Back pain and injuries are widespread, and the right treatment depends on a great many factors. Spine surgery should be a last resort after more conservative therapies in most cases. However, prevention is always the best cure. Here are a few common issues that lead to people having spine surgeries – and they’re mostly preventable.
Your Posture
There’s more to your posture or the way you hold your body as you stand, sit, or lie down than how it looks. Standing up straight may make you appear taller and slimmer, but the best reasons to pay attention to your posture have nothing to do with your image. There’s a clear relationship between good posture and spinal health. Poor posture can have adverse long-term effects on your spine, making it much more likely that you’ll need surgery in the future. Whether you spend your days on your feet or in a chair, it’s essential to adopt good posture habits and avoid back or neck pain. Remember to move around regularly, to use ergonomic furniture when possible, to remain aware of your posture throughout the day, and to address any pain promptly by resting and if the discomfort doesn’t go away within a few days of rest, getting medical attention.
How You Sleep
Your posture doesn’t only matter when you’re on the go. While you sleep, the muscles and ligaments in your back rest and heal. Good posture at night is vital to protect your back. The right mattress is one of the most critical things that you need to maintain good back health. Everyone is different, though; the right mattress for you is the one that allows you to wake up feeling rested and pain-free.
Similarly, you need a good pillow that provides natural head and neck support. You can sleep in a variety of positions, but try to keep your hips, shoulders, and ears aligned. You can use pillows to achieve better alignment, such as placing a pillow under your stomach and pelvis and using a flat pillow if you like to sleep face down.
Car Accidents
While you may sustain almost any type of injury during a motor vehicle accident, the most severe ones often relate to the spine. Spinal injuries are also some of the most common injuries in serious car accidents. Some different types include:
- Whiplash. Most people tend to think that whiplash is a neck injury, which is true, but it also affects the spine. Some whiplash victims experience multiple spinal injuries, which can complicate the injuries they sustain. Whiplash can also become chronic, leading to a lifetime of physical and emotional distress.
- Ruptured and herniated disc injuries. Your spine comprises several vertebrae, which protect your spinal column. The jelly-filled discs in-between keep these vertebrae from rubbing together. The trauma of a car accident can cause the discs to rupture or shift. Sometimes, conservative treatments can correct the problem, but surgery is indicated in more severe cases.
- Facet joint injuries. Your joints allow you to twist, bend, and move in various ways. Facet joints, found in the spine, function as hinges between the vertebrae. Unfortunately, these joints are easily injured in auto accidents. People with these injuries may need a range of treatments, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, facet injections, or spine surgery.
If you are experiencing back or neck pain, or have any questions about spine conditions that may lead to the need for surgery, feel free to contact us for a consultation.
