Want to speed up back injury recovery? There are a few ways you may be able to help yourself with that.
Whether you are recovering from surgery or attempting to heal from a back injury in nonsurgical ways, there are a variety of ways you can help your body naturally heal. Many of these suggestions are general ways to stay healthy, but they become even more important when your body is in need of physical healing. Check out this list and begin implementing these habits to help yourself feel better, faster.
- Get Adequate Rest.
Sleep can be one of the most important parts of healing. Your body needs extra rest when recovering, as it is working very hard to restore itself back to normal. Avoid excessive caffeine and keep your body moving throughout the day when possible to ensure a restful night’s sleep. - Drink Plenty of Water.
Hydration helps the body function properly and can help wounds heal faster by bringing essential fluids through the body. Keeping a water bottle handy and making it a priority every couple of hours is helpful. - Eat Lots of Vegetables, Fruits, and Food With Vitamins.
A balanced diet is more important than ever, as nutrition is a foundational part of soft tissue healing. Include plenty of green vegetables and foods filled with healthy proteins, grains, and vitamins. - Stop Smoking.
As you probably know, smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your body no matter what’s going on, but it’s especially bad as one attempts to recover from injury. Smoking actually keeps the spine from receiving nutrients, like oxygen, which is vital for proper healing. The absence of essential nutrients can prevent the natural healing process from taking place. - Get the Exercise You Can.
When healing from injury or surgery, getting exercise can be understandably difficult, but it doesn’t need to be as strenuous as some imagine. Basic, consistent physical therapy, short walking distances, yoga, and stretching can all be part of your daily exercise routines. Consult your doctor about what is best for you, but as we discussed in a recent Facebook Live interview with Dr. Joseph Ihm, exercise is medicine.
Search through our Spine-Talks platform for talks and conversations that may be helpful to you on this topic as well.
