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Spinal Decompression Helps Failed Low Back Surgery
| Low back pain is one of the most common complaints of people visiting their doctor or taking time off from work. Trauma to the back due to injury, poor body mechanics and even the strains of daily living can all cause low back pain. Chronic low back pain can have a debilitating impact on a person's quality of life. For that reason people sometimes turn to a surgical solution. Although surgery may seem a drastic measure, they are desperate for relief. While surgery may at times be the best course of treatment, in the majority of cases, it is not the best option. In fact, it often fails to relieve the pain that it was meant to treat. Pain Following Back Surgery Sometimes patients can experience pain in the lower back following surgery. Known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), it is characterized by persistent pain and often causes some degree of incapacitation for the patient. It is estimated to affect anywhere from 10 to 40 percent of patients who undergo back surgery. Several causes can contribute to chronic pain following back surgery. For instance, sometimes scar tissue forms at the site of surgical access to the spinal canal. This is known as epidural fibrosis, and is a common cause of post-surgical pain. Another common cause is recurrent disc prolapse, or a herniated disc. This occurs when the tissue that separates the bones of the spinal column ruptures. This can cause pressure on spinal nerves, causing pain or numbness. Following failed back surgery, patients are often frustrated and unsure where to turn for relief. A second surgery is understandably often not the preferred first place to start. Dr. Nygaard of Atlas Family Chiropractic in Asheville, NC recommends spinal decompression as a viable option for patients who suffer from failed low back surgery. How Spinal Decompression Can Help Spinal decompression is a non-invasive treatment that can be done in your chiropractor's office. The patient is strapped to a specially-designed decompression table. The patient is then fitted into a pelvic and a thoracic harness, and the doctor operates the computerized table. As the table moves, it applies a targeted force to the compressed disc. Dr. Nygaard explains, "This gently stretches the spine and creates a vacuum between the vertebrae. Over time, the disc naturally falls back into its original place." By enlarging the space between the discs, decompression allows the bulging disc to eventually return to its normal position. The vacuum effect is also known as negative intra-discal pressure. A highly-specialized computer controls the targeted force, applying a gentle pull to the area. These pulls alternate with periods of relaxation. Spinal decompression encourages oxygen and water to rehydrate damaged discs, promoting healing. Patients generally report spinal decompression sessions as fairly comfortable. Decompression can help the body heal itself, but spinal health is not restored overnight. At each session, the disc can move back toward its natural place at a microscopic pace. A patient will generally have anywhere from 20 to 30 sessions on average, with each session usually taking no longer than 40 minutes. Over the course of four to six weeks, treatment is usually completed. The Bottom Line Some patients report pain relief as early as the third or fourth session. Most patients experience some relief of symptoms halfway through the treatment. If pain relief is not achieved once treatment has been completed, patients are referred for further diagnostic testing. Spinal decompression has helped many sufferers of low back pain following failed surgery. Among the benefits of spinal decompression that have been reported, patients note the convenience of attending sessions in the doctor's office, along with avoiding the risks that accompany additional back surgery. For more information visit: http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net |
About the Author
Bryan Sullivan is the Executive Vice President of Write Away, Inc. - Editorial and content firm based in Weaverville, NC. He is the Feature Editor of Action Pursuit Games Magazine, Editor of Grilled Magazine. He also often writes for regional & national publications about local history, farming, culture and food. He graduated with a degree in communications from Alfred University in New York State and then went on to attend culinary school in NYC where he graduated in the top percent of his class. He proceeded to work in high-end restaurants in New York City, Martha's Vineyard, MA and Naples, FL. Bryan currently lives in Asheville, NC with Liisa and their Black Lab, Annie.
For more information visit:
http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net
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