5 Types Of Spine Decompression Therapies
Posted on: 9 December 2022
Chronic back pain can greatly reduce your quality of life. Often, pain begets pain as it becomes more difficult to go about daily tasks that would naturally strengthen the spine so it slowly becomes weaker and more prone to pain. Fortunately, there are several spinal decompression therapies that can bring relief.
1. Weight Management
For many adults, one of the main contributing factors to back pain is carrying excess weight. This is why most doctors recommend weight management as the first step for helping with back pain. For those carrying a few extra pounds, better weight management may be necessary in order to become a candidate for more extreme spinal decompression treatments like surgery. Your medical provider can help you determine a working weight management plan that will meet you where you are physically right now.
2. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is typically one of the first recommended spinal treatments if the problem is not a result of a direct trauma that requires immediate surgical intervention. For many, physical therapy combined with weight management tactics can lead to spinal healing. Your therapist will teach you exercises that will both manage pain and address the direct cause of the discomfort, such as postural issues.
3. Therapeutic Injections
Injection treatments are only minimally invasive and can be performed in your doctor's office as anesthesia isn't usually necessary. Injections typically consist of pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroids or cortisone. The injection may be administered to the epidural region of the spine or in the facet joints to address disc conditions.
4. Nerve Stimulation
Nerve stimulation is betters known as TENS treatment (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). Pads are attached to contact points along the spine and muscles of the back, where they then deliver a small electrical pulse. This pulse helps reduce inflammation and pain so that the back can begin to heal. Nerve stimulation is often used for spinal issues resulting from overuse or injury caused by athletics or poor posture.
5. Decompression Surgery
Surgical spinal decompression is necessary if the injury contraindicates the above treatments or if other less invasive treatments haven't been successful. The type of surgery recommended depends on the specifics of your case. Often, removing all or part of a vertebra or disc is the recommended course of action. There are also surgeries to remove bone spurs, widen the nerve centers along the spine, or fuse sections of the spine to improve posture and reduce back stress.
Talk to your doctor to determine the best types of spinal decompression therapy for you. Contact a local health care service, such as Revival Health and Wellness, to learn more.
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