Lasting back pains and other related symptoms can be very disruptive to your everyday life. It can get to a point where your life revolves around finding relief. If you are in this kind of situation, you can turn to one of the most effective pain relief treatments out there, spinal decompression surgery.
What Is Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression is a surgical procedure commonly performed in any part of your spine. This ranges from the cervical (neck) to the lumbar (lower back). During the procedure, a surgeon will make an incision in your back muscles and perform the appropriate surgical alterations.
The lamina bone is what the backside of your spinal canal is made of. It forms a roof over your spinal cord. During spinal decompression, the removal of thickened ligaments and lamina creates room for your nerves. Also, it facilitates the abstraction of osteophytes (bone spurs). This condition, also known as spinal stenosis, can result from arthritis, bulging discs, thickened ligaments, bone spurs, enlarged joints, and other age-related issues.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
This type of spinal decompression utilizes motorized traction to help in relieving back pain. It works primarily by gradually stretching your spine. As this change occurs, pressure is slowly taken off the spinal discs. This results in the retraction of herniated and bulging discs. It also relieves pain from your nerves and other parts of your spine. Non-surgical options involve treatments such as:
- Exercising
- Steroid injections
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs
- Bracing
- Physical therapy
- Limited rest
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
During this procedure, you are usually fully clothed. Your doctor will fit you with a harness around your trunk and another one around your pelvis. Afterward, you will lie face-up or face-down on a computerized tablet. Through the computer, your doctor can customize a viable treatment that is perfect for your needs.
Who Should Get This Treatment?
A typical treatment requires about 20 to 28 treatments, each lasting from 30 to 45 minutes. All this is done over around five to seven weeks. Other treatments may be involved before or after the initial treatment. These include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat or cold therapy, and others.
However, some patients should not undergo the non-surgical spinal decompression procedure. If you have a tumor, fracture, or advanced osteoporosis, this procedure is not for you. It is also not advisable if you have metal implants in the spine or abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Surgical Spinal Decompression
This is another effective option for treating particular types of back pain. But this is typically used as a last resort. Your doctor may suggest surgical spinal decompression if all other options have failed. This surgery can help relieve symptoms from pressure and pain on the nerves or spine. The different types of surgical spinal decompression are:
- Laminectomy or laminotomy – Removal of a small piece of bone to enlarge the size of the spinal canal
- Osteophyte removal – Removal of any bony growths
- Discectomy – Removal of a portion of the disc
For more information on how spinal decompression is performed, or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, call Oropeza Chiropractic Wellness Center in Key West, Florida at (305) 294-1036.