We all know smoking is bad for our general health, but it can also delay healing and increase the experience of back pain.
We recently presented at the NZ Pain Conference on the impact of smoking on people recovering from spine surgery. Smokers had more pain, less function and were less likely to be back at work after their rehab when compared to non-smokers. If you are considering having spine surgery – the best thing to do is try giving up.
If you need help to quit smoking, there are a number of agencies that can help. See quit.org.nz or smokefree.org.nz to get the advice and support you need.
