Lumbar decompression is a technique that can help relieve symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness that people feel in their lower backs, buttocks, legs, and feet. These issues are especially common in the region of the lumbar spine because the lower back is very flexible and is responsible for supporting a large amount of weight, making the lower back prone to damage. To learn about the causes of this compression and the various treatments available, read the following article.
Causes Of Lumbar Spine Compression
Lumbar decompression becomes necessary when the spinal nerves in the lumbar spine are compressed. An example of compression-related symptoms is sciatica, which describes the radiculopathy pain and tingling that present when the sciatic nerve is pinched. Sciatica can be caused by a number of conditions, the most common of which are herniated or bulging discs, bone spurs, and spondylolisthesis.
In these instances, bone, disc material, or other tissues extrude into the spinal canal and pinch the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, so pain traveling along this nerve can be quite debilitating.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Non-surgical lumbar decompression is the practice of using negative intradiscal pressure to pull extruded discs or bone material back into place. A motorized traction device is strapped to the neck or back and a vacuum effect stretches the vertebrae so that shifted or displaced material can return to its natural position, thereby releasing neural decompression. These individual treatments generally take about 45 minutes each, and a patient may require anywhere from 15 to 40-minute sessions over the course of several months. Most patients wear back braces between back decompression sessions.
Lumbar Decompression Surgeries
If you have chronic lumbar spine pain and have tried conservative treatments such as pain medication, steroid injections, physical therapy, massage, or nonsurgical spinal decompression to no avail, you may be ready to consider a spine operation. However traditional open spine surgeries generally require hospitalization and a lengthy recovery period.
If you’re looking for safer and effective alternatives to traditional open spine surgeries that have a shorter recovery period, BEST Health System can help. Our lumbar decompression procedures can help patients find relief from back pain. Contact us today so we guide you on your journey to wellness.
By using a less than 1-inch incision that is muscle sparing, our highly skilled surgeons are able to decompress your lower back, allowing you to feel relief from your chronic symptoms. Reach out to our dedicated team today to determine if you are a potential candidate for our outpatient procedures that can help you get back to the activities you love.
