10 Modifiable Risk Factors | Help You Avoid Spine Surgery

At Lahore Spine Care, we are proud to be a team of expert Spine physiotherapists that can help you to protect your spine surgery.

Back pain is a widespread disability problem worldwide and in some cases surgery may not be indicated. Studies have found that a number of factors that increase the risk of chronic back pain and spine diseases can be changed by making healthy lifestyle choices, starting physiotherapy early and using appropriate rehabilitation.

Dr. Ejaz Danish PT and his highly trained and experienced team at Lahore Spine Care perform evidence based physiotherapy, manual therapy and exercise prescription to improve spine condition and patients education to avoid unnecessary spine surgery.

Is it possible to prevent spine surgery?

Yes—in many cases Spine Surgery can be prevented.

Most of the patients with:

Conservative treatment can be very helpful when done early on in the treatment of can.

According to international clinical guidelines, the first line treatment for most non-emergency spinal disorders should be physiotherapy and not spine surgery.

Physical Inactivity

Sitting for long periods is one of the major causes of the chronic pain of the spine.

The muscles that support the spine are weakened, become stiffer and start to deteriorate with prolonged sitting.

What You Can Do

1. Walk 30–45 minutes daily
2. 
   Perform stretching exercises
3. 
   Tighten core muscles.
4. 
   Don’t sit for too long.
5. Don’t sit around and do nothing all day.

Lahore Spine Care Tip: All our physiotherapists create personalised exercise regime for each patient.

Poor Posture

With poor posture, the joints, discs, ligaments and muscles of the spine are strained.

Common causes include:

1. Office work
2. 
   Mobile phone use
3. 
   Driving
4. 
   Poor workstation ergonomics

Prevention

Do not allow the body to move out of alignment or out of balance.

1. 
   Use ergonomic chairs
2. 
   Adjust monitor height
3. 
   Pause to sit or stand up every 30-45 minutes.

Weak Core Muscles

Your spine is stabilized by your back and belly muscles.

Sloppy muscles will put more pressure on the discs in the spine, and make them more prone to injury.

Strengthening Exercises (Do only under the supervision of you Physiotherapist)

1. Bridge Exercise
2. Bird Dog
3. 
   Dead Bug
4. 
   Pelvic Tilts
5. 
   Planks

Our rehab programs gradually build up these muscles in a safe manner.

Excess Body Weight

When weight is added, there is increased mechanical stress on the spine.

Research has indicated that obesity increases the risk for:

Healthy Strategies

Smoking

Smoking decreases blood flow to the discs and will decrease tissue healing.

Smoking has been shown to be associated with:

Smoking has a negative effect on your spine and on your health in general.

Improper Lifting Techniques | Avoid Spine Surgery

The most common cause of the harm to the Lumbar Discs is improper lifting.

Lift Safely

✔ Bend your knees

✔ Stay close to the object

✔ Tighten your core

✔ Avoid twisting

Lift with legs, NOT back.

Ignoring Early Sign & Symptoms

Many patients wait for months to seek treatment.

Early symptoms include:

Chronic complications can be avoided by early physiotherapy.

Too much stress & sleep deprivation.

• Stress leads to increased muscle tension and sensitivity to pain.
• Lack of sleep gets in the way of healing.

Improve Recovery

Lack of Flexibility

Tight muscles alter the movement of the spine.

Tight muscles include:

1. Hamstrings
2. 
   Hip flexors
3. 
   Piriformis
4. 
   Calves
5. 
   Thoracic muscles

Stretching regularly increases mobility of the spine and decreases the risk of injury.

Delaying Physiotherapy

People often only take painkillers when things begin to get more difficult.

Early physiotherapy can:

1. Reduce pain naturally
2. 
   Improve mobility
3. 
   Restore strength
4. 
   Correct posture
5. 
   Prevent disability
6. 
   Minimize the risk of having surgery.

The conservative treatment of most mechanical back pains is well indicated.

How Lahore Spine Care Can Help

At Lahore Spiine Care, our team of Physiotherapists who are multi-disciplinary in their approach have each developed a treatment plan based on the latest clinical evidence and specific needs of the patient to prevent Spine Surgery.

Our services include:

Why Dr. Ejaz Danish PT & Team?

• A highly experienced team of Neuro & Spine Physiotherapists.
• Evidence-Based Treatment Protocols

• 
  Individualized Rehabilitation Plans
• 
  Home Physiotherapy Services All Over Lahore.
• 
  Demonstrates advanced manual therapy techniques in a safe, effective, and efficient manner.
• 
  Patient-Centered Care
• 
  Modern Rehabilitation Equipment
• 
  Online & In-Clinic Consultations

When will a Physiotherapist can help you?

If you have any of the following symptoms, please request an evaluation:

• Back pain that lasts for more than 2 weeks.
• 
  Pain in the leg that extends down the leg.
• 
  Neck pain, with numbness.
• 
  Difficulty walking
• 
  Frequent muscle spasms
• 
  Recurrent back injuries
• 
  Reduced flexibility
• 
  Sitting at a desk while maintaining poor posture.
• Sitting at desk in poor position.

The sooner early intervention is done, the better the result; and the surgery may be avoided.

Final Thoughts

A lot of people who experience back pain do not necessarily require spine surgery. By avoiding the modifiable risk factors (inactivity, obesity, poor posture, smoking, stress, delayed treatment), you can avoid back problems and an active, healthy lifestyle.

So if you’re suffering from back pain, sciatica, neck pain or stiffness, the expert team of PT experts Dr. Ejaz Danish at Lahore Spine Care will help you recover safely with the help of evidence-based physiotherapy before resorting to surgery.

Schedule your consultation today – and take the first step to a better, healthier spine.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Can physiotherapy help to prevent spine surgery?

Physiotherapy is an option for many patients who have mechanical back pain, sciatica and degenerative spine conditions, and in some cases, surgery may not be necessary.

When should I make the decision to go ahead with physiotherapy or spine surgery?

A course of conservative treatment is generally recommended (usually 6-12 weeks), unless there are emergency symptoms (such as progressive neurological deficits or bowel/bladder dysfunction).

Which is the most important modifiable risk factor for chronic back pain?

Physical inactivity, poor posture, smoking, obesity and delayed treatment are some of the most significant modifiable factors.

Is weight loss a helpful treatment for back pain and spine surgery?

Yes. To keep your weight in a healthy range, your spine and other joints are not stressed, you are more mobile and likely to avoid chronic back pain and disc deterioration. Physiotherapy along with weight management can greatly enhance symptoms.

Does a herniated or “slipped” disc always require surgery?

No. Most people with a herniated disc recover with conservative treatment, such as physiotherapy, exercise, activity modification and pain management. Surgery is typically considered for only serious neurological symptoms and when non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful.

Which exercises will prevent further injuries to the spine?

Some of the best are core strengthening exercises, stretching, balance training, posture correction and flexibility exercises. A physio will be able to create a tailored plan according to your condition and fitness.

When is back pain an emergency?

If the legs are very weak, you are unable to control your bladder or bowels, you have numbness around your groin (saddle anesthesia), a fever with back pain or pain after large trauma, seek medical attention right away. Such symptoms should be promptly evaluated.

What are the best places for back pain treatment and spine rehab in Lahore?

As part of comprehensive spine assessment, manual therapy, rehabilitative exercises, home physiotherapy and advanced pain management, Lahore Spine Care has Dr. Ejaz Danish PT, with his team of experienced physiotherapists. The goal of early treatment is to alleviate pain, restore function and decrease the risk of back surgery.