If you’ve had back surgery, it’s important to understand how to go about your recovery. Your doctor can guide you on how to do this. The main things you need to know are: the physiological characteristics of the low back, how to perform exercises and guidelines for daily living. Physiological characteristics of the low back A healthy spine has three physiological curves that maintain the balance and physiological posture of the spine. How to maintain the balance of the back in different positions? In general, sit and stand with your ears, shoulders and hips in a horizontal line; do not tuck your shoulders or hunch your back; and learn how to bend safely. Key points of recovery in the hospital: After surgery, you will spend several days in the hospital, during which time the main recovery measures revolve around pain control. Twenty-four hours after surgery, you will be able to move your feet. The nurses and rehabilitation therapists will teach you how to safely support your body, turn or roll over, and how to get up. Pain control: It is normal to have pain after surgery. You can take pain medication or use ice packs to reduce pain and edema. You can also use a pain pump, which allows you to control the volume of pain medication that is given intravenously as prescribed by your doctor, before the pain becomes severe. You can also use a pain index to rate the level of pain. If the pain is not controlled, call the nurse for help. Support your spine: The abdominal muscles support the spine. Tensing the abdominal muscles will support the spine and prevent pain and re-injury. To do this: First, place your hands on your lower abdomen and gradually puff up your upper abdomen and tense your abdominal muscles. Breathe normally but do not relax your abdomen. Second, you can use a lumbar support to protect your spine. Learn to turn over safely: twisting or bending the spine after surgery can cause pain and re-injury. To be safe, you can imagine yourself as a log from the shoulders and hips and do “roller-like” exercises: first, tense your abdominal muscles to support your spine and bend your knees lightly. Second, the body is turned to the side, keeping both ears, shoulders and hips in a horizontal line.