Spinal Decompression

Are you experiencing issues with back pain or similar related symptoms? Chronic back pain impacts millions of people across the country. It can be disruptive to your daily routine and significantly impact your quality of life. There are many treatment options available for severe levels of back pain. One of the best options is spinal decompression or decompression therapy.

We explain everything you need to know about spinal decompression, including the surgical and non-surgical treatment methods that may suit your needs.

What Is Spinal Compression?

Spinal compression can be triggered by any condition that puts more pressure on the spinal cord. The spinal cord is made up of the nerves that carry messages from your brain to muscles and other soft tissues throughout your body. The spinal cord is protected by the backbones, referred to as vertebrae. These are responsible for holding your body upright, with nerves running through the vertebrae out to your muscles.

Spinal cord compression can occur at any point from the top of your neck to the lower areas of the back. Symptoms may include:

Pain
Weakness
Numbness

You can experience all, some, or none of these symptoms due to spinal compression. These symptoms can also develop suddenly or gradually. Again, this depends on the condition that an individual is experiencing. While spinal compression can be managed, some people find the symptoms impossible to handle without the right level of medical support.

Causes of Spinal Compression

There are various causes of spinal compression. Some of the most common causes include:

Abnormal spin alignment (scoliosis)
Bone diseases
Infections
Injury to an area of the spine
Rheumatoid arthritis
Spinal tumors

These conditions can cause symptoms of spinal compression to develop more rapidly and impact an individual suddenly without warning.

However, the most common cause of spinal compression is the wear and tear of different parts of the spine, which is referred to as osteoarthritis. This condition usually impacts people after the age of 50, but it can occur sooner due to lifestyle factors or significant injuries that impact the spine.

Treatment for Spinal Compression

Spinal compression is diagnosed by a healthcare professional asking questions about the symptoms that an individual is experiencing. They will also check for signs of spinal compression during a physical examination. This could include anything from abnormal reflexes to a significant level of weakness.

A healthcare professional may also complete an X-ray of your spine or arrange for special imaging tests, such as an MRI scan, to provide a more detailed overview.

There are two main types of treatment for spinal compression: nonsurgical and surgical methods.

Many nonsurgical spinal decompression treatments are available and should be tried before surgery. These include treatment provided by a chiropractor. During this treatment, patients are connected to a machine that slowly and gently stretches their spine. This helps to relieve pressure that may be impacting their joints, discs, and any connective tissues. The tension generated by the machine is carefully controlled and determined by a chiropractor. The treatment is considered to be perfectly safe and highly effective. Many people report experiencing immediate relief after this type of treatment.

Nonsurgical decompression can also include other types of treatment, including:

Electrical stimulation
Ultrasound treatment
Heat or cold therapy

Electrical stimulation involves using electrical currents. This causes different types of muscles to contract, providing patients with the right level of relief. Ultrasound technology involves using heat from sound waves to promote healing. Alternatively, a medical professional may also use hot or cold therapy to reduce swelling and inflammation around the affected area.

There are other options as well, including:

Physical therapy
Acupuncture
Steroid injections

Some medical professionals focus on altering patients’ lifestyles to improve their symptoms. For instance, they might encourage patients to complete specific exercises to reduce pressure in the spine. They could also work to correct their patients’ posture, which can help improve symptoms and chronic pain.

Spinal decompression surgery is also referred to as lumbar decompression surgery. It can be used to remove or reduce the level of pressure on the spinal cords or nerves while preserving the strength of your spine. Lumbar decompression surgery may include procedures such as:

Laminectomy
Discectomy
Spinal fusion

During a laminectomy, bone is removed from the vertebrae to relieve pressure against the affected nerves. A discectomy is completed to remove a damaged disk, and spinal fusion involves fusing two or more vertebrae together using a bone graft.

This type of surgery will usually be completed using open surgery. However, in some cases, keyhole surgery may be ideal. During treatment like this, micro-endoscopic surgery is performed with a tiny camera. Surgical instruments are inserted through a small incision cut in the patient’s back. This type of treatment isn’t suitable for everyone. Your healthcare provider can help you determine if you are a good candidate.

Spinal surgery is always performed under a general aesthetic. You won’t feel anything during the procedure. Usually, the procedure will take about one hour. However, it can take a little longer than this if any complications arise. The level of decompression required is determined during the X-ray. The X-ray allows a professional to determine the causes of your symptoms.

Spinal Decompression in Idaho Falls

If you are experiencing issues with pain in your back or the bottom of your neck, it is important to get professionally assessed before further complications evolve. While spinal compression is usually age-related, it can be caused by a serious medical issue that will require specialized treatment.

If you need spinal decompression, Dr. Dickinson can help. An expert in the field, Dr. Dickinson has years of experience providing patients with the proper treatment for a wide range of spinal, neck, and back disorders.

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