Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Whether you want to get back on the field in time for your senior season or you just want to be able to bend over without pain while playing with the grandchildren, we understand that you have some personal goals for yourself following a spinal procedure. However, achieving these goals won’t just happen by accident. So how can you work to keep your rehabilitation on track to hit all your recovery goals after a spinal procedure? We share some tips for hitting your recovery goals after spine surgery in today’s blog.

Achieving Your Recovery Goals After Spine Surgery

We want you to hit all of your recovery goals after a back procedure, but it’s going to take a concentrated effort to do so. Here are some little ways you can keep your progress on track so that you can keep working towards your goals.

1. Develop Short- and Long-Term Goals – It’s easier to hit your long-term goals if you are consistently achieving your short-term goals along the way, so don’t just look at the long term. Your short-term goals should help you work towards your long-term goals, so setting both types of goals can keep everything on track. Set daily, weekly or monthly goals, and talk with your spine specialist or your physical therapist if you are finding it hard to achieve any of these goals.
2. Write Them Down– Physically putting pen to paper can help you visualize and work towards your recovery goals. Don’t just write them down in a notebook that you’ll never open up again, either. Write your goals down and leave them in a place you’ll see every day to remind yourself what you’re working towards. Regularly seeing the goals you’ve set for yourself will make it easier to hold yourself accountable during your rehab.
3. Lean On Professionals– It’s much easier to hit your recovery goals if you let a professional assist with the process. Your spine specialist can help develop a recovery plan tailored to your specific goals, or you can connect with a professional physical therapist who can ensure you are performing your rehab exercises correctly so that you can get the most benefit from them. You have professional resources who can help you achieve your rehab goals, lean on them throughout the recovery process.
4. Celebrate Your Progress – Make it a point to celebrate the successes you’ve seen so far during your recovery. We understand that you have long-term goals in your sights, but know that you won’t achieve these overnight, and it will be easier to stay motivated to hit these goals if you celebrate the progress you’ve made along the way. Try to appreciate the hard work you’ve put in so far and acknowledge the progress you’ve made so that you continue to follow through with your rehab programs.
5. Be Realistic– Finally, make sure that the goals you set for yourself are reasonable and attainable. We want you to set lofty recovery goals, but if your goals aren’t realistic, you may get frustrated with the process, and that can make recovery even more challenging. Again, lean on your surgeon, your care team or your physical therapy staff to help you create challenging but attainable goals for yourself.

Let us help you check off all your goals on your recovery journey. Whether you’re trying to overcome a minor back issue or a major spinal problem, we’re confident that we can help you make a strong recovery and get you back to doing all the activities you love. For more information, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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