After Neck Surgery

***** Please note that the content on this website is not medical advice, but rather for educational purposes. Always get tailored medical advice from your medical professional.

Undergoing neck surgery can be a challenging journey, but with the right approach to recovery, you can maximize your results and gain function safely and effectively.

Follow the instructions your medical professional provides you.

Guidelines that you are provided are designed to help you reach your optimal outcomes. These guidelines usually include limiting the amount you move and how much stress you put through the surgical area. These instructions have Most likely been given to you because the medical community has learned that people who have not follow these instructions have regretted doing so and had unnecessary, avoidable outcomes.

Hot & Cold

Ask your medical professional if you can a hot compress or an ice pack to help ease your discomfort. These guidelines will be specific to you depending on your condition and how far you are from the surgery date. Generally speaking, you should avoid using heat and areas that have swelling. During the early stages after your surgery, you are very likely to have swelling in that area. Using a hot pack can increase the swelling in that area. An ice pack can assist with pushing out the swelling and easing discomfort.

Sleep Supported.

Sleeping is crucial for healing. After surgery, your medical professional may recommend you to sleep on your back with a pillow under your head. To avoid excessive forward head bending and to provide effective support for your neck, make sure your pillow stops just above your shoulders. You may have to follow the actions of Goldilocks and try a few different pillows to find just the right one. May even consider sleeping on an inclined wedge or recliner to assist in reducing pressure and swelling.

Breathe Deeply & Move Often

Often times when we are in pain, we will start to take shallow breaths and avoid movement. While staying as still as possible might seem like a reasonable way to handle the pain and weakness that comes after surgery, you may be creating new issues for your body. Take a minute each hour to pause to take some deep breaths into your belly while telling yourself to relax your neck and shoulders. If this feels uncomfortable to do while sitting up, try to do it while reclined back or laying down. While following your medical professionals guidelines, allow yourself to as much as you are allowed to move the surgical area and move any other areas your body that you are allowed to move. For example, you might be able to do a small, gentle nod and able to do a few figure eights with your hips in standing.

Avoid Slouching.

Avoid your head from sitting in front of your shoulders. In this position, the muscles of our neck have to work harder to lift our head, and if you do this for prolonged periods, your neck will want to disown you. If you are sitting, try to find head support or, at a minimum, back support. If you are standing, lift your chest up sligtly and engage your core muscles for support. Use your posture to your advantage.