Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression procedure is generally done in an operating room under fluoroscopic control. Procedure involves a small incision about half an inch or even less where an instrument is inserted and guides it through the affected area. This specialized mini instrument will then remove some of the fibrous tissue. The patient is usually under a local anesthetic and this procedure usually last for half an hour. No sutures are use and patient is steri-stripped.

Recovery time is short. In some cases patient is required to spend at least one night in the hospital but there are cases too when patient can be sent home just after the surgery and return to its normal activities gradually. As the day goes you can increase your activities to a level that you can tolerate or you are comfortable in the next three to four days. Most of these patients are over their surgery in two weeks or three weeks time. Most of these patients observe less pain or even pain free after.

MILD procedure is specifically intended for older patients who are advised to have a traditional open surgery which will require months of recovery. This procedure is minimally invasive and it can be done with only a night stay in the hospital. There is less risk and complications with this procedure unlike the traditional open back surgery.

The effectiveness of such procedure is supported with studies and the result showed that minimally invasive lumbar spine decompression is effective and safe treatment for those advance in age and who is suffering from spondylosis and spinal Stenosis. Elder patients are definitely good candidates for MILD (Neurosurgery 2007).

This machine features a computerized system that has a pre-programmed cycle patterns with just the right amount of axial decompression which permits for higher level of spinal traction as well as disc re-hydration. During the therapy the spinal is stretch so that if a disc material has bulge out, it tends to bring back in the herniated material and allow healing to happen. Since the herniated material has return to its place, it releases off pressure in the inflamed nerves promoting healing.

For lower back pain, a pelvic harness is use by the patient and the patient lies in an equipped table where stretching starts. The force is operated through the pelvic harness till the right tension is reached. After the right tension is reached then slowly the tension is decrease and the process is repeated again. This level of tension is individually adjusted and recorded.

For neck pain, the head is positioned comfortably in the supportive device which pulls the neck gently stretching the joints in your cervical spine or neck. Care positioning and calibration is applied so as to bring enough tension to relieve symptoms.

With repeated treatments for a period of time, it lets the outer layer of the disc to heal and keep the gel-like material in the center of the disc. Also the traction brings back nutrients to the disc. It re-hydrates the disc and heals it. One can also change the position of the traction pull as well as the height of the table so as to focus only in a particular segment of the spine and certain direction.

This therapy is painless and some patients experience relief once decompression occurs. Aside from the traction or spinal decompression therapy, it is important that one has to follow the prescribed home exercise by your physiotherapist so as to minimize the stress in the disc and participate in the right stabilization and strengthening program.

Traction is quite effective in managing symptoms of the following back conditions – herniated or bulging disc, spinal Stenosis, sciatica, facet syndrome, degenerative disc disease, neck pain, pain that is radiating down the arm, pinched nerves and spondylitis

To date there are a lot of research and studies conducted for traction as one way of relieving back pain, unfortunately the results need to be studied further to really determine the efficacy of the device (Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2008).

Narrowing of the spine is a common condition among elderly people and mostly found in people who are affected with osteoarthritis. Even the young are not exempted with this condition because it can strike them when they had spinal injuries or a narrow spinal canal. So what causes narrowing of the spine? Read further on and discover the cause of the narrowing of the spine.

Age. Because of the normal aging process the tough connecting tissues between the vertebrae in the spine thicken and you may also find bone spurs in the spinal canal. Age can also cause the spinal disc to deteriorate. All these causes narrowing of the spine.

Arthritis. Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can narrow the spine.

Hereditary. There are cases when his spinal canal is too small by birth so that narrowing of the spine can be seen at such a young age. There might also be structural deformities in the vertebrae which can result to narrowing of the spinal canal.

Spine Arthritis. This condition is one common cause for spinal Stenosis. Arthritic changes which can result to nerve compression will in turn cause narrowing of the spine. Most common changes can include degeneration of the spinal disc, calcification of ligaments in the spine and bone spurs.

Trauma or Injury. Mot of the time injuries and accidents may dislocate the spine and can injure the spinal canal. Fragments of bones can go through the spinal canal which can cause to spine problems.

There are number of treatment available for narrowing of the spine. Checkout below some of the most common treatment for this condition.

Alternative Therapy. This therapy may include massage, acupressure, magnet, acupuncture and many more. It does bring changes in the condition that is associated with narrowing of the spine.

Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines. NSAID’s are the usual prescribed medication to lessen inflammation and relieve pain. This medicine should be taken under the guidance of your healthcare provider.

Physical Therapy. The first line of treatment for narrowing of spine or spinal Stenosis is physical therapy. This focus in strengthening the back muscles as well as stretching the muscles and not to forget improves posture.

Rest. This is of course recommended to treat the condition. Resume to your usual activity slowly after the rest also helps in lessening the symptoms you experience. Performing light aerobic activity like cycling may be suggested after the rest.

Weight Loss. Losing weight is quite hard but losing a few pounds is quite beneficial for people who suffer from spinal Stenosis. When you are lighter then the spine has fewer loads which can take too much stress off the spine.

Spine Surgery. When all the other options mentioned above fails then surgery may be necessary. With the surgery the nerves are decompress. However it is better to exhaust all means before resorting to surgery.

So if you are one of those who suffer from narrowing of the spine, better consult your doctor immediately. This condition can bring too much discomfort in performing your daily task that is why it is better to seek medical help as early as possible so that the right medical interventions can be started.

Read further on as we try to present a balanced view of the status of PLDD when you talk about treatment for contained lumbar disc herniation.

Beginnings of PLDD

Using of laser in treating lumbar herniated disc started in the early 1980s and the first PLDD in human patient was performed in February 1986. The FDA approved PLDD in 1991 and figures showed that about 35,000 PLDD has been performed around the world ( J Clin Laser Med Surg 1992 )

PLDD treatment is usually done in outpatient basis which makes use of a local anesthesia. It involves using a thin needle that is inserted in the herniated disc assisted with X-ray equipment. Optical fiber is then inserted to the needle and through this fiber is where the laser energy runs through which vaporize a small part of the disc nucleus. This makes a partial vacuum thus drawing the herniation away from the nerve root thus relieving pain. You can immediately feel the effect.

Patients can get off right after the procedure is done and most patients can go back to work after four to five days. Since a thin needle is use you are free from any scar or cutting and since only a small portion of the disc is vaporized it does not result to spinal instability. PLDD is definitely much better than the traditional open back surgery since PLDD does not have the complications that open back surgery has.

Who are qualified for such procedure? Patients who are suffering from disc problems with severe lower back, neck, arm or leg pain; persistent pain that does not respond to six weeks conservative treatment, and herniated lumbar disc identified through MRI, X-rays, Discography, Myelography and CAT scanning.

Indeed many patients today opt for PLDD because of its high success rate and lower risk of complications.

This table is computer operated and the process is easy. Patients are positioned face down in the able with their arms stretch overhead and holding a handle that is attached in the table. This table offers slow stretching of the spine alternating a few minutes with relaxation. If patients feel too much discomfort then the patient can limit the number of tractions by just releasing the handle. This procedure works effectively and it leads to spinal decompression.

Various conditions of the back are treated with this decompression therapy but the most common condition of all is herniated spinal disc. Such conditions occur when the disc is damaged so that the gelatinous material can leak out its inner outer layer which can then press against the spinal nerve which can cause pain and sometimes loss of nerve function.

VAX –D alternating traction can be effective to manage pain which is linked to bulging disc although manual manipulation which definitely cost less is equally effective too. No studies can prove that this traction machine can really correct a herniated disc although it can help manage the pain symptoms brought by the condition (The Back Letter 1998 ).

There are other similar devices that are out in the market and these devices usually cost around $80,000 to $125,000 for a new one. There are also used ones which can cost between $20,000 to $40,000. Indeed a lot of research and studies have been made to prove the effectivity of VAX-D in spinal decompression unfortunately not one results can prove its scientific claim of being able to treat various back conditions ( Journal of Neurosurgery 1994 ).

In conclusion, VAX-D is a high tech form of mechanical traction and is quite expensive. It can offer relief in some cases of back problems but unfortunately been marketed with unproven claims where it can correct herniated disc and degenerated disc diseases without surgery. It may be cleared by FDA as a traction device but FDA sets limits on it when it comes with manufacture’s claim. VAX-D therapy may provide relief for selected patients however there is a very good reason to believe that manual treatment can accomplish what this devices claim and manual treatment is less expensive and safe too.

For those who suffer from back and neck pain, they often experience weakness, reduce function of the lower and upper limbs, pain, tingling and numbness. These symptoms can be so disabling that it often affects your daily task, work and even sleep.

Most common condition that brings these symptoms is disc herniation where the inner soft material of a disc breaks through its outer layer thus protrudes and compresses the nerve which results to pain that often radiates from the neck to the arm and hand or from the back down to the groin, leg and foot area. This disc problem can be terrible and can bring too much discomfort to you.

Does spinal decompression really work and can keep you from spending thousands of dollars for spinal surgery? This is just one of the many questions that patients ask their doctors. Spinal decompression is performed using the spinal decompression machine where the patient is required to lay down on its back in the table.

The machine is computer operated. The spine is stretched allowing the inner material of the disc that has break out be drawn back to its original position. When the inner material of the disc is drawn back to its original position then it takes off the pressure from the nerves resulting to pain relief in the neck or back as well as in the arms or legs. Spinal decompression truly provides healing to the disc giving the disc its health back.

In fact there were numerous studies done with spinal decompression therapy. One study showed 86% of ruptured intervertebral disc or herniated disc patients achieved good to excellent results using the decompression therapy. Good is rated as 50% to 89% improvement while excellent is rated as 90% to 100% improvement (American Journal of Pain Management, 1997)

If after medication, physical therapy, exercise and chiropractic treatment have failed then perhaps you can try for the non-invasive spinal decompression. Most people who were scheduled for surgery have miraculously healed without the surgery but only the spinal decompression therapy. If surgery is done, the most common procedure of surgery is discectomy or laminrctomy and is quite expensive. It can cost about $10,000 to $15,000 or even more that is after the insurance company pays their portion.

With spinal decompression it is less expensive. It can cost about $100 to $200 per session and generally it takes about 20 sessions to achieve the cure that you want. Generally spinal decompression cost around $2,000 to $4,000 for spinal decompression therapy. It is less expensive plus you do not have to undergo surgery, no recovery period, no discomfort and results are really good.

However this therapy is not for everyone thus patient will be closely evaluated by their doctors to see if they are qualified to have spinal decompression therapy. That is why always consult your doctor if you are planning to have this treatment.

Most common cause of back pain is a result from incorrect posture when you are sitting or standing. Through time this vertebra in the spine compresses thus causing pressure on the nerves of the spine. Because of spinal compression muscles are misaligned which causes more pain in some parts of the body. If pain is felt in other parts of the body then it may be a result from a pinched nerve between the compressed vertebras. Once back pain starts then it go worst over night or through time for as long as the nerves are compressed. This is where spinal decompression is needed.

You can have spinal decompression treatment at home using the traction device or any other techniques that provides relief pressure on the nerves and stretch the vertebrae. Some of the techniques include stretching exercises, the use of inversion tables and traction devices; back stretchers and extenders; and yoga. For most individuals who suffers mild to moderate back pain, this methods perform at home do work but for those who have chronic back pain should see spine specialist before you perform such treatment.

Of course spinal decompression therapy done in clinical settings works effectively for most patients. Spinal decompression therapy done in a clinic uses a state of the art technology that is the spinal decompression machine to maneuver the spine to its right curve. A large number of studies has been done to see how effective this therapy is and results showed great improvement for patients whose been suffering back pain especially those who suffers from herniated disc. American Spinal Decompression Association reports that seven out of ten patients have shown significant improvement.

Another study perform to 20 patients which is treated with decompression table shows up to 90% reduction in disc herniation and at some point has detected occurrence of re-hydration. Furthermore it was seen in all patients a repair of torn annulus (E.L. Eyerman, MD, Journal of Neuroimaging, June 1998).

To get a clear picture of what these conditions are, let us try to define what they are. A herniated or bulging disc is a condition where the inner jelly like center of the disc has bulge out to its outer segment. A Degenerative Disc Disease or DDD is a condition where there is deterioration of the discs to function normally and resist pressure. And sciatica is the condition where a damaged disc compresses a spinal nerve that leads to the sciatic nerve thus resulting to a sharp pain that spreads through the buttocks down to the legs.

Patients suffering from such condition may utilize spinal decompression therapy. It is a non-surgical method to treat various back or spinal problems. Most doctors nowadays have incorporated this method in treating their patients. This method of treatment is much preferred over surgery. It has a much high percentage of success in treating spinal conditions.

How does spinal decompression therapy works?

Each therapy last for thirty minutes, the patient lies in the decompression table. After the patient is in secured position, the patient can just relax by watching movie, listening to music or they can even take a nap. This thirty minute session is mostly split up into 18 phase where spinal decompressive forces spin between minimum and maximum therapeutic level. This cycle process makes a pumping action that mimics the natural procedures responsible for nourishing the intervertebral disc.

Patients may feel light side effects like mild muscular discomfort during the therapy. The felling is just like what one feel at the start of an exercise routine. Most of the patients do find the treatment relaxing and comfortable. They feel a gentle stretch in lumbar spine and actually feel sleepy for that short thirty minute period. A good combination to spinal decompression therapy includes a cold therapy and electrical stimulation. Also an exercise is often prescribed too to save the benefits of spinal decompression therapy. The DRX9000 Spinal decompression system is popularly use by physicians for their spinal decompression therapy.

The DRX9000 and DRX9000C works by gradually stretching the vertebrae producing a negative pressure in the disc so that his pressure draws the herniated disc back to its place. It brings back fluid and gives the disc back its health. Several studies have been conducted and it showed the effectivity of spinal decompression therapy in treating various back problems (Journal of Neurosurgery 1994).

Spinal tables are made for the lone purpose of spinal decompression therapy. This machine should only be handled by professionals and should not be operated by anyone who does not know how the equipment works. This table is use to create traction thus increasing the spaces between vertebrae which results to reduce pressure in the spine hence resulting to a total spinal decompression and pain relief.

There are various types of spinal therapy tables and the bestselling and considered by most doctors and patients the best spinal decompression tables are the following – DOC Decompression Table, DRX9000 and Vax-D Decompression Table. These tables are quite expensive whether you opt for a brand new one or used one the price will not go under $10,000. Patients who cannot afford such tables can always visit a clinic for a spinal therapy. Each session might cost you $200 depending on your doctor and the usual number of session to complete treatment is twenty or more depending on the severity of your condition.

In the long run it might be expensive but this is much better option than surgery. More and more people who are suffering from back pain due to various back problems have raised hopes because of this new method which is proven to be very effective in treating various back problems. Indeed it is the safest way and has the high percentage of success in treating back pains.

Medical records have shown that patients who undergo such therapy have experience pain relief and those who need back surgery do not have to undergo the surgery anymore when they tried the spinal decompression therapy. It just shows that the therapy is really effective in treating the real cause of the pain.

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The most common back problem that is treated by decompression of the spine include degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, stenosis, sciatica, bulging discs and spinal arthritis.

How does Spinal Decompression work?

The best thing about this new technology is that it targets the specific area or the damaged disc that causes back pain. The decompressive force slowly stretches the spine where it needs allowing the negative pressure to develop in the damaged disc. With the negative force it makes the disc bulge retract back to the disc and at the same time draws oxygen, nutrients and water back into the disc thus restoring and rejuvenating the disc and gets it to function normally.

Spinal decompression really heals from the source thus provides long lasting effect. The pain slowly disappears as your disc begins to heal. During the therapy, the patient just lies on a padded bed and they don’t experience any pain at all but just a gentle stretch in the lumbar spine or neck. They even find this therapy to be relaxing and comfortable. Here are some interesting facts and worth to note regarding Spinal Decompression;

• Patients who completed their whole program of Spinal Decompression care shows high success rate for pain relief.
• 86% of patient treated reports immediate relief of symptoms.
• Patients who undergo the therapy have freedom from all pain medications.
• Day to day activities is continued with no problem anymore.

Spine decompression is proven effective in several studies in fact an MRI evidence of non-surgical, mechanical reduction, re-hydration and repair of the herniated lumbar disc is seen (Journal of Neuroimaging 1998).

Indeed spinal decompression is quite popular today. It is one treatment that most people turn to when it comes to neck pain or back pain which is caused by damaged disc. People really find Spinal decompression really effective.