The phrase “spinal decompression” refers broadly to a set of nonsurgical and surgical treatments designed to relieve pressure on the neural components of the spine, explains holistic healthcare professional Sanul Corrielus, MD.
The spinal column comprises a series of bones (vertebrae) that are strung together like beads on a lanyard with ligaments and spinal (intervertebral) discs. A pathway of nerves runs through these connective tissues, which are sometimes known as the neural component of the spine.
A variety of different injuries can impact the integrity of the connective tissues along the spinal column. In some cases, this can put pressure on the pathway of nerves and cause pain.
Spinal decompression therapy can help relieve pain as well as eliminate the root cause of the pain, says Corrielus.
Nonsurgical spinal decompression refers specifically to therapies that are designed to relieve pressure and ease pain, without requiring you to have surgery or be given an anesthetic.
Some of these nonsurgical options can be done from home, including:
Other nonsurgical spinal decompression options require treatment with a physical therapist, acupuncturist, chiropractor, or masseuse.
Some of these treatments include:
True to the name, spinal decompression surgery is the name of a broad category of spinal pain and pressure treatments that are surgical.
“The types of surgeries done for spinal decompression all do one of three things,” says Brian Meenan, DC, with Premier Chiropractic in Pittsburgh, PA.
According to Meenan, this includes:
More specifically, the most common spinal decompression surgeries include:
Yes. Sometimes spinal pressure and pain will go away without any nonsurgical or surgical treatment. In other words, one alternative is time.
“Research tells us that the majority of spinal compression cases will resolve on their own with time and modified activity,” says Meenan.
For more information about exactly which activities you should be changing, talk with a chiropractor or other healthcare professional.
“Resolving pain caused by spinal compression is all about finding the right treatment for your particular issue,” says Corrielus.
Yes, it usually does work.
“The main benefit of nonsurgical spinal decompression is that it can provide relief from pain,” says Martin Andersen, DC, with Morley Chiropractic Clinic in Leeds, United Kingdom.
Even pains that a person has been navigating for a very long time, he says.
“The results, of course, vary by individual,” adds Andersen. “But the general consensus among many patients is that nonsurgical spinal decompression absolutely does work.”
Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy is not safe or accessible for everyone.
“Pregnant people, patients with broken vertebrae, patients who have had spinal fusion, patients who have an artificial disc or other implants in their spine, and patients with failed back surgery are not good candidates for nonsurgical spinal decompression,” says Andersen.
Additionally, you may not be a good candidate for nonsurgical treatment if you use blood-thinning medication to treat an underlying condition, have undergone multiple surgeries without pain improvement, or have any condition that may compromise the integrity of the spine.
This includes:
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks.
“But generally speaking, the chance of risk for surgical spinal decompression is incredibly low as the surgeries are routine and usually minimally invasive,” says Andersen.
When surgical spinal decompression risks do occur, they can include:
It could be!
“Patients with issues such as sciatica, bulging discs, and general persistent back and neck pain are all good candidates for surgical spinal decompression,” says Andersen.
People with spinal stenosis, a slipped disc, metastatic spinal cord compression, or broken bones in the spine can also be good candidates.
By simply talking with a doctor or healthcare professional.
“It’s a good idea to see someone so that your symptoms do not get worse and you’re able to experience relief,” says Meenan.
Spinal decompression therapy is a broad category of treatments designed to provide pressure and pain relief along the spine.
There are surgical and nonsurgical options — which treatment(s) are right for you will vary based on the cause of your pain, the degree of your pain, your age, your overall health, and more.
