Compression of the spinal cord is a surprisingly common medical problem, characterized by pain in the lower back, paralysis below the point of compression, incontinence, and several other symptoms. It is also a medical emergency. While those symptoms can be devastating on their own, the compression can lead to permanent damage to the spine if it is allowed to go untreated. Surgery is the most common tool for performing spinal decompression, but it is not the only tool. Some physicians will try non-surgical spinal decompression. All patients need to understand their options before choosing their treatment method, so anyone who might suffer from spinal compression should strive to understand the non-surgical treatment option.
Mechanism of Treatment
Non-surgical spinal decompression is related to traction therapy, and it is often performed with mechanical help. The patient’s spine is manipulated so that it goes through cycles of stretching and relaxation. That puts negative pressure on the damaged portion of the spine. The pressure helps to move everything back into the proper position. It can also promote the flow of nutrients into that part of the spine, which helps the body to heal through its own natural processes.
There are a lot of minor variations in this process that a medical professional can choose to employ or not according to the patient’s condition. For example, some methods involve the patient laying in a prone position, while others call for a supine position. Naturally, the details of the stretching will also vary depending on the position of the problem in the spine.
The process is not invasive, and it should not be painful for the patient even though it involves manipulating an injured part of the body. When everything is done properly, the patient should feel as though their spine is stretching and relaxing, but not in a way that is painful or particularly uncomfortable.
This is a gradual process rather than a sudden correction, so it can take a great deal of time to conduct the treatment. In most cases, the flexing cycle with take between 30 and 45 minutes. Some people will need other treatments at the same time in order to get the best results, and that can add to the length of a session. Most people will need to go through the process somewhere between 15 and 30 times, with people who suffer from more extreme back problems needing more and longer treatments. The spine also needs a rest period to heal on its own between sessions, so most people will spend between one or two months on the entire process.
It may be necessary to do some work at home during the treatment process. Some patients will need to drink more water, perform specific exercises, or adjust their diet for better nutrition. As with any medical treatment, the most important factor is carefully following the doctor’s instructions to make sure everything goes according to plan.