Decompression
Therapy
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Spinal Decompression Therapy
Spinal decompression therapy is a medical technology that can be utilized to treat the following specific conditions: low back pain, neck pain, disc bulge, disc herniation, sciatica, referred arm pain, degenerative disc disease, spinal facet syndrome, spinal stenosis, spinal/vertebral osteoarthritis, disc extrusions and failed back and neck surgeries.
The treatment works by intermittently stretching and relaxing the spinal column. This creates a vacuum of negative pressure within the disc which allows the disc to be "pulled back in," taking the pressure off the nerve. The pressure in a spinal disc can be as high as +180 mm of mercury during many common daily activities. Spinal decompression therapy treatment is able to reduce the pressure in the disc down to -200 mm of mercury, allowing fluids and nutrients to re-enter the disc, thus reducing swelling and relieving the pressure on irritated or pinched nerves. This also re-hydrates the disc essentially "rejuvenating" it.
MRI Exam of Lumbar Disc Before and After Spinal Decompression Therapy
While results may vary the images of the MRI on the right clearly indicate that the disc was retracted back into a healthy normal position.
The patient had complete resolution of their back pain and sciatica as the nerve was no longer compressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The majority of patients report no ill side effects from Spinal Decompression. Rarely, patients may have some muscle spasm in the surrounding muscles; however, we end your session by providing electric muscle stimulation and compressed ice to reduce inflammation and soreness. There are a few patients for whom this treatment would be contra-indicated. Patients who have the follwoing conditions such as spinal tumors, spinal fractures, advanced osteoporosis, pregnancy, or certain diseases that compromise the strength of the spine and discs should not be considetred for Spinal Decompression Therapy.
Traction devices can stretch the spine, but it does not have the ability to reduce intra-disc pressure and decompress the discs as Spinal Decompression Therapy can. Studies have shown that Spinal decompression therapy can reduce intra-disc pressure up to -200 mm of mercury, allowing nutrients to flow back into the disc and the body's natural fibroblastic response to heal the injury and re-hydrate the disc. At best traction and inversion tables can lower the intra-disc pressure from +90 to +30 mm of mercury. Traction cannot target a specific disc as Spinal Decompression Therapy can and traction causes painful muscle spasms. Spinal decompression therapy avoids this by pulling on a logarithmic curve.
The average number of sessions for good results is one session a day Monday-Friday for approximately 21-28 days.
Whether the pain is in the neck, upper back, or lower back Spinal Decompression Therapy can be of benefit.
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