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Can I Start Running Again After Back or Neck Surgery?

If you love to run but have been sidelined by back pain, you’re probably wondering if you’ll be able to run again after surgery. The short answer is probably—but don’t rush it.

Whether running is appropriate for you and how soon after surgery will depend on what kind of surgery you have and how your recovery is progressing. The final advice should always come from your doctor, but here are some general guidelines.

Recovery time will generally take longer with a spinal fusion procedure than with disc...

What is SI Joint Dysfunction, and Is Fusion Surgery the Answer?

If you have pain and instability in your lower back, especially when you get up from a chair, when you’ve been standing a long time, or when you’re climbing stairs, you may have a problem with the sacroiliac (SI) joint.

We have SI joints on both the left and right sides; they join the ilium—which is the big bone in the hip—with the sacrum, a triangle-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine. Pain from an SI joint can sometimes spread to the upper back, buttocks, or thighs.

There are a number of reasons you could have pain in an SI joint, including:

Trauma from a...

Six things to know about recovering from spinal surgery

If you’ve been told that you need to have spinal surgery, you may be feeling a little apprehensive. You’ve probably heard that the recovery can be long and painful. And it’s true that it can be, depending on the surgery you’re having.

The best way to face any fear, though, is to be prepared. Here are some tips to get you through.

1. Be willing to accept help from others. Depending on the surgery you’ve had, you may not be able to drive for two to four weeks after surgery. It could be four to six weeks before you’re able to do even light housework and anywhere...