How to Run After a Lumbar Fusion

Running is a high-impact activity that is associated with many injuries. If you are recovering from a lumbar fusion, which joins two or more spinal bones--or vertebrae--to treat a number of spine conditions, you will need to consult your health care provider before starting a running routine. Given your doctor's consent, there are steps you can follow to transition smoothly from lumbar fusion recovery to a healthy and regular running regimen.

Instructions

Instructions

1

Before beginning an underwater jogging session, warm up with stretching exercises that are gentle on your back. This will aid in increasing the blood flow to your muscles and prepare your body for exercise. It will also help in decreasing muscle stiffness and risk for injury.

2

Get in the water at waist-deep level. Start jogging under water in a slow manner for as long as you can. The water's buoyancy will enable you to use all the same muscles as running but without the heavy impact on your body. Do this for 30 minutes or for as long as you can. Stop if you feel any pain or discomfort. Do this until you feel strong enough to run on the treadmill, roughly three to six months.

3

Stretch and cool down after underwater jogging.

4

Start jogging or running on a treadmill after months of doing it under water. You should avoid running on hard surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt, because this will only increase the stress on your back. You can later return to running on hard surfaces when your body is conditioned enough to take the added impact.

5

Run on a treadmill with the correct running posture to avoid putting harmful strain on your body. If you feel any sharp pain, you should stop and consult your physician. You should carefully increase the intensity level of your runs in a slow manner to avoid overexertion, which can worsen your condition. Take breaks by slowing down and walk to pace yourself.

6

Stretch and cool down after each workout. Stretching will help to relax and balance the tension in your muscles. It will also aid in reducing feelings of soreness. Focus on doing exercises to increase the flexibility of your spine and legs.

7

Continue running on the treadmill until your body is strong enough to handle the stress and impact of running longer distances and on harder surfaces. Typically, this takes up to six months or more.