muscles and tissues as they heal.
This helps to protect your discs against future problems.
Physical therapists will help you begin to walk safely while you’re still in the hospital.
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This will probably happen the first day after surgery.
Postural Correction
After back surgery, you must work to maintainproper posturewhen you are sitting and standing.
Theslouch-overcorrect procedurecan also help you maintain proper posture for your low back.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.Minimally invasive lumbar discectomy.
The Ohio State University.Lumbar laminectomy post-operative rehabilitation guidelines.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Effects of posterior-anterior vertebral mobilization followed by prone press-up exercise in nonspecific low back pain.
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2019 Dec;26(4):20-28. doi:10.12674/ptk.2019.26.4.020
Penn Medicine.Sciatica.
Chan School of Public Health.Walking for exercise.
2019 May;16(1):E66.
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How do they relate?
A replicated single-case design in 12 people with persistent, disabling low back pain.Eur J Pain.
2023 Oct;15(10):e47389.
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