Important Principles On Spinal Decompression Conroe Inhabitants May Find Helpful

By Douglas Gray


Spinal decompression is a form of therapy meant to provide pressure relief to nerve impingement within the spinal cord. It is applied in management of conditions where chronic back pain is the chief complaint. Examples of these conditions include spinal stenosis, disc herniation, sciatica and so forth. These are some of the facts about spinal decompression Conroe people may wish to know.

Spinal decompression can be surgical or non surgical. There are two common surgical methods that may be used. These are laminectomy and microdecompression. Microdecompression (also known as microdiscectomy) involves the use of microscopy to carry out a minimally invasive operation. Obstructing bony elements are removed from the site piecemeal.

Open decompression (laminectomy) is a more invasive procedure. Here, a part of one or several vertebra are removed to relieve the increased pressure. This technique is, for this reason, less preferred. It should only be considered when all other methods have failed.

The non-surgical technique involves applying mechanical traction to the discs to cause desired pressure release. In this technique, the patient is fastened onto a table using straps. The arrangement is then attached to a computer which controls how much pressure is to be released. The traction can be done in form of either a horizontal supine pull or vertical upright pull. The vertical pull may also be done with the patient lying upside down, a procedure known as inversion therapy.

In non-operative treatment, one does not need to undress. The therapeutic effect can be achieved even when one is fully clothed. The straps are placed anywhere along the spine based on the region affected. The procedure lasts for between thirty and forty five minutes. This therapy is said to be complete after at least twenty treatments lasting for about one and half months. Other modes including electric stimulation can be applied before or thereafter.

Apart from being non surgical, the method is less invasive and no medicine is needed unlike the invasive surgical method. The non surgical procedure can be effective in many conditions including herniated discs, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease among others. Patient with broken vertebrae are however advised against use of this therapy. Additionally, patients who have had a failed spinal surgery should not take part in this form of treatment.

As you recover from the surgery, you should understand that it takes a while to regain your initial fitness. At the same time, there is great inter-individual variability in the amount of time required for this since the severity of the problem may not be the same. At the same time, the ability to heal also differs. In general, however, 2 to 6 weeks are needed for one to regain full fitness.

Physical exercise is important both in the early and remote postoperative period. Physical activity has been found to greatly influence healing by enhancing the flow of blood and nutrients to the operated site whose effect is to expedite healing. Routine exercises also ensure that the connective tissues of the back remain active and functional even when general activity is reduced to allow for healing. It is recommended that one starts with lighter exercises before taking on heavier ones gradually.




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