Back Decompression Methods

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Back Decompression Methods

Back decompression is a way to relieve the pressure that can build up on the spine’s vertebrae and intervertebral discs over time. This pressure can cause conditions like bulging discs, herniated discs, pinched nerves, disc degeneration, and more, all of which can result in painful symptoms, limited mobility, and a decreased quality of life.

Back decompression can be achieved in a variety of ways:

Stretching - For less severe cases, relief can be achieved with simple, at-home stretches which are meant to elongate the spine, creating negative pressure within the disc itself. This allows herniated or bulging disc material to recede back into the disc, lets degenerative discs heal more easily, and takes the pressure off of irritated nerves.
Chiropractic care - In this method, the chiropractor will have the patient lie on a special spinal decompression table. They then manipulate the spine and put the patient in certain positions while gently pulling the upper and lower body in opposite directions to lengthen the spine.
Inversion - A popular and traditional method of back decompression, inversion involves hanging upside down by the feet or ankles so that the weight of your own body pulls downward and allows the spine to expand.
Surgery - Always the last resort, surgery doesn’t actually decompress the spine so much as remove the cause of your pain or other symptoms. In the case of a herniated disc, for example, the surgeon would remove the portion of the disc that is impinging on the nerve to stop the nerve from sending pain signals and to allow it to transmit electrical impulses effectively.

Treatment for those Still Suffering After Decompression

If you’ve tried multiple back decompression techniques and still haven’t found relief, your doctor may recommend surgery as a way to stop the pain and relieve your symptoms, and Laser Spine Institute (LSI) offers several alternative procedures to achieve this without a lengthy recovery time. For information on LSI’s endoscopic procedures, contact us today, and we’ll review your MRI or CT scan for free.

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