So you may be asking yourself… what is spinal decompression? Non Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy involves gently stretching the spine, using a traction table or similar motorized device, with the goal of relieving back pain and/or leg pain or even neck pain.
In nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy, the spine is gently stretched and relaxed intermittently in a controlled manner. This process creates a negative intradiscal pressure (pressure within the disc itself). Non Surgical Spinal Decompression is great non invasive therapy for treating the following, but not limited to:
- Bulging or Herniated Discs – Disc problems are commonly associated with low back pain that shoots down the legs. The amount of disc bulging or herniation will determine if your condition will respond to a more conservative care or if we need to refer you to other medical professionals as surgery may be needed. Spinal decompression has proven to be successful in treating and helping disc-related problems. Disc bulges do not show up on x-ray, an MRI would be needed to diagnosis the severity of this condition. However, we can determine if you have disc-related back pain with our examination. Non surgical spinal decompression gently pulls the herniated or bulging disc material back into the disc.
- Natural Spine Wellness– Promotes the passage of healing nutrients, into the disc and fosters a better healing environment.
- Sciatica – Sciatica is that sharp and shooting pain that can start in your back, then shoots down into your gluteus muscles and down the back of your leg. This pain indicates that the sciatic nerve is being irritated or compromised due to pressure from a disc issue, a spinal misalignment, or inflammation from the hip rotator muscles. Non surgical spinal decompression therapy in addition with a planned chiropractic care is an excellent non-surgical, effective option in alleviating sciatica.
- Facet Syndrome – The joints at the back of the vertebra are called facet joints and they can become worn and irritated as you age. Pain that stems from these joints, are referred to as Facet Syndrome. Typically, most common treatment for this involves facet joint injections and steroids, but with non surgical spinal decompression, along with chiropractic care has been shown to deliver great results, without the need of steroids and injections.
- Spinal Stenosis – Spinal stenosis occurs when one or more bony openings (foramina) within the spine begins to narrow and reduces space for the nerves. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves within the spine. It most commonly occurs in the neck and lower back, often caused by age-related wear and tear. Depending on the location and how much the narrowing occurs, the spinal nerve or cord would be come compressed, causing tingling, pain, numbness and/or weakness. Unfortunately, spinal stenosis does not go away, and left untreated, it can become a surgical procedure. Utilizing decompression, along with a planned chiropractic treatment plan is a great non surgical alternative to improve the symptoms and increase range of motion.
Who are NOT candidates for our non surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy?
During our examination, we will also evaluate and determine only those patients that we believe would be a good candidate for spinal decompression. Patients who are or have the following would not be a good candidate:
- Pregnant women
- Patients with broken vertebrae
- Patients who have had spinal fusion (for less than 1 year)
- Patients who have an artificial disc, or other implants, in their spine
- Patients with failed back surgery
- Anyone who has had multiple surgeries without recovery (pain improvement)
Patients with any of the following conditions are also not good candidates:
- Osteoporosis, or osteopenia
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal stenosis
- Spinal infection
- Spinal tumor
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Any condition that may compromise the integrity of the spine
Any condition requiring the patient to take blood thinner medication