Spine Rehabilitation & Recovery | Houston Orthopedic Care

Spinal dysfunction occurs when illness or injury affects your spine, leading to pain, reduced mobility and other challenges. At Fondren Orthopedic Group, Houston’s largest private orthopedic practice, our board-certified specialists develop tailored spine rehabilitation programs to relieve pain and restore function.

What Is Spine Rehabilitation?

Spine rehabilitation uses targeted physical therapy to reduce dysfunction and restore mobility. Options may include inpatient hospital care or outpatient clinic sessions, depending on your needs.

Why Would a Patient Need This Service?

Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend spinal rehabilitation for:

Post-surgery or post-injury recovery
Restoring lost spinal function
Adapting to permanent changes
Regaining independence in daily tasks
Reducing the risk of complications following spinal dysfunction

What Does Treatment Look Like?

When you start spine rehabilitation in Houston, you may work with a physiatrist or a team of specialists. Our team will develop a customized plan tailored to your unique situation and review it with you so you know what to expect. Depending on your plan, treatment sessions may include:

Performing targeted exercises: Curl-ups involve curling your shoulders toward your stomach while lying on the floor. Side planks involve holding your body up on your elbow and forearm while lying on your side. In bird-dogs, you rest on your hands and knees and extend your opposite arm and leg simultaneously. Your team may lead you through these and other exercises to stabilize your core, increase your flexibility and build strength and mobility.
Learning proper body mechanics: Re-learning how to sit, move, stand and lift while using stronger muscles than those in your back can reduce pressure on your back. Proper body mechanics help you minimize pain and even prevent additional injury.
Practicing correct postural concepts: The goal of this part of spine rehab is often to help you maintain a neutral spine — keeping your back in its typical S shape — as you move and remain still. With the correct posture, you may reduce some tension on ligaments, muscles and joints, minimizing pain and helping you avoid further injury. You may also learn exercises to strengthen the muscles that support good posture.
Discovering how to adapt: During your sessions, you may learn how to use mobility devices, manage complications and perform activities that your current spinal condition is affecting. For example, you may learn to use crutches to get in and out of bed, or discover new ways to handle personal grooming to gain greater independence.

Your rehabilitation timeline will depend on your specific diagnosis, treatment plan, and how your body responds to therapy. For example, recovery after many types of spine surgery at Fondren Orthopedic Group may take anywhere from three months to a year, with rehabilitation to help restore function.

For some patients, the active recovery phase may last several weeks, where rehab sessions take place daily or a few times a week. More complex cases can require several months of ongoing rehabilitation, with sessions gradually becoming more infrequent. Research has shown that targeted exercises, proper body mechanics, and correct postural concepts can help decrease spine dysfunction and significantly reduce the risk of recurrence.

Schedule an Appointment for Spine Rehabilitation in Houston

Fondren Orthopedic Group offers evidence-based rehabilitation programs and minimally invasive procedures that may, in some cases, reduce the rehabilitation you may need in the first place. Schedule an appointment online today to find out how our team can help.

New location NOW OPEN in The Woodlands!

Congratulations to Dr. Thomas Mehlhoff who retired from active clinical practice in March, 2026 after 42 YEARS of service!

Welcome Dr. Nickolas Boutris and Dr. Joseph Amos!

Where Does It Hurt?

Spine Rehabilitation

What Is Spine Rehabilitation?

Why Would a Patient Need This Service?

What Does Treatment Look Like?

Schedule an Appointment for Spine Rehabilitation in Houston

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