Spinal decompression, a type therapy, stretches the spine to ease back and leg pain. Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is performed using a traction table, or similar device.
What is Spinal Decompression and how can it help you?
The same principles as spinal decompression are used by chiropractors, therapists, and other health professionals. The aim is to relieve back discomfort and provide faster healing for bulging, herniated, or degenerating discs.
Spinal decompression gently stretches the spine and releases pressure from the spinal disks. The discs that are being stretched create a vacuum. Negative pressure can make herniated or bulging discs worse. This helps to accelerate the recovery process by allowing healing nutrients to reach discs.
During spinal compression, the patient is strapped in a harness around his pelvis and one around his abdomen. The doctor will adjust the FDA approved computer system for you. You lie on a bed. Treatments can take anywhere from 30-45 minutes. Treatments are typically daily for the first two week, then three times per week for the following two weeks. For the second and third weeks, two treatments are required. Two treatments per week are recommended for the final two weeks.
What can Spinal Decompression treat?
Doctors have used spinal decompression to treat bulging discs, herniated discs and degenerative discs. It has also been used as a nonsurgical option for pain in the back and neck, sciatica, worn spine joints, and damaged or diseased spinal roots.
If you are looking for an alternative to medication or surgery, spinal decompression might be a good option. You can combine it with other treatments to get the best results. Before you decide to undergo spinal decompression therapy, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor. Costs for this treatment vary depending on the individual. To confirm if your insurance covers this alternative treatment, you should check with your provider.
Ways that Decompression Therapy can Help Your Spine
You should consider spinal decompression therapy, before you cancel surgery or think you are doomed for lumbar pain forever. Although you can request spinal decompression therapy at any time your doctor feels it appropriate, this nonsurgical treatment is often used by patients who haven’t received the desired results from other treatments.
People with low back pain often visit Northeast Spine and Sports Medicine after their doctor has recommended decompression therapy. These patients can often avoid surgery and receive long-lasting relief from their back or nerve pain.
Although this sounds promising, you may still be skeptical about spinal decompression. It’s OK to be skeptical. We are here to help you make informed decisions. Find out how decompression therapy may help your spine.
Spinal Decompression Can Help Reduce Nerve Pressure
Your spine will be gently moved as you lay down on a decompression bed. This allows you to release the pressure on your spine that causes it to move out of alignment. What does that all mean? In many cases, putting pressure on the spinal discs of your spine can help reduce pain and inflammation.
You may feel sharp, shooting pains when misaligned disks compress nerves. These sensations can extend from your back to the hips, legs, legs, feet, and thighs. Also, you may feel tingling, numbness or burning sensations. This can be avoided by moving herniated and bulging discs from near nerves.
Spinal Surgery can be Prevented with Decompression Therapy
Many people turn to therapeutic injections for relief when chiropractic care and physical therapy fail. Some patients fear that these injections won’t provide lasting relief. Spinal decompression therapy is a method that can be used to delay or prevent the need for spinal surgery. Many patients are shocked at the results of this non-surgical treatment for lower back pain. Patients may feel relief even after one session. However, ongoing care is often required to achieve the best results. Decompression therapy is a gentle stretching of your spine that allows herniated disks to slip back into their proper positions. These changes may be accepted by your body, and you might not need surgery.
You can get your spine to heal from chronic pain with decompression therapy
Although some treatments can only treat acute flare-ups or asymptomatic pain, spinal decompression can also address chronic pain. This is because spinal decompression addresses the root cause of your discomfort, not just the symptoms. This will allow your body to heal without any surgery or other invasive procedures.
Bulging discs can be shortened, which makes it easier for your body to deliver oxygen and other nutrients to the spinal area. These nutrients are essential for your body to repair damaged nerves, muscles, and reduce inflammation. Inflammation is often the cause of pain in the spine. So, decreasing inflammation can also help to reduce symptoms from a misaligned spinal column.
Different conditions are treated by spinal decompression
Decompression therapy is typically performed on patients suffering from pain in the low-to mid back. But, this procedure is not limited to any particular condition. These conditions are treated with spinal decompression.
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated and bulging discs
- Infected or injured nerves in spine
- Posterior facet syndrome
If you aren’t sure if you have one or more of these conditions, we can conduct a comprehensive physical exam. This may include digital imaging.
The decompression therapy can provide quick relief
The treatment lasts approximately 45 minutes. Spinal decompression is not known to cause pain or discomfort. Many people notice a decrease in pain after just one treatment. However, it is possible to need additional appointments to achieve the best results. This is because discs can return to their favorite spots even though it’s not good for your spine.
Multiple spinal decompression sessions may help your spine retain its proper position. This can provide long-term relief for the constant pain that has plagued you. You may need to see us several times per week for treatment. This allows us to provide maximum healing for your spine.
Spinal Decompression Can Help Retract Herniated Disks
Herniated disks can be very difficult to treat. Your body may prefer the location of discs that have been moved. Even though it may cause discomfort, your body becomes used to the disc’s new position, so it can be challenging to put them back in their proper place. Many doctors fail to notice discs moving back to their correct positions after they have performed follow-up care.
Decompression of the spine gently aids herniated discs, such as those with bulging discs, to return to their original locations for long-term relief. Decompression therapy might help your discs to stay put and not migrate out of their designated spots.
Decompression Therapy gently stretch your spine
Compression of the spine can make it difficult to move parts back to their proper places. Decompression therapy can be used to stretch your spine and expand the area surrounding it temporarily so that discs may return to their original positions. You can also increase fluid circulation to areas that have been previously restricted so your body can supply nutrients to diseased or damaged parts of your spine.
While you lie on a flat table, spinal decompression therapy can be done. We may be able to place a pillow underneath your knees in some cases to alleviate pressure and help you relax. While you rest, a harness is attached to your machine. Once we have entered your information, the machine can work for up to 45 minutes per session. You may also be offered additional treatments like cold laser therapy or electric stimulation.
Before you decide to do spinal decompression, here are some things to consider
Decompression therapy can be used as a non-surgical treatment for back pain. Although some patients see immediate relief, others experience long-lasting pain relief. Please let us know if your back has been reconstructed in the past, or if there are any implants. Patients who have suffered from aneurysms, tumors or fractures of their vertebrae may wish to avoid spinal decompression therapy.
While spinal decompression can be very safe, some patients may experience rare side effects. Side effects can include muscle spasms, increased pain, or tingling. By giving us detailed information about your condition and treatment plans, you can help avoid side effects. We can also talk to your other doctors and health care providers in order to have complete information about you.
Also, we conduct an extensive exam before recommending or prescribing decompression therapy at Northeast Spine and Sports Medicine. This will help us decide if spinal decompression can be a good option for your pain.
