Who Can Benefit From Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non surgical procedure that involves the use of motorized traction devices to gently stretch targeted areas of the spine. Spinal decompression therapy uses a specialized computer-controlled table where the patient is laying face up fully clothed. Two harnesses are used to stabilize the patient on the table. Data specific to your condition is then introduced into the computer that triggers the gentle stretch of your spine where required.

The principle behind spinal decompression therapy is very simple: the discs in your spine are made of soft and compressible tissue and are found between two vertebrae. During the stretching of your spine, there is a negative pressure created that allows any herniated disc material to be pulled back into the disc. In addition, the same pressure enhances the supply of water, nutrients, and oxygen into the discs promoting the healing process.

Unlike simple traction, spinal decompression therapy isolates and targets specific areas of the spine. Moreover, it alternates stretching and relaxation stages so that the body remains relaxed and does not resist stretching. This enhances the effectiveness of the treatment.

Who can benefit from this therapy? Patients suffering from the following conditions may use spinal decompression therapy to alleviate pain and heal their spinal discs.

• Degenerative Disc Disease – Although it is referred to as such, the degenerative disc disease is not in fact a disease. It actually describes what normally happens with the spinal discs as people grow old. These changes show that the soft discs between the bones deteriorate with age sometimes throughout the spine, but most of the times in the lumber and cervical regions of the spine causing lower back pain and neck pain.
• Herniated or Bulging Discs – The discs keep the spine flexible. When the discs are damaged by certain activities or injuries, the spinal disc material breaks open or bulges, resulting in a herniated disc and the associated back pain. The pain is mainly caused by the herniated disc pressing on nerve rots. Sometimes, herniated discs may also cause weakness or numbness of the affected area.  Spinal decompression therapy allows the disc material to be absorbed back inside the disc and start healing.
• Sciatica – Sciatica is the pain that affects the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is a very large nerve that extends from the lower back down the back of each leg. The symptoms of sciatica incorporate pain in the rear that becomes worse when sitting, burning feeling down the leg, tingling down the leg, difficulty of moving the leg or foot, constant pain on one side of the rear, or shooting pain that causes standing up to be terribly difficult.
• Posterior Facet Syndrome – Although it is not a common cause of back pain, the posterior facet syndrome is very painful when occurring. The posterior facet syndrome is usually chronic in nature and often associated with degenerative disc disease. Spinal decompression therapy works well for patients suffering from posterior facet syndrome.
• Radiculopathy – Radiculopathy can affect any part of the spine and is caused by a compressed nerve. Nerve compression triggers not only severe pain, but also numbness, weakness, or tingling along the course of the nerve. It usually affects the lumbar and cervical area and can be treated using spinal decompression therapy.

If you suffer from any of these conditions, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if spinal decompression therapy can be used to treat your specific condition. Start your road to recovery by booking an appointment with Chiro-Med Rehab Centre today.