Spinal Decompression Or Back Surgery, Which Is A Better Option? Considering a back surgery in NYC?

Spinal Decompression Or Back Surgery, Which Is A Better Option?

Comments by NYC Chiropractor Dr.Steven Shoshany D.C.,C.C.E.P. at the end of the article www.drshoshany.com

Credits| Author: Dr. Ronald Fielden with Dr. George Best
by Dr. Michael Golab with Dr. George Best

For people with severe disc-related back pain and sciatica, long-term relief can be hard to come by and the treatment options often come down to spinal decompression or back surgery. Each treatment option has its pros and cons, but in the end, the best option will depend on a variety of factors that are unique to each case.

There are some misconceptions about both spinal decompression and surgery that can lead to confusion when attempting to determine the best treatment option, especially when pain or medication may be disrupting the ability to think clearly. The following information will help to dispel some of the misconceptions regarding these forms of treatment and will assist pain sufferers in selecting which option is best for their circumstances.

Although spinal decompression is a kind of traction, the effects of spinal decompression vary considerably from those of regular traction. True spinal decompression systems utilize computer controlled motors that can “fool” the muscles along the spine into staying relaxed during the treatment session. This allows for a suction effect inside the spinal disc being treated, which pulls bulging disc material back into the disc and also pulls in fluid and nutrients that help the disc to recover and heal. Since ordinary traction machines must contend with muscular resistance, their effects on the discs are much less and traction typically does not provide long-term improvements in disc health, nor lasting elimination of pain.

Although spinal decompression is extremely effective in the vast majority of disc-pain cases, it does not work in every case, and their are situations in which it cannot be safely applied. From my experience in my San Antonio Spinal Decompression office, I have found that decompression is not usually effective in cases of large disc extrusions (when large amounts of the inner gel of the disc breach the disc wall). In addition, spinal decompression cannot be safely used when there is substantial ligamentous instability in the spine because the stretching effect of the decompression would tend to make such instability worse. In cases where spinal decompression is not appropriate, surgery is indicated as really the only option for getting long term relief for the patient.

Although it may be the best option in a small number of disc-pain cases, back surgery is far from being an ideal solution. Patients sometimes have the impression that a back surgery will completely solve their back pain once and for all, but this is rarely the case. In fact, one of the leading predictors that someone will eventually need back surgery in the future is having had back surgery in the past. Although aggressive surgical techniques that involve removing a problematic disc will guarantee that a patient will not have any trouble with that particular disc again, these surgeries create other problems that over time can make things even worse than the original problem.

Post-surgical scar tissue and increased wear and tear on adjacent discs can conspire to create new areas of spinal cord and/or spinal nerve compression months or years after spinal surgery. Due to the high probability of these post-surgical complications, it is my opinion that surgery should always be considered a last option when all other treatments have either failed or cannot be used due to existing contraindications.

I have always told patients that surgery should be a last resort when all non-surgical methods have failed.
To learn more about spinal decompression in NYC visit www.drshoshany.com or
www.livingwellnewyork.com

Is "Decompression" therapy appropriate for my "moderately large L5-S1 central herniation which is "significantly distorting the Thecal Sac"?

Recent herniated disc Question:

herniated disc treatment in Manhattan-www.drshoshany.com
L5-S1 MRI T1 Axial view

Is "Decompression" therapy appropriate for my "moderately large L5-S1 central herniation which is "significantly distorting the Thecal Sac"?

My herniation is actually central and just slightly para-central to my left, with about 90% low-back pain and about 10% left upper-thigh/leg pain... and it likely happened (or was grossly exacerbated) about 8 months ago when I also fractured my left Pelvis in a bicycle accident where I got thrown over the handlebars by a pot-hole. I am 50 years old, female with mild osteoporosis, and also have a "broad-based concentric bulge" at L4-L5 and a few bulging discs in my neck with some mild foraminal encroachment. I have had some bad low-back pain on and off for about 20 years, but since I have seven children I have always dismissed it as back-strain, but the point is that my herniation may have been extant for years, but I do know that it got magnitudes of intensity worse after I fractured my Pelvis. My pelvis was fractured with several networks of "comminuted" (crushed or shattered) fractures but was not 'displaced' so I didnt get pelvic surgery, and then it just took a long time to realize that my ongoing severe low back pain is probably not all from the pelvic fracture.

Since I just got diagnosed by MRI a few weeks ago by my primary care doctor, I am now waiting for an appointment with a Neurologist, so I am researching options to prepare questions. I promise that I will get proper personal guidance from an MD before actually doing anything based on your response, I just want to ask the right questions and best use the time I will have in my upcoming appointments. Thank you very much for your time and consideration!

Answer from Herniated disc doctor NYC

If I had to pick my favorite type of disc herniation to treat it would be the central disc herniation.
I primarily use the DRX 9000 spinal decompression system in my Manhattan Herniated disc treatment facility.
We see excellent results with most disc herniations when all other methods have produced little to no results.
The reason is that the disc is a avascular structure (poor blood supply) and once injured it rapidly degenerates.
The decompression allows pressure to come off the affected spinal nerve and allows disc to reabsorb vital fluid and increase in disc height.
I would also find a facility that offers cold laser therapy,(look into a class four laser) this help with tissue healing.
Good luck,
Look into spinal decompression on the DRX 9000
Spinal decompression for herniated disc in Manhattan visit www.livingwellnewyork.com

Low Back pain sufferers in New York City (NYC)

Low Back Pain Sufferers In New York City Finding New Option With Dr. Steven Shoshany Through The Use of Spinal Decompression with the DRX 9000

Local New York City Residents Benefiting From Dr. Shoshany's Non-Surgical Solutions To Back Pain Caused By Herniated Discs,Sciatica,Spinal Stenosis,Degenerative Disc Disease,Bulging Discs, =and Spinal Arthritis since introducing non-surgical spinal decompression to Manhattan and treating over 1000 patients over the last 7 years, our clinic has boasted great success with patients who have been suffering from chronic lower back and leg pain for years and are finally now getting better.

So many patients come to me explaining that they have tried medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care and steroid shots - all with little or no results.


I have had patients come to me suffering with back pain for 30 years or more. People who have been told by their primary doctors, neurologists, and orthopedic surgeons that there is nothing left that they can do for them. These are people who have come to us with little or no hope, and have been pleasantly surprised by their outcomes
By decompressing the spine, we can help the disc heal, which in turn will eliminate pain and pressure in the lower back and leg.

Patients suffering from spinal related conditions such as herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, sciatica, chronic lower back pain, and spinal stenosis are soon discovering the benefits of non surgical spinal decompression, and the DRX 9000.

Spinal decompression in NYC-visit www.drshoshany.com

Most people suffering with back pain that is due to disc compression issues try a variety of treatments - from chiropractic care, physical therapy, epidural injections, and eventually surgery. However, for many patients the conservative approach taken has been less than hopeful.

"I can't tell you how many patients come to me explaining that they have tried medications, physical therapy, water therapy, chiropractic care and steroid shots - all with little or no results. It's disheartening for these people."

And now there is a new answer. Since 2002, non-surgical spinal decompression has been helping hundreds of back and leg pain sufferers improve their conditions, and avoid invasive procedures such as back surgery. In my previous Spinal Decompression NYC posts I wrote about the current guidelines set by the American Pain society and how back surgery is not recommended for most back pain and herniated disc cases.
If you live or work in New York City, NYC make it a point to learn more about this treatment, It is non-invasive and provides excellent results without drugs or surgery.



Non surgical spinal decompression utilizes the premise of decompressing injured discs of the lower back that are causing pressure onto nearby structures of the back, including nerves that create pressure.

"By decompressing the spine, we can help the disc heal, which in turn will elimiate pain and pressure in the lower back and leg."
End Sciatica pain today!
Call the herniated disc specialists in Manhattan,NYC (212) 645-8151 or visit us online at www.drshoshany.com