Learn About Spinal Decompression Therapy

What is Spinal Decompression Therapy:

Non-surgical Spinal Decompression is a revolutionary new technology used primarily to treat herniated discs in the neck and low back.  Spinal Decompression Therapy is designed to take the pressure off the herniated disc and compressed nerves by slowly and gently stretching the spine at a certain angle followed by cycles of partial relaxation.  This pattern of distraction and relaxation creates a “vacuum effect” or negative intra-discal pressure.

The negative pressure may induce the retraction of the herniated or bulging disc back into the inside of the disc taking pressure off of the nerve.  The cycle of decompression and partial relaxation, over a series of visits, promotes diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disc.  The nutrients enable the torn and degenerated disc fibers to begin to heal.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is very effective at treating herniated discs, bulging discs, pinched nerves, sciatica radiating arm pain, degenerative disc disease, leg pain, and facet syndrome.  Proper patient selection is imperative and when combined with the proper core stabilization program, patient outcomes improve.

Spinal Decompression Can Help With:

• Herniated Disc
• Lower Back Pain
• Sciatica
• Disc & Annular tears
• Bulging Discs
• Spinal Stenosis 
• Neck Pain
• Numbness & Tingling
• Neuralgia
• Pinched Nerve
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Headaches

PHASE I: Pain-Relief & Healing Begins

Spinal Decompression Therapy is performed on a specially designed table in either a face up or face down position. Clinical consideration and your comfort are used in deciding which position will be best for you. We may begin in one position but in later sessions it may be necessary to change positions. You will remain fully dressed during the treatment though we recommend wearing loose fitting clothes, and removal of you belt and objects from your pockets.

You will be comfortably positioned on the table and fitted with a wrap-around harness. This harness is what allows the unloading of the spine and discs by the spinal decompression table. Your position on the table, the harness, and angle of the gentle distraction allows for accurate and focused treatment to the affected disc. Once comfortable on the spinal decompression table, the computer controlled device is programmed to deliver a gentle stretching force to the spine. This force is delivered directly to the harness system. The Spinal Decompression Therapy system applies the gentle force then releases it approximately every minute throughout the session. The total treatment time is usually less than 18 minutes and often just 10 minutes initially. Most patients report simply feeling a subtle and gentle stretching at their lower back or around their hips. Since Spinal Decompression Therapy is a comfort-based procedure, patients usually report a sense of relief and relaxation during the session. Many patients even fall to sleep.

Healing The Spinal Discs

The gentle stretching and relaxing of the spine promotes the healing process to occur in the injured discs. In the simplest of terms, think of the disc as a jelly donut.  When you have a herniated disc the jelly portion called the nucleus pulposus has broken through to the outer portion of the disc or the outside of jelly donut.  Once the herniation occurs in spinal disc the nerves in the surrounding area become irrritated and inflamed.  This nerve inflammation is what causes you to have shooting pain down your leg or arm.  During Spinal Decompression Therapy, the treatment reverses this process and helps promote nutrient intake and flush the inflammation out of the area allowing the disc to heal.  In many cases the hernation portion (jelly portion) will actually get sucked back into the disc reversing the problem.  Decompression of the spine in a controlled, comfortable manner can help re-establish a more normal healthy disc. This can re-supply the disc with nutrients and blood contact that help the disc heal from the inside out. Also the dramatic decrease of pressure n the disc (decompression) can foster the drawing in of a bulge and help take pressure off a “pinched” spinal nerve.

Re-establish Structural Support

Although most patients report dramatic reduction of their pain within as few as five treatments, an injured spinal disc needs time to heal. This is why we urge you to be regular with your prescribed treatments and office visits. Research shows to completely heal some discs a regular program of home exercises, prescribed by your doctor will need to be followed. Spinal disc structures can take months to heal. Even though your pain may be gone, you must stay on the treatment plan in order to keep your spine healthy.

As you become more mobile and more able to return to your normal lifestyle, your increased activity is what your spine needs most. Movement is life, and your spine depends on the muscle activity to support your spine, and create fluid movement to and from the discs.

PHASE II: Stabilization of Structures

At this point of the treatment phase the pain is under control and now the Rehabilitation of the structures supporting the disc begins.  Most patients feel significant pain reduction in as few as five Spinal Decompression Therapy treatments. That however does not mean the healing process is complete, or that your pain won’t return.

During Phase II of your Spinal Decompression Therapy treatments, our office will prescribe a series of rehabilitative exercises and procedures in order to more fully heal your discs, and keep the pain from returning. Most lower back pain and neck pain suffers have two problems that have contributed to their disc injury and limited their natural healing abilities.

Decreased Spine Flexibility & Poor Muscle Control

A program of focused rehabilitative exercise, may begin during your Spinal Decompression Therapy course of treatment. Our rehabilitation program involves several clinically effective yet simple, pain-free activities.

Strengthening the muscles that support the spine and regaining endurance in them, is also vital for spinal health.

All the body systems must work in concert for optimum health so nutritional and lifestyle advice may be given as well as an at-home exercise program. We can’t over emphasize the importance of the at-home exercises. What you do at home is integral to the overall success we have. Studies show consistent stabilization and endurance exercises control back pain and reduce injury. At what point you start the exercise program is a function of your pain and overall progress based on our findings.

PHASE III: Support of Muscular System

During Phase III, we’ll structure an in-office and home-based exercise program that will help to bring your spine back to full health. This exercise program may include in-office resistance training, at home Stabilizer exerciser and resistance training and other “core” exercises.

Regular and consistent home based exercise is one of the keys to long-term relief. We have found through experience the simple home-based exercises we prescribe are most effective. Introduction to the low tech movement exercises you can do to speed the healing process are one of the most important parts of the Spinal Decompression Therapy System.