Decompression

Decompression refers to treatment that is designed to alleviate back or neck pain that is caused by the irritation of a nerve, a nerve root, or the spinal cord itself in the spinal column.  Treatment options vary depending on the cause, location, and severity of the nerve compression. In almost all cases, treatment first begins conservatively with a series of nonsurgical treatments.  Decompression surgery may be recommended if the symptoms of the nerve compression are debilitating or don’t respond to any other treatments over the course of several weeks.

Compression

A pinched nerve is a relatively common condition that nearly everyone will experience at some point in his or her life. It is usually a result of a minor injury or tweak and will subside after a few days of rest and some heat therapy.  Chronic back or neck pain, on the other hand, is pain that lasts for more than three months and can usually be traced to a degenerative spine condition that requires medical treatment. As an individual ages, the spinal anatomy naturally begins to wear down.  The intervertebral discs that cushion the spine weaken and rupture, the vertebral joints that stabilize the spine become arthritic, bone spurs develop, and muscle weakens. As a result of this deterioration, nerves in the spinal column can sometimes become compressed, which causes pain and pain-related symptoms.

Decompression Treatments

The good news is that in most cases, decompression treatment is first attempted non-surgically with great effect.  Some of the decompression techniques that your doctor may recommend include:

• Low-impact exercise
• Physical therapy and stretching exercises
• Heat/cold therapy
• Chiropractics
• Deep tissue massage
• Pain medication

Should your pain persist after several weeks of noninvasive treatment, your doctor may recommend that you consider decompression surgery.  If this is the case, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn how one of our revolutionary, minimally invasive procedures may be able to deliver the pain relief you require. Call today to learn more about our outpatient procedures and to request a completely free review of your MRI or CT scan.