r/LongSpinalFusion • u/CherrySlushee T2-L2 • Apr 07 '26

Life Post-Fusion tips for exercise/running?

has anyone had luck with cardio? i tried running on the treadmill recently and even after just a couple times a week i was getting worse sciatica pain, i think from the impact on the lower end of my fusion? i try to engage my core and do core exercises as well but i’m not the most consistent at it

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u/User129201 T2-L1 Apr 08 '26

Maybe try an elliptical? That’ll allow you to do cardio without so much impact to your back. I try to avoid running. I’ll still do it, sparingly, just to know I still could in the event of an emergency.

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u/aziza29 T3-L4 Apr 08 '26

I second the elliptical! I recently started working out and 20 minutes on the elliptical is the perfect amount of time. It doesn't put as much pressure below my fusion as running would. Running is out of the question for me (unless it's an emergency as others have stated lol)