Back decompression or spinal decompression is the process of relieving the pain caused due to the compression of the nerve roots that are a part of the spinal cord.
The vertebrae have several discs which are made up of bone substance.
They are covered by the outer protective rings.
When the spinal cord is compressed due to tension or pressure upon it, the disc breaks through its protective ring.
This condition is called herniated or slipped disc.
The herniated disc puts pressure on the nerve root located close to it.
The affected nerve may either travel via neck to the arm and hand, or, from the back to the leg and foot.
When the nerve root is pinched, the terrible pain it causes can be described only by those who have experienced it.
The procedure The basic principle involved in back decompression is practically the same that is used in resetting the broken bones.
When a broken bone cannot be aligned, it is put under traction with the help of weights until it comes back into its original shape.
A herniated disc can be brought back into alignment using traction through the process of back decompression.
There are two methods of back decompression.
The first and the old method involves putting the patient on a special bed that is turned upside down.
It is like a yoga posture of standing upon one's head.
The cumulative weight of head, the shoulders and the muscles in the back pulls the herniated disc back into its normal position.
The new method of back decompression does not turn the patient upside down, but uses computerized traction techniques to pull the disc.
Since the spine is also pulled in the process, it allows the flow of more blood along with the oxygen into the injured areas thereby speeding the process of recovery from pain.
Back decompression is a non-surgical, non-invasive process to relieve back pain.
But it may involve some risk for certain types of patients.
It is important that adequate diagnosis through the use of x-rays or MRI should be performed before going for back decompression.