Non surgical Spinal Decompression, anyone got it done before?

thehamo

Hey folks. After suffering with a bad back for over 2 years now I got an MRI and I have some problems with discs among other thigns. I was out with a Chiropractor in City west today and they had mentioned the spinal decompression to fix it.

Can anyone tell me if they have had it done before and any personal experiences? Ive done a lot of research on it and found some serious results but at the same time some bad reveiws.

any info appreciated!

Spook_ie

Dont know anything about it but all I will say is that I wouldnt undertake anything like this before I had seen a Neurosurgeon. OH had severe back pain for over 6 months and spent a fortune on physio & pain meds, finally after pushing GP got referred to a neurosurgeon who operated on a spinal cyst & disc herniation and OH is now great - everyones story is different, just explore all paths before imbarking on this decompression.

thehamo

Thanks for the reply.

I have been seeing an osteopath for the past while and finally wnt and got an MRI. I have herniated discs. Both the doctor and osteopath has told me not to get surgery as I am too young. Physio/physical therapy hasnt worked for me and i am at my wits end as to what to do. Ive been reading up on this procedure and the more I read the more im convinced its the way forward for me. But the skeptic in me is holding me back. I know a load of people who have had ops on their back and to no avail.

dozydelilah

i dont know anything about the decompression thingy. but im with you on everything else. as in im in the same boat. This week however iv made some progress. i got some cranialsacreal and acupuncter done to relax all the tenced up muscle. then went to the ostiopath again. he was really able to get to the root of the problem once the muscles were not spasming all aver the place. keep in touch whaat ever you decide.

_ariadne

sorry don't have an specific experience on the spinal decompression thing, just wanted to recommend (like a previous poster) that you talk to a neurosurgeon.
My GP thought I was too young for surgery too (I was 21) and recommended endless physical therapy/chiropractors etc, all of which did nothing.
Anyway I got the surgery and it was the best decision I have ever made, I'm glad I didn't waste another month (or year..) of my life in pain.
I know surgery isnt the best option for everyone, but its definatley something to consider, *especially* if you are young

thehamo

so thought I would update 6 weeks on.

Goin in to this place I could hardly walk, couldnt bend down, gettin out of bed in the morning was agony and couldnt even put my socks on properly. This was going on since October easily.

6 weeks on and I feel like a new man. Seriously, walking is not a bother to me now. Getting out of bed isnt a chore any more and I can actually put my clothes on without hastle. Before I couldnt stand for more than 30 minutes without having to sit down in agony. I was at a party the other night and I dont think i sat down once without a bother.

I finally got back out exercising and cycling. I havent tried running because im nervous as to what might happen. But I have to say, im at least 80% better. Now i do still feel a couple of twinges now and again but im still in the healing process. I still haev a few sessions to go but from what ive had up until now, I have to put my hand on my heart and say it works!!

flossie

thehamo wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

I have been seeing an osteopath for the past while and finally wnt and got an MRI. I have herniated discs. Both the doctor and osteopath has told me not to get surgery as I am too young. Physio/physical therapy hasnt worked for me and i am at my wits end as to what to do. Ive been reading up on this procedure and the more I read the more im convinced its the way forward for me. But the skeptic in me is holding me back. I know a load of people who have had ops on their back and to no avail.

That shouldn't be an issue thehamo, if you have exhausted all other avenues then it should be ocnsidered. In all fairness the GP isn't a specialist in that area, that is up to a surgeon to look at current options and decide if there is one suitable for you.

As i mentioned in pther posts, I am 28 and looks like surgery is going to be the next avenue after my next epidural. I guess I was lucky in that I have a GP whose sister underwent back surgery very successfully when she was 21 and it sorted her out, so she is very quick to refer bad cases of back issues to a surgeon for consulatation.

I know you are likely to hear lots of stories about negative surgeries, but what about the positives? I am of the opinion that if it doesn't work, then hey, i shouldn't be in any worse position than i am now.

macbird77

thehamo wrote: »

so thought I would update 6 weeks on.

Goin in to this place I could hardly walk, couldnt bend down, gettin out of bed in the morning was agony and couldnt even put my socks on properly. This was going on since October easily.

6 weeks on and I feel like a new man. Seriously, walking is not a bother to me now. Getting out of bed isnt a chore any more and I can actually put my clothes on without hastle. Before I couldnt stand for more than 30 minutes without having to sit down in agony. I was at a party the other night and I dont think i sat down once without a bother.

I finally got back out exercising and cycling. I havent tried running because im nervous as to what might happen. But I have to say, im at least 80% better. Now i do still feel a couple of twinges now and again but im still in the healing process. I still haev a few sessions to go but from what ive had up until now, I have to put my hand on my heart and say it works!!

Delighted to hear that you have relief from your back pain. I am currently waiting on MRI results which am sure will show up prolapsed disc damage which is causing the sciatic pain that I am experiencing. I had surgery 4 years ago for the same problem and I thought it worked but it's now back after only 4 years.
Am really keen to try the spinal decompression therapy (rather than surgery again), especially after seeing that it helped you. How many sessions did you need to have and how much does it cost? Also, will you have to keep getting sessions or once disc is "repaired" does that mean you don't have to go back?
Thanks in advance for your help.

daf71

Hi im just reading your post from 2010 and wondering what option you took, i had a lumber disectomy in 2009 and was told last september i have a recurring pro lapsed disc (L5), i have nerve damage down my left leg since the operation with the nerve pulsing in my calf muscle causing cramp/spasms as well as constant back pain ,im wondering did you find the spinal decompression helpful long term as this is my last option before i consider another op.

macbird77

Hi there,
It was actually in August 2011 that I wrote that post. The reason I make the distinction is that it was 4 years since I had the discectomy that my pain returned and I note that it was also 4 years since your operation that your pain returned.
I didn't go for the spinal decompression chamber after all, mainly due to the fact that I couldn't find many people that had done it. I ended up going for cranio-sacral therapy and I have no pain at all now. Cranio-sacral is non-invasive and has no side effects. The therapist uses her hands in a non-manipulative way on different parts of the body which frees up any internal "blockages" and it helps the cerebral fluid flow better through the body. They work on the head and neck area for a large part as the head controls the whole body so therefore most important. It took me about 5 or 6 sessions before I started to feel proper relief so you have to give it some time and you need to have the correct mindset as well. i.e. you shouldn't go to a session thinking that it won't work and that its rubbish. In the first instance I went weekly and then I gradually reduced the session to fortnightly and then monthly. I now go every 6-8 weeks. Unfortunately, people like us with disc damage will have it for life so we need to keep it in check and learn to know when things start to feel different and act then rather than let it go so bad that we need painkillers because we cannot function. I cannot recommend my therapist as she only takes clients by word of mouth. Best of luck and hope you find some relief soon. Surgery should be your LAST option.

daf71

Thanks for your reply and advice, im attending acupuncture every two weeks since september which is helping but i just seem to come to a point where im not improving i will definitely check out cranio-sacral therapy.thanks again

fanta2009

Hi, Im looking into this spinal decompression as well for a bulged disc with these guys in Cork http://www.decompression-ireland.ie/ , Does any one know how much a session costs?

Luke Creed

hello i have been suffering back pain for 5 years, i had steroidal injections on my facet joints and on my sciatic nerve but it only provided temporary relief.
i have tried Chiropractors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, at least 8 different physios, 2 neurosurgeons and obviously 1 pain management guy who gave me the useless injections.
i have zero quality of life have barely been outside the past 3 months, GP just keeps upping meds despite me saying they aren't working, now i honestly just want it to end, im a shadow of who i used to be. & am clutching at straws in the hope someone can help, but feels and seems as if its too late in the day, im 27 this started when i was 22, feel as though im missing the prime of my life, even my family have all but given up it feels, but to be fair its been going on so long what should i expect?

LegacyUser

Its been a long time - Just wondering how you're doing now Luke? ☺️
quote="Luke Creed;97075995"]hello i have been suffering back pain for 5 years, i had steroidal injections on my facet joints and on my sciatic nerve but it only provided temporary relief.
i have tried Chiropractors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, at least 8 different physios, 2 neurosurgeons and obviously 1 pain management guy who gave me the useless injections.
i have zero quality of life have barely been outside the past 3 months, GP just keeps upping meds despite me saying they aren't working, now i honestly just want it to end, im a shadow of who i used to be. & am clutching at straws in the hope someone can help, but feels and seems as if its too late in the day, im 27 this started when i was 22, feel as though im missing the prime of my life, even my family have all but given up it feels, but to be fair its been going on so long what should i expect?[/quote]