Non-surgical Spinal Decompression

f you’ve been experiencing long-lasting back pain spinal decompression may be the right solution for you.

What Is Non-surgical Spinal Decompression?

According to WebMd, non-surgical spinal decompression is a therapy that consists of “motorized traction that may help relieve back pain”.  It works by gently stretching the spine forcing changes in its position. It helps relieve pressure from the spinal disks. The spinal disks are “gel-like” cushions between the bones in your spine. It is particularly helpful when it comes to herniated disks and pinched nerves. It also helps promote the movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disks which help start the healing process.

 

Is Spinal decompression right for me?

If you’ve been experiencing long-lasting back pain this may be the right solution for you. You may be suffering from compression of the spine. This puts excessive pressure on the nerves and disks.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is used to treat the following:

• Back pain, neck pain or sciatica. This pain and weakness often come also with a tingling sensation and expand down the leg.
• Herniated disks or degenerative disk disease
• Facet syndrome or worn spinal joints
• Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots

In any case, a specialist should review your case to establish the need, safety, and effectiveness of non-surgical spinal decompression in your case. The chiropractor will have to establish if it will need to be used and with which other therapies such as the following it should be combined:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Physical therapy
• Exercise
• Acupuncture

Is spinal decompression painful?

One of the most common questions we get is “does spinal decompression hurt”? It is very important that the person practicing this type of therapy is certified and prepared to do so.

In most cases, this type of therapy doesn’t hurt. It relieves pain. The majority of patients report no pain and tend to relax and unwind during the therapy. It is, after all, a very safe and gentle therapy.

A small percentage of patients may report discomfort during the therapy, but it’s usually related to the amount of pressure and improper position on the decompression table and can be solved by repositioning the patient or increasing and reducing the amount of pressure. Throughout the whole process, we ensure we are communicating with you so that we can adjust and avoid any discomfort.

 

Spinal decompression therapy risks

Non-surgical decompression has no known risks and is FDA approved.

However, your chiropractor will determine if you are an eligible candidate as patients with certain illnesses may not qualify. If you suffer from any of this, you may not be eligible or will have to be evaluated in more depth to ensure you are a good candidate:

• Osteoporosis
• Prior back surgery
• If you have metal rods or pieces in spine or neck
• Pregnant
• Spinal fusion
• Artificial disc or implants
• Broken vertebrae
• Spinal stenosis
• Infection of the spine
• Spine tumor
• Taking blood thinners
• Ankylosing spondylitis

 

How is it done?

With your clothes on, the doctor fits a harness around your pelvis and another around your trunk. You will have to lie face down or face up on a computer-controlled table operated by a specialist.

The treatment may last about half an hour. It’s normal to go through 20 to 28 treatments over a period of 5 to 7 weeks. It is a bit lengthy but it tends to prove successful.

Prior to or after the therapy, it’s common to receive some of these additional treatments:

• Electrical stimulation (electric current that causes certain muscles to contract)
• Ultrasound (the use of sound waves to generate heat and promote healing)
• Heat or cold therapy

 

Does spinal decompression work

Spinal decompression is an FDA approved a treatment that has been used for many years and proven to work in the relief of pain and pressure of the disks. When treated with this technique bulging or herniated disks may retract taking the pressure off nerves and other parts of your spine.

For most people, this treatment does works. If it’s not working for you, please let your chiropractor know so they can investigate why and see if treatment needs to be adjusted or changed.

 

Pros and cons of spinal decompression

There are different pros and cons to this type of treatment. However, in general, you will find that there are more positive points than negative.

Pros

• No drugs are involved
• No surgery
• Painless
• Safe
• Addresses underlying structural problem causing pain
• Fewer muscle spasms
• Reduces pain levels

Cons

• Not all insurances cover the full procedure. Ask your chiropractor to see contact your insurance and check for you.
• Takes several sessions to be 100% successful

 

Can you perform spinal decompression by hanging?

Although hanging may relieve back pain and improve flexibility it is a method that is not supervised or as accurate as of the one controlled on the table. When at the table, the process is managed and supervised by a chiropractor who will customize your treatment. When hanging, you are the one in charge of the process. Plus, not every person can do it. We recommend you ask your doctor or chiropractor before buying a hanging device for spinal decompression at home.

 

Contact

Spinal decompression is one of our specialties. Our team is well trained in this technique. If you feel this may be what you were looking for, then don’t hesitate to call us.

The Spine and Rehab Centers team thanks you for taking your time in sending us these questions. We want to make sure we continue to provide you with thoughtful and valuable information. So, please continue to send them our way and we will do our best to continue to respond.

If you have any additional questions about our services, you may contact us by clicking here. Our phone number is 407-802-4476 and our offices are in Lake Mary and Lee Vista. You may find directions on how to get there here. And for more information on our services, please don’t hesitate to visit our website.