Facts Related To Spinal Decompression Conroe Back Pain Clients Should Know

By Amy Jackson


Back pain has many causes. Inter-vertebral disc prolapse contributes to a significant number of complaints that are seen in clinics. It is a leading cause of absenteeism from work and school and generally, reduced productivity. Spinal decompression is the intervention that is used to solve this problem. There are a number of important facts on spinal decompression Conroe clients need to have as they seek treatment for back pain.

The most common conservative option is traction. As the name suggests, this treatment entails the application of a pulling force to the spine so as to relive any pressure existing within its various components. If your symptoms are due to a displaced inter-vertebral disc, the pull creates negative pressure between the adjacent vertebral bodies and the disc slips back to its position.

The entire exercise of traction takes between 30 and 60 minutes. You do not need any preparation so you can be subjected to the procedure on the same day that the decision is made. With your clothes on, a piece of equipment is fastened around the pelvis and the lower limbs. A pull on this hammock transmits the pulling force to the spine. The average person needs about 20 sessions to realize a positive change.

Although there are no strict criteria to be met for one to be considered a candidate, one must remember that there are certain situations in which having the procedure may be inappropriate. Pregnancy is one of such situations since there is a possibility of interfering with the fetal well-being. Another important situation is cases in which persons either have implants in their limb bones or have recent fractures. The risk of aggravating these injuries is quite high.

Apart from traction, there are a number of other non-conservative options that exist. Physical therapy has been tried for a number of patients with varying success. The therapy is broadly divided into active and passive exercises. Alternative medicine options such as chiropractic and acupressure may also be beneficial on their own or when conducted alongside other interventions.

Surgery is generally a last resort option. Its aim is to either re-position the anatomical structure that is causing the symptoms or to remove it in its entirety. Vertebral bodies may be removed in whole or in part. The surgery is named depending on the part that is removed. For instance, in the case of the lamina (the arched part of the vertebra) it will be called laminectomy and if it is the foramen (canal) that is widened it will be referred to as foraminectomy and so on.

Surgery is associated with a number of risks that may be encountered either in the short term or in the long term. The short term complications that one may suffer from include excessive blood loss during the operation, injury to vital structures (including the spinal cord) and infections. If one or several vertebral bodies are removed spinal instability is a possible long term complication.

Before the decision to have the surgery is made, you will be evaluated by your doctor. Imaging studies such as the MRI, CT scans, and X-rays will be used to locate the lesion and to determine whether surgery is really needed. Some blood tests may be needed as well. You will be asked to stop smoking and taking blood thinners for a few weeks so as to increase the chances of having a speedy recovery.




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