“Is physical therapy after spine surgery painful?”

Physical therapy after spine surgery can sometimes involve discomfort, especially in the early stages of recovery, but it is generally not meant to be overly painful. The goal of physical therapy is to help you regain strength, mobility, and function while minimizing pain. You might feel some soreness or stiffness as your body adjusts to movement and exercises, but your physical therapist will work with you to ensure the exercises are safe and manageable.

For example, you may start with gentle stretches or light movements to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. Over time, as your body heals, the intensity of the exercises may increase, but they should always be tailored to your comfort level. If you experience sharp or severe pain during therapy, it’s important to let your therapist know so they can adjust your program accordingly.

Remember, physical therapy is a key part of recovery, and the benefits often outweigh the temporary discomfort.

It can be initially but should lessen over time.

Recovery following spinal surgery might be painful for the first 2-3 weeks due to the wound healing and tenderness of the spine. Rehab/Therapy as such is not painful following spinal surgery or any other surgery. Once the 'inflammatory phase' after surgery is over, the pain comes down drastically aiding you to participate in rehab better thus improving your functional outcomes. Thank you.

Physical Therapy is very important after spine surgery. Depending on the type of surgery, your surgeon will determine when to initiate Therapy. Typically, there is no pain associated with therapy.