Decompression Blog

You may first need to know what the term “spine decompression therapy” means. Simply stated, it is the relief of pressure on one or many pinched nerves of the spinal column that causes nerve interference and pain. This can be achieved either surgically or non-surgically for conditions such as:

  • Bulging disc
  • Herniated disc
  • Sciatica
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Poor Posture
  • Repetitive stress
  • Acute injury

Spinal decompression surgery is used to treat compressed nerves in the lower spine and is generally only recommended when non-surgical spine decompression therapy hasn’t helped the patient. The surgery aims to improve symptoms such as persistent pain and numbness in the legs caused by pressure on the nerves in the spine for conditions such as spinal stenosis, slipped disc and sciatica, spinal injuries, and metastatic spinal cord compression.

Spinal decompression surgery is usually performed under general anesthetic which means you will not be awake during the surgery. Patients may be able to walk and leave the hospital after one to four days, but more strenuous activities will need to be avoided for about six weeks.

Whether young or old, back pain is common to most people and is one of the most common complaints to family doctors. It is a fact that back problems typically respond to nonsurgical treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medications, heat, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. Back surgery can help relieve some causes of back pain, but it is rarely necessary. Most back pain resolves on its own within three months and if conservative treatments have not worked and your pain is persistent and disabling, surgery might be an option.

Ask your medical physician, as well as your chiropractor, about what is the recovery from back surgery? Be sure that all the members of your health care team are working together to complement the care you are receiving before making a decision about back surgery.

There are four common types of back surgery:

Dealing with chronic low back pain (pain that lasts longer than three months) can be especially trying if you don’t know the cause. Although many forms of back pain are age-related, such as arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or other unexplained muscle pain and tenderness, it can also be the result of a specific injury. Because it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of chronic back pain, it’s important not to make rushed decisions or undergo extensive medical procedures until the origin of the pain is found.

If the source of the pain is not found by your medical physician, seek the services of a chiropractor, a doctor trained and certified to work with patients to find the root cause of their pain and can then offer low back pain treatments with non-surgical alternatives, including:

Nampa Office

Mckim Chiropractic

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