+- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com)
+-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? (/showthread.php?tid=54426)
Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - Grumpyguy - 05-06-2008
My doctor sent me to surgeon and he wants to do surgery immediately on my herniated disk.
Right now, it hurts so bad, putting on my socks for instance is almost unbearable.
But he said, the best he can promise is a 50/50 outcome.
Several local chiropractors offer something called "decompression therapy" which is actually supposed to "suck" in the leaking disc gel.
I've talked to 3 people who have had this done and they all say they are 90 to 95 percent better whereas the people who have had back surgery all say they still suffer a great amount of pain.
So who has had decompression therapy?
Re: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - Kiva - 05-06-2008
Never heard of it....however, from what i've read, studies where doctors are shown x-rays and asked to pick out which patient is in pain and which is not....they can't pick it out better than random chance. Basically: somebody can have a messed up back via x-ray or MRI, but that doesn't mean they're in pain...
i say if there is ample evidence, go for it. That, and look into acupuncture for pain management and look up that Dr. Sarno guy on amazon..
kiva
Re: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - Racer X - 05-06-2008
My uncle has struggled with extensive back pain since the 70s. He is well into the double digits for back surgeries. He ended up addicted to narcotics as a result.
Surgery should be a last resort.
Re: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - anonymouse1 - 05-06-2008
Surgery is last resort.
What have you tried so far. Aleve works miracles for me. Then stomach muscle exercises, once the pain moderated enough.
If you can find someone who does the Mackenzie technique, it was miraculous for me. Here's some background
http://www.londonphysiocentre.co.uk/technq.htm#MACKENZIE
Good luck!
Re: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - Black Landlord - 05-06-2008
[quote Grumpyguy]My doctor sent me to surgeon and he wants to do surgery immediately on my herniated disk.
Right now, it hurts so bad, putting on my socks for instance is almost unbearable.
But he said, the best he can promise is a 50/50 outcome.
Several local chiropractors offer something called "decompression therapy" which is actually supposed to "suck" in the leaking disc gel.
I've talked to 3 people who have had this done and they all say they are 90 to 95 percent better whereas the people who have had back surgery all say they still suffer a great amount of pain.
So who has had decompression therapy?
Research has shown that traction, which is what I think these chiroporactors are selling, has no effect. My belief is that the extruded matter actually needs to be physically mashed by movement to be broken down. MacKenzie works on this principal.
All that said, there's no way to offer you any sort of meaningful response with the sparse level of information provided (you didn't say how it started, how long it's been going on, what you've tried, how old you are and what other problems you have, or provide the MRI results if there was one).
Every injury is different and you could be comparing apples to oranges making any sort of conclusion based on your friends' experience.
Re: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - olnacl - 05-06-2008
I don't know if it was called decomprerssion therapy but when I had a herniated disk(s) and surgery was recommended by two physicians - but they didn't agree on the type of surgery - I toughed it out. It took a long time - I'm talking months, but after a while the pain diminished. While I can aggravate it by doing something stupid, like moving a 32" CRT TV set without help, for example, for the most part I'm pain free and it's been 30 years. I too have a very close friend who went the surgery route and never recovered.
Each person and their pain tolerance level is different and it's not for me to say, but I'd do the same thing again in a heartbeat. I'd try the decompression therapy and maybe even try acupuncture (it was of absolutely no value to me) and give it time.
Good luck!
Re: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - NewtonMP2100 - 05-06-2008
. . .again not a doctor. . .I would get a 2nd opinion. . .
I couldn't even bend down to tie my shoe lace. . .I did physical therapy which included massage, acupunture (with electricity), heat and doing the excercises that were given to me. . .and much better. . .for awhile there it was back to normal but I have skipped the exercises and rest above due to circumstances.
now I get some numbness. . .so will get back to the above. . .
just to clarify my main symptoms were pain radiating up the back of my left leg. . .especially bad when woke up in the morning. . .I was also told surgery is a last resort since success rate is not that high. . .
2nd opinion. . .
Re: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - Buzz - 05-06-2008
whatever you do, investigate quickly; the sooner the nerves are relieved, the better chance of recovery you have. get several opinions, and tests, if needed, and don't rush into surgery just to make the surgeon's next country club payment. however, if surgery is truly needed, don't waste anymore time. the 90-95% success plan sounds great. I'm in the post surgery, chronic pain club, but thirteen years later, I'm still more ambulatory than I was pre-surgery, though I get help w/ the shoes, occasionally w/ the socks, need a walker and liberal supply of pain meds (while keeping it as minimal as possible for pain management; with real chronic pain, there is a distinct line between pain management and addiction).
research is your friend, and time is your enemy... the trick is to optimize both to your best advantage. best of luck to you.
Re: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - Black Landlord - 05-06-2008
[quote Buzz]whatever you do, investigate quickly; the sooner the nerves are relieved, the better chance of recovery you have. get several opinions, and tests, if needed, and don't rush into surgery just to make the surgeon's next country club payment. however, if surgery is truly needed, don't waste anymore time. the 90-95% success plan sounds great. I'm in the post surgery, chronic pain club, but thirteen years later, I'm still more ambulatory than I was pre-surgery, though I get help w/ the shoes, occasionally w/ the socks, need a walker and liberal supply of pain meds (while keeping it as minimal as possible for pain management; with real chronic pain, there is a distinct line between pain management and addiction).
research is your friend, and time is your enemy... the trick is to optimize both to your best advantage. best of luck to you.
Neck injury?
Re: Herniated Disk: Anyone have luck with decompression therapy? - Robert M - 05-06-2008
Grumpy,
I echo the others. Surgery is an absolute last resort. However, I'd tread with caution when it comes to chiropractors.
My brother had severe back problems and went to what he thought was a reputable chiropractor. End result. The chiropractor made things worse to the point where my brother went for surgery despite hesitations. While slicing and dicing helped, he's never been the same since. And, he will never ever ever go to a chiropractor ever again under any circumstances.
He does speak highly of acupuncture. He did a tremendous amount of research and chose his practitioner with great care. Since it helps him, I decided to give it a try because I've had issues with my back as of late. And, it seems to help quite a bit. Even more so than physical therapy. Not sure how or why but since it's helping, I'm not questioning it.
Robert