Enhanced Surgical Recovery (ESR) for spine surgery is changing how patients heal. When it is done well—with strong pre-op education, nutrition support, multimodal pain control, and early movement—it can cut opioid use, shorten hospital stays, and reduce readmissions. Integrative chiropractic care and nurse practitioners (NPs) fit naturally into this model, and newer tools such as virtual reality (VR) can further accelerate recovery. Below is a clear overview of how ESR/ERAS works for spine surgery, how chiropractic and NPs strengthen the pathway, and how VR can be used to improve strength, function, and long-term outcomes. What Is Enhanced Surgical Recovery (ESR/ERAS) in Spine Surgery? Enhanced Surgical Recovery (ESR), also known as Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), is a structured, evidence-based care pathway that follows the patient from pre-op clinic to home recovery. It is designed to: Reduce the body’s stress response to surgery Protect organ function Get patie...
Integrative chiropractic care is about more than a quick adjustment and a “see you in six weeks.” In many modern clinics, including Dr. Alexander Jimenez’s practices in El Paso, care plans mix spinal adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, exercise, nutrition, and home tools to help your body heal between visits. Self-massage tools are a big part of that plan. Foam rollers, massage balls, percussion guns, and simple trigger point tools can: Ease muscle tension Improve blood flow Support joint mobility Help you get more out of your chiropractic treatments But they must be used correctly under your chiropractor's or nurse practitioner's guidance, especially if you have injuries, nerve problems, or medical conditions. (Spine & Health Co., 2023; Jimenez, 2022) spineandhealthco.com.au +1 This article explains the most common self-massage tools, how they support integrative chiropractic care, and practical ways to use them safely at home. How Self-Massage Fits into Integ...
