Exercises following spinal surgery

You should start completing basic exercises straight away after your spinal surgery, even if this causes some mild discomfort.

Common exercises are shown below. Your physiotherapist:

  • will tell you which exercises are most appropriate for you
  • may recommend different exercises more suitable to your individual circumstances
  • will check you are doing your exercises correctly before you leave the hospital.

In most cases, completing your exercises two to three times a day is recommended. You should continue your exercises for at least eight weeks after your surgery.

Once you are discharged from hospital, a physiotherapist will be able to progress your exercise program which will assist you to return to your normal activities and achieve your goals.

Exercises following lower back surgery

Line drawing of a person laying with feet on the floor and knees bent and pelvis and lower back lifted off the floor. 
  1. Lay on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor.
  2. Lift your pelvis and lower back (gradually vertebra by vertebra) off the bed. Hold the position for 5 seconds.
  3. Lower down slowly returning to the starting position.
  4. Repeat 5 – 10 times.
Line drawing of a person laying on their back with their knees lifted towards their chest.
  1. Lay on your back with your knees bent and feet on the bed.
  2. Lift your knees towards your chest. It is sometimes easier, at least initially, to do one leg at a time.
  3. Repeat 5-10 times

Line drawing of a person laying on their back with their feet on the floor and with knees bent and rolled to the side
  1. Lay on your back with knees together and bent, with your feet on the bed.
  2. Slowly roll your knees from side to side keeping your upper trunk still.
  3. Repeat 5 – 10 times.
Line drawing of a person laying on their stomach and gently lifting their forearms to arch the base of their back 
  1. Lay on your stomach.
  2. Gently lift up onto your forearms to arch the bottom of your back. Keep your back relaxed and use your arm muscles to push yourself up.
  3. Repeat 5 – 10 times.

Exercises following neck surgery

A man stands with his head tilted towards his left shoulder
  1. Tilt your head toward one shoulder until you feel discomfort or a stretch on the opposite side.
  2. Do not push past the pain limit.
  3. Do this exercise in sitting or standing.
  4. Repeat slowly 5 times in each direction.

A man stands with his head tilted towards his left shoulder
  1. Turn your head to one side until you feel discomfort or a stretch.
  2. Do not push past the pain limit.
  3. Do this exercise in sitting or standing.
  4. Repeat slowly 5 times in each direction.

A man stands with his head tilted forward
  1. Bend your head forward until you feel discomfort or a stretch behind your neck.
  2. Do not push past the pain limit.
  3. Do this exercise in sitting or standing.
  4. Repeat slowly 5-10 times.

Supporting your return to daily living activities

Read about resuming daily living activities after spinal surgery.

Contact us

Fiona Stanley Hospital patients are asked to phone the Fiona Stanley Hospital Helpdesk on 6152 2222 and ask to speak with someone from their treating team.

More information

Learn more about understanding spinal surgery care.

Last Updated: 27/09/2023