Everything You Need to Know About Spinal Decompression

Today, more than 80% of Americans deal with chronic back pain. Moreover, back pain is the leading cause of people missing work, not only in the U.S. but all around the world. It is also the most prevalent reason people visit the doctor’s office. Chronic back pain significantly affects your quality of life and sometimes your mobility.

You may have visited different doctors and healthcare providers for relief and seen no results. It can be pretty frustrating, both financially and emotionally. If this is the case, then maybe it is time you tried spinal decompression. You may have heard one of your healthcare providers mention it but never really understood what it was.

What Is Spinal Decompression?

Surgical decompression is a treatment that doctors can use to help relieve pressure in the spine. Excessive pressure in the spine is the most common cause of bulging discs. Reducing the pressure can resolve the herniated disc and its other consequences.

Spinal decompression can either be nonsurgical or surgical. The treatment option the doctor prescribes will often depend on the issues and symptoms you are dealing with.

Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression

Simply known as spinal decompression, this treatment utilizes motorized traction to relieve back pain. It is commonly performed by a chiropractor and is the preferred form of treatment. The main advantage of the nonsurgical option is that it is non-invasive, has no downtime, and is less expensive.

The treatment works by gently stretching the spine, which changes the spinal column’s force and position. The result is reduced pressure on the spinal discs and the gel-like cushions between the vertebrae.

The low pressure may bring about the retraction of the herniated discs relieving any affected structures. The restored alignment also encourages the flow of oxygen, water, and other nutrient-rich fluids to the damaged discs. These will help the discs to heal and prevent further damage to the discs.

Surgical Spinal Decompression

Surgical decompression usually involves the surgeon releasing pressure in a specific part of the spine. The treatment is often the last resort for back pain. Chiropractors and other doctors will only recommend it when all other options and treatments fail to work. Like the nonsurgical option, this treatment also aims to relieve the structures impacted by the pressure and the herniated discs.

How Does Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression Work?

For this procedure, you will usually be fully clothed. The chiropractor or doctor will put a harness around your trunk and pelvis. They will then direct you to lie down on a unique table connected to a computer.

The doctor will use a computer to control the table that applies traction through the harness. Each session is 30 to 45 minutes, four times a week, for five to seven weeks. If you get treatment from a chiropractor, they may combine it with other modalities.

What Does Spinal Decompression Treat?

Healthcare providers can use spinal decompression to treat:

• Neck and back pain.
• Sciatica: pain that causes tingling or weakness which shoots down your leg.
• Degenerative disc disease.
• Herniated and bulging discs.
• Diseases or injured spinal nerve roots.
• Posterior facet syndrome or worn spinal joints.

For more on spinal decompression, visit Knecht Chiropractic Center at our office in Sanford, North Carolina. Call (919) 629-0400 to book an appointment today.