Spinal Decompression Therapy: Surgical and Nonsurgical-NYC Herniated disc specialists

Several NYC Back pain suffers have been asking me the difference between Surgical and Non-Surgical spinal decompression- This is great information from an excellent source on the web- www.livingwellnewyork.com Spinal Decompression Therapy: Surgical and Nonsurgical If you have lasting back pain and other related symptoms, you know how disruptive to your life it can be. You may be unable to think of little else except finding relief. Some people turn to spinal decompression therapy - either surgical or nonsurgical. Here's what you need to know to help decide whether it might be right for you. What is nonsurgical spinal decompression? Nonsurgical spinal decompression is a type of motorized traction that may help relieve back pain. Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine. That changes the force and position of the spine. This will take pressure off the spinal disks, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine. Over time, negative pressure from this therapy may cause bulging or herniated disks to retract. That can take pressure off the nerves and other structures in your spine. This in turn, helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disks so they can heal. Doctors have used nonsurgical spinal decompression to treat: Back or neck pain or sciatica, which is pain, weakness, or tingling that extends down the leg Bulging or herniated disks or degenerative disk disease Worn spinal joints (called posterior facet syndrome) Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots (called radiculopathy) How is nonsurgical spinal decompression done? You are fully clothed during spinal decompression therapy. The doctor fits you with a harness around your pelvis and another around your trunk. You lie face up on a computer-controlled table. A doctor operates the computer, customizing treatment to your specific needs. Treatment may last 30 to 45 minutes and you may require 20 to 28 treatments over five to seven weeks. Before or after therapy, you may have other types of treatment, such as: Electrical stimulation (electric current that causes certain muscles to contract) Ultrasound (the use of sound waves to generate heat and promote healing) Cold therapy. In our NYC Spinal decompression facility we utulize The Spineforce in conjunction with the DRX 9000 to strengthen core muscles. We utulize Kinesiology tape to stabalize muscles and Cold laser therapy to reduce pain and spped tissue healing. Who should not have nonsurgical spinal decompression? Ask your doctor whether or not you are a good candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression. People with any of these conditions should not have nonsurgical spinal decompression: Contra-indactions to Spinal decompression Pregnancy Fracture Tumor Abdominal aortic aneurysm Advanced osteoporosis Metal implants in spine (sometimes we can work with these patients) What is surgical spinal decompression? Surgical spinal decompression is another option for treating certain types of back pain. But it is usually used as a last resort. If other measures don't work, your doctor may suggest surgical spinal decompression for bulging or ruptured disks, bony growths, or other spinal problems. Surgery may help relieve symptoms from pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, including: Pain Numbness Tingling Weakness Are there different types of spinal decompression surgery? Your doctor may suggest one or more types of back surgeries to relieve the pressure in your spine. In addition, you may need spinal fusion to stabilize your spine. The following are common types of back surgery: Diskectomy: In this procedure, a portion of the disk is removed to relieve pressure on nerves. Laminotomy or laminectomy: A surgeon removes a small portion of bone -- a section of bony arch or the entire bony arch -- to increase the size of the spinal canal and relieve pressure. Foraminotomy or foraminectomy: A surgeon removes bone and other tissue to expand the openings for nerve roots. Osteophyte removal: During the surgery, bony growths are removed. Corpectomy: This procedure involves removing the body of a vertebra and disk. What are the risks with spinal decompression surgery? As with any surgery, there are risks. These are some of the more common risks associated with spinal decompression surgery: Infection Bleeding Blood clots Allergic reaction to anesthesia Nerve or tissue damage Another risk of surgery is that it may not improve back pain much. It can be difficult to determine who will benefit from spinal decompression surgery. Spinal Surgery for a herniated disc should be your last resort when all other non-invasive methods have failed. All to often we treat patients that had a back surgery with little success. Spinal decompression using the DRX 9000 is safe and effective, if you are suffering with a herniated disc in NYC feel free to contact Dr. Steven Shoshany by visiting his website www.drshoshany.com

Watch this video on Spinal decompression an interview by Dr. Albrecht Heyer Phd. and Dr. Steven Shoshany DC.