We treasure our summers here in Minnesota. They make the harsh winters worth living through. When a back injury or subsequent surgery sidelines you, it can be incredibly frustrating to not be able to be outside participating in normal activities. In this article we are going to offer some tips and advice for getting back outdoors and enjoying the summer weather after having spine surgery.

If you have back pain, get it treated

First thing’s first, if you are experiencing chronic back pain or have sustained a spinal injury, don’t just live through your pain. Toughing it out will just make you miserable. Make an appointment with your doctor and get checked out. There are many potential options (both conservative and surgical) that could help relieve your pain.

Get out in the sun

As we’ve discussed before, it’s good to get up and walk around after your spine surgery. Staying on the couch all day will actually delay your healing process, so get outside and go for a walk. Your spine will thank you for it, and the sunlight will improve your mood.

Ease back into activities

While it’s great to get out and get moving, be sure that you recognize your physical limitations and don’t overdo it. Going waterskiing, for example, would not be a good idea right after a minimally invasive spine procedure. Extreme activities can also exacerbate an existing condition and injure your back or spine, requiring treatment or surgery.

Back pain should not keep you on the couch all summer long or prevent you from doing the summer activities that you love. If you’re in back pain, seek medical help. If you’re recovering from an injury or operation, don’t be afraid to get outside and soak up the rays.

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