Spinal Decompression therapy is one of the recently popular types of therapy for back pain which has been present for a longer period, problems with spinal joints or with intervertebral disc degeneration, as well as spinal nerves. This type of therapy can either be nonsurgical or surgical. Surgical spinal decompression is usually used as the last choice of treatment.
This article will give short review what and how are both nonsurgical and surgical spinal decompression therapy done.
Non Surgical spinal decompression therapy
As the name says, this type of spinal decompression therapy does not require surgery. Often, this therapy lasts from half an hour to three-quarters of an hour. Doctors would usually prescribe around twenty treatments for more than a month, so therapy is fully effective. As well as this therapy, a doctor may also prescribe some other types of therapies (cold/heat therapy, ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation therapy) to be done sometime before or after spinal decompression. One receives this therapy with clothes on, lying on a table that is controlled by the computer which is operated by the doctor. Beforehand the doctor will put a secure harness around the upper body. The harness works by stretching the spine, and that slowly relaxes pressure off the spine. The stretching of the spine also makes more space for oxygen and other fluids to flow more freely which is good for tissue and nerves around the spine. By operating the computer, the doctor controls both the table and harness and changes that the force of that stretching. With a long period of treatments, doctors actually specialised the treatment based on the needs of the patient, as well as progress during treatment.
Surgical spinal decompression therapy
Another type of spinal decompression therapy involves surgery. This one is actually not that much advised since there are quite a few risks, especially since it is a vital part of the body. But, as one of the last possible chances, it is used to get rid of a number of symptoms related to spinal nerves such as numbness or pain. Besides this, doctors would opt for surgical spinal decompression for other problems revolving around the spine, like a ruptured or bulging disk. Now onto the risk of this type of surgery. Usually, surgical risks such as bleeding, infection, allergic reaction and blood clots apply here also. But as already said, since it is a surgery on the spine there is an additional risk of damage to the local tissue and vital nerves. This is one of the main reasons why surgical spinal decompression, as well as other surgeries on the spine, are not advised and chose as last options. Replacement for this type of operation can be a removal of the abnormal disc, laminectomy, removal of a large amount of bone or some other common back surgeries.
Non Surgical spinal decompression therapy is not suitable for everybody
Even though it does not require surgery, not all patients with spinal problems should opt for this type of treatment. Since non-surgical spinal decompression therapy involves computers, people with implants in both the spine or other parts of the body should defiantly undergo this therapy. Besides them, a patient with fracture, osteoporosis or a tumour should also find another solution. Pregnant women are also not advised to opt for this therapy.
