Physical Therapy: A sector of rehabilitative health that uses exercises and equipment specifically designed to aid patients in regaining or improving their physical abilities.
Laminectomy: A type of spinal surgery, either cervical, thoracic or lumbar, used to relieve stress/compression on the spinal cord. The surgeon will remove the lamina. The lamina is part of the bone that forms the vertebral arch in the spine. Your doctor may also remove any bone spurs that may be present.
Spinal Fusion: A major surgery that performs a fusing of two or more vertebrae in the spine. The goal of a spinal fusion surgery is to join these vertebrae to prevent them from moving independently of each other.
Chiropractic: Chiropractic is a form of healthcare that concentrates on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic services are commonly utilized by patients seeking relief for neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a comprehensive medical protocol which focuses on correcting imbalances of energy in the body. From its inception in China more than 2,500 years ago, acupuncture has been used traditionally to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as well as to improve a person’s general health.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression: The therapy itself works to stretch/traction the spine by using a decompression table or other similar device, in order to create negative pressure and space for the disc fluid to move back into place.
Massage therapy: Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of stabilizing those tissues. Massage therapy consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body.
Discectomy: A discectomy is a surgery to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the spine. The surgery can be performed in an open or minimally invasive technique. Even with a minimally invasive surgery technique, the disc is permanently compromised, as well, as other supportive structures of the spine.
Epidural Injections: A steroid injection includes both a corticosteroid (e.g., triamcinolone, methyl-prednisolone, dexamethasone) and an anesthetic numbing agent (e.g., lidocaine or bupivacaine). A very common method of treating inflammation associated with low back or neck related (despite not being FDA-Approved for this type of use) pain.
Facet Block: A facet joint block is an injection of local anesthetic (numbing medicine) into one or more of the small joints located along the side of each vertebrae on both sides of the spine in the lower part of the back. Multiple injections may be performed, depending upon how many joints are involved.
Pain Medications: The first medication of choice for most people with spinal pain is an over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). Opioids, which are highly addictive, would be the next step. Commonly prescribed opioids would be Codeine, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Tramadol, and Oxycodone.