Lumbar decompression is a technique that can help relieve the symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling and weakness that people feel in their lower backs, buttocks, legs and feet. These issues are especially common in the region of the lumbar spine because the lower back is very flexible and is responsible for supporting a large amount of weight, making the lower back prone to damage. To learn about the causes of this compression and the various treatments available, read the following article.

Causes of lumbar spine compression

Lumbar decompression becomes necessary when the spinal nerves in the lumbar spine are compressed. An example of compression-related symptoms is sciatica, which describes the radiculopathic pain and tingling that present when the sciatic nerve is pinched. Sciatica can be caused by a number of conditions, the most common of which are herniated or bulging discs, bone spurs and spondylolisthesis.

In these instances, bone, disc material or other tissues extrude into the spinal canal and pinch the sciatic nerve, which travels from the lower back to the buttocks, down each leg and to the bottom of each foot. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, so pain traveling along this nerve can be quite debilitating.

Nonsurgical spinal decompression

Nonsurgical lumbar decompression is the practice of using negative intradiscal pressure to pull extruded disc or bone material back into place. A motorized traction device is strapped to the neck or back, and a vacuum effect stretches vertebrae so that shifted or displaced material can return to its natural position, thereby releasing neural decompression. These individual treatments generally take about 45 minutes each, and a patient may require anywhere from 15 to 40 sessions over the course of several months. Most patients wear back braces between back decompression sessions.

Lumbar decompression surgeries

If you have chronic lumbar spine pain and have tried conservative treatments such as pain medication, steroid injections, physical therapy, massage or nonsurgical spinal decompression to no avail, you may be ready to consider a spine operation. However, traditional open spine surgeries generally require hospitalization and a lengthy recovery period.

If you’re looking for safer and effective alternatives to traditional open spine surgeries that have a shorter recovery period,^ USA Spine Care may be able to help. Our lumbar decompression procedures have helped more than 75,000 patients just like you find relief from back pain. Contact us today so we guide you on your journey to wellness.

By using a less than 1-inch incision that is muscle-sparing, our highly skilled surgeons are able to decompress your lower back, allowing you to feel relief from your chronic symptoms. Reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for a free MRI review* to determine if you are a potential candidate for our outpatient procedures that can help get you back to the activities you love.