What is Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression releases pressure on the spinal discs or compressed nerves surrounding the spinal column. Decompression stretches the spine, taking pressure off of the discs and nerves. One of the most common causes of spinal pain is compressed nerves, which may be a result of spinal misalignment or related to disc material damage.
What Can be Treated with Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression can help in a range of back and neck conditions, particularly disc and spinal nerve damage. It is most effective in cases of herniated, protruding, or bulging discs which are conditions that are diagnosed with an MRI. Anyone suffering from back pain related to bulging or herniated discs may be a candidate for decompression therapy, but only a Doctor of Chiropractic or other healthcare practitioner specializing in the musculoskeletal system and trained as a decompression technician can make this determination upon assessing a patient.
Another condition that shows positive results from decompression therapy is compressed or pinched nerves. Most commonly, a pinched nerve, is a condition where the pain from a compressed nerve in the spine radiates out along the course of the nerve. This may result in numbness, tingling or weakness in an adjacent limb, such as your arms, legs or feet. The mechanical pressure, or pinched/compressed nerve, is often a result of disc damage, poor muscle use or a posture-induced compression. Decompression therapy releases the pressure on areas between the discs, spine and the nerve exit points which helps to heal affected nerves.
Patients suffering several other conditions may also benefit from spinal decompression therapy. Compression trauma and impingement or inflammation of the nerves can be treated with our spinal decompression table. Several patients suffer from “sciatica” which is caused by a pinched sciatic nerve, it responds the same way as a pinched nerve does to spinal decompression therapy. Decompression has been found to be beneficial when other methods of manipulation or physical therapy have not shown results.
What is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy?
For patients suffering from compression, disc damage or pinched nerves, non-surgical decompression therapy shows significant benefits and it is a much more pleasant, safer, simpler and less costly alternative to surgery.
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical approach to treating spinal compression complaints by manipulation and traction. Traction aims to provide natural decompression of the spine by applying a gentle series of tensile forces or stretching to the spine. Manipulation of spinal joints aims to free pinched nerves and realign the spinal column reducing pain and restore your motion.
What is Involved with Spinal Decompression Therapy?
The basis of non-surgical spinal decompression treatment is the repeated application of traction, which gently stretches the spine. It applies pressure (in tension) between the upper torso or neck and the pelvis or lumbar spine area. The traction pressures may be motorized, where the procedure is computer controlled by a specially designed electronic traction bed and harness. The computer program applies a series of calculated pressures directly to the harness to effect decompression. Programs can be modified to suit patients’ specific complaints.
Dr. Jordan may use a hands-on, manual technique, which is a process of physical stretching and flexing from hands. Mechanical traction usually involves a specially designed table or bench which applies then retracts pressures based on springs and weights. Manipulation of joints may be included in spinal decompression therapy to assist with freeing trapped nerves, or it may be a complementary procedure.
With the addition of the Spinal Decompression table to our clinic, it can give more benefits to our patients who are suffering from these issues. Please give us a call to schedule your appointment and speak with Dr. Jordan more in-depth.