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.

A single session of traction takes between thirty minutes and one hour. There is no preparation that is required and you even do not need to take your clothes off. A piece of equipment known as a hammock is usually placed around the pelvis (and the limbs) and this is where the force is applied. Several sessions are usually needed for one to notice a positive change (about twenty on average).

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.

Other than traction, a number of other con-surgical options also exist. Physical therapy exists in two main forms: active and passive exercises. The active exercises are done by the individual themselves while the passive exercises are done with the assistance of a therapist. Other alternatives include acupressure and chiropractic among others.

Surgery is largely considered as a last resort option. All the conservative options must first be exhausted. During the surgery positional adjustments of displaced structures may be done or some spinal components may be cut off and removed. A vertebral body may be removed in part or in its entirety. The type of surgery that is performed is named based on the part of the vertebra that is removed hence laminectomy (removal of lamina), foraminectomy (removal of foramen), corpectomy (removal of a vertebral body) 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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