What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy Used For?

If you have chronic back or neck pain, your relief may lie in spinal decompression therapy. The nonsurgical treatment is a revolutionary therapy that can get you back to your daily activities. For anyone who suffers from this pain, it is understandable how you may want to try anything to find relief. Spinal decompression may be what you need. Here are some facts to help you decide whether it is right for you.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

It is a treatment that uses the same principles as spinal traction. It aims to relieve pain and promote optimal healing for back and neck pain. The pain may result from degenerating, bulging, or herniated discs. Sometimes, chiropractors may also use the treatment for sciatica. It is safe and effective.

What Does It Involve?

It starts with you lying face down or up on a computer-controlled table. The chiropractor fits a harness around your trunk and another around your pelvis. As the lower portion of the table moves back and forth, the upper part remains steady. The device stretches and relaxes your spine intermittently in a controlled manner. It provides traction and relaxation.

The treatment lasts 30 to 45 minutes, and you may require 15 to 30 treatment sessions. These may last four to seven weeks, depending on your situation. The chiropractor may also incorporate other treatments before or after your session. Some examples include electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and heat or cold therapy.

The Aim

The aim is to create negative pressure within the disc itself. It pulls the bulging or herniated discs back into position and promotes the passage of healing nutrients into it. The body can heal better by itself.

Who Are Candidates?

The treatment alleviates pain and promotes healing in the intervertebral disc and spinal structure. As such, it is ideal for patients suffering from:

• Back or neck pain.
• Sciatica or pain, tingling, and weakness that extends down the leg.
• Degenerative, bulging, or herniated disc disease.
• Injuries or diseased spinal nerve roots.
• Posterior facet syndrome or worn spinal joints.

However, the treatment is not ideal for pregnant women who may be suffering from any of the above conditions. Also, be careful if you have a tumor, fracture, artificial disc, or metal implants in the spine. You should also avoid the therapy if you are taking blood thinning medication. Advanced osteoporosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm also disqualify you from being a candidate.

Benefits of Spinal Decompression

The treatment aims to bring several benefits to the patient. These include:

• Creating negative intradiscal pressure that promotes retraction.
• Taking pressure off the nerves and other spinal structures. 
• Repositioning of bulging or herniated discs.
• Preventing the advance of herniation.
• Causing an influx of healing nutrients into the discs by creating lower pressure.
• Improving blood flow.
• Eases disc rehydration.

The treatment eases your pain and improves your spinal mobility. The incorporation of other therapies develops your core strength and joint flexibility. You can resume your daily activities with minimal restrictions and slowly regain your life.

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