What Is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression?
Nonsurgical spinal decompression is a type of motorized traction that has been shown to relieve back pain. Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine changing the force and position of the spine. This change takes pressure off the spinal discs, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by creating negative pressure in the disc. As a result, bulging or herniated discs may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine. This helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs, so they can heal.
Doctors have used nonsurgical spinal decompression in an attempt to treat:
• Back or neck pain or sciatica, which is pain, weakness, or tingling that extends down the leg
• Bulging or herniated discs or degenerative disc disease
• Worn spinal joints (called posterior facet syndrome)
• Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots
How Is Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression Done?
The doctor fits the patient with a harness around the pelvis and another around the trunk. While lying either face down or face up on a computer-controlled table, the doctor operates the computer, customizing treatment to your specific needs.
The patient is fully clothed during spinal decompression therapy and treatment may last 20 to 30 minutes. Depending on the patient’s individual treatment plan, 20 to 25 treatments may be necessary over a five to seven-week period. Before or after therapy, you may have other types of treatment, such as:
• Chiropractic spinal adjustments.
• Physical therapies (pelvic tilts, extension exercises, wobble chair etc.)
• 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