The recovery should be divided period into 3 stages:

There could be an associated muscle spasm and swelling (inflammation) of the discs or nerves. No rehabilitation can take place until pain and swelling are significantly reduced.

Resting is mandatory following 48 hours after the intervention, using anti-inflammatories, a low back or neck support and common sense for a 1-2 week period.

It is imperative, from a psychological point of view, to get out of this stage as fast as possible, as this stage is the most vulnerable stage for potential disc injury.

Systemic administration of nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drugs or opioids as needed.

Once the acute symptoms are controlled (two to three days), you may get good relief using a heating pad to help you relax the supportive muscles that are in spasm and causing pain.

2nd Stage: Rehabilitation

Start with low back exercises, maybe 10 at a time a couple of times per day. Slowly increase your activity levels. This part of the rehab stage begins 1-2 weeks after starting the back exercises, as soon as you feel you are ready. This has to be a slow progression.

Heat makes blood vessels get larger, called vasodilation. This action helps to flush away chemicals that are making your neck hurt. It also helps to bring in nutrients and oxygen which help the area heal. True heat in the form of a moist hot pack, a heating pad, or warm shower or bath is more beneficial than creams that merely give the feeling of heat. Hot packs are usually placed on the sore area for 15 to 20 minutes. Special care must be taken to make sure your skin doesn't overheat and burn. It's also not a good idea to sleep with an electric hot pad at night.

An ultrasound machine produces high frequency sound waves that are directed toward the sore area. Passing through the body's tissues, these waves vibrate molecules. This causes friction and warmth as the sound passes through the tissue. The rest of the sound changes to heat in the deeper tissues of the body. This heating effect helps flush the sore area and brings in a new supply of nutrient and oxygen-rich blood. Ultrasound treatments are a way for your therapist to reach tissues that are over two inches below the surface of your skin.

Physical therapists are trained in many different forms of massage and mobilization when treating the neck. Massage has been shown to calm pain and spasm by helping muscles relax, by bringing in a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood, and by flushing the area of chemical irritants that come from inflammation. Soft tissue treatments can help tight muscles relax, getting them back to a normal length. This will help you begin to move with less pain and greater ease.

After a 2-3 month period, you can now go into the third stage, which is the maintenance stage. This is the incorporation of whatever is needed into your daily schedule to allow you to live a healthy life.

No one can go from having back pain to a lifestyle devoid of some rehab program without having future flare-ups that tend to worsen as time goes on. Your objective is to reduce the likelihood of future problems while allowing you to live a lifestyle compatible with your wishes and desires. And to do this, you MUST pay the price of rehabbing the back.

It takes times to recover from surgery, so take it slow!  Expect to feel tired.  Normal activities may be restricted for several weeks.  This may include working, lifting and driving a motor vehicle.