SpineCurve

Ever since I had back surgery I seem to be more sensitive to cold weather, especially wet cold weather. My back muscles ache more and they are more easily strained during such weather. In general I feel colder and it takes longer for me to get warm.

Helpful Hints- a list of things to do before having back surgery

This this list is my no means an exhaustive one. Please feel free to comment on what worked for you and by our collective input, provide a comprehensive idea of what to expect going into surgery.

1. Get a haircut-sitting and laying back into the bowl while they wash/wet your hair hurts, even several months afterward 

2. Get help with food and chores-see if a family member or friend can stay with you for a couple of weeks to help keep you company, prepare food, and do household chores (members of my church took turns bring over dinner for the first 3 weeks which was very helpful)

3. Arrange dishes and food in a convenient place (no bending or squatting)

4. Get entertainment- something light in subject like magazines, short stories books and funny movies.

5. Have someone take you home from the hospital with a larger, higher car- trying to get down into a low car is painful and can take a long time to just get in the car.

6. Get slip on shoes and comfortable clothes- this makes it easy to get dressed when you do get up and walk, but most time is spent laying down

7. Get inspirational, relaxing music- anything that helps you feel good, helps you relax will be helpful.

8. Have the phone number to call the hospital/doctor on call when you get home in case you need something. I had to call in the middle of the night the first 2 nights I was home to get my medication dosage higher to help with the pain.

9. Get a really nice mattress or new bed-if you can. I know someone who bought an adjustable bed prior to back surgery and it made all the difference. I didn't get a good mattress until 2 years later and noticed a big difference in how my back felt.

10. Have a cup to rinse and spit when brushing your teeth (since you won't be able to bend over the sink).

11.Depending on side effects of the painkillers, you may need to get laxatives or suppositories as the medication has a very drying effect on the body and can cause constipation.

12. Get a good lotion or vitamin E oil for the scar.

Scoliosis Support Group Meeting in December

I highly recommend the group if you can attend. Dr. Steven Stanos , a physiatrist from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago will be the featured speaker.

When: Monday, December 14th

Time: 6-7PM

Where: Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Pritzker Pavilion, 3rd floor

675 N St Clair, Chicago, IL 60611

For more information you may contact Kristin Smith, APN at 312-695-8143 or Ksmith1@nmff.org

For more information about the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago click here.

Integrative Medicine

Last night I attended the Scoliosis Support Group Meeting at Northwestern where Dr Melinda Ring spoke about the categories of integrative medicine and the role it can play in health and recovery. Integrative medicine by definition is a holistic, “whole-person” approach to health care that integrates complementary therapies with conventional medical care.  Integrative medicine focus on treating not only the body, but also the mind and spirit, drawing on a wide range of different healing modalities to maximize each person’s ability to return to full health.

For  more information about the different types of treatments and about the Center for Integrative Medicine, click here.

I have used nutritional supplements and diet, massage, chiropractic, pilates, yoga, reiki, prayer and meditation, guided imagery, energy work, and recently muscle activation technique (MAT).

Massage therapy is the one I use most frequently and have found I need at least 1 per month. Muscle Activation Technique is something new that I tried this year and I had great results. Chiropractic I found works well when I am having stiffness in my neck where my fusion starts. Reiki I used only after my surgery when I was able to have massages and incorporated it into my massage sessions. I felt it helped my healing emotionally and physically at them time. Nutrition, supplements, prayer and meditation I still use for my everyday life and not exclusively for managing back pain and health.

Please post any success or difficulty you have had with integrative medicine or alternative medicine in dealing with your back pain. Thanks!

Back picture - 5 years post surgery

Here is a picture of back 5 years after having a spinal fusion. As you can see, the scar is hardly visible. Even though my back looks straight, my right shoulder blade still sticks out a little bit.