painSurgical decompression is a procedure that is rendered as a “treatment of last resort” for chronic backache and other musculoskeletal disorders. When all else fails, the physician will suggest surgery to treat your bone growths and ruptured disks. The surgery will relieve severe symptoms such as tingling, numbness, weakness, and severe pain in the back area.
There are several surgical procedures for decompressing the spine, depending on your case of back pain. Here are some of the surgeries for back pain:
- Foraminotomy or Foraminectomy – removal of bones or tissues to help expand nerve root openings on the back area
- Laminotomy or Laminectomy – removal of some sections of the bony arch as a way to improve the size of the spinal canal and minimize pressure
- Corpectomy – removal of the vertebral body and some disks
- Osteophyte Removal – removal of any bony growth
- Discectomy – removal of a portion of the disk to help do away with pressure
Depending on the surgery and your body’s response to treatment, you will be required to stay at a medical facility for about four to seven days. You will be prescribed painkillers to manage the pain, and a concomitant rehabilitation program ensues for your final recovery.
There are some risks involved but they can be negligible if proper surgery aftercare is followed. Commonly, patients are at risk for infection, bleeding, allergies, blood clots, and possible nerve or tissue damage.
Non-surgical decompression
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a motorized traction process that involves the practice of stretching one’s spine to help relieve the pain. The pain may be due to various reasons but could include chronic pain due to whiplash. A motorized table is used in this particular treatment. It offers maximum healing environment for those with bulging, herniated, and degenerating disks.
The whole process works without any invasive surgery, starting by gently stretching the spine to help change its force and positioning. This helps get rid of the pressure on the disks and aids them to retract back into place. Because of this, the nerves and other structures around the spine will no longer experience any pressure. Medical experts say this particular treatment ensures movement of water, certain nutrients, and oxygen into the disks, thus facilitates healing.
Should you get non-surgical decompression?
Patients suffering from whiplash injuries in Orem are advised to see their chiropractor before considering non-surgical decompression treatment. You have to ensure you are healthy and not suffering from other underlying medical condition that can be exacerbated by the treatment.
The main point of the procedure is to treat and relieve pain by reducing pressure on the nerves and disks. Many medical experts attest that the treatment works, with many patients reporting relief and positive results after the procedure.
Spinal decompression is a treatment that affords relief for various conditions as neck pain, leg pain, and even lower back pain. The injuries could be due to accidents or excessive physical training such as in the case of athletes.
Your doctor will advise you on the appropriate procedure after a thorough examination. Remember, this is just an alternative treatment. If non-surgical decompression does not suit you, you are encouraged to explore and try other medical and holistic options to treat pain.
