The Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy
Are you struggling with back, leg, or neck pain? Spinal decompression therapy offered by your chiropractor relieves pressure on your spine and eases your pain.
How Spinal Decompression Therapy Works
Pain can occur if a nerve is irritated or muscles or soft tissues become too tight. This may happen if the vertebrae in your spine are misaligned or a bulging disc presses against nearby nerves. Spinal decompression therapy increases the space between the vertebrae and gently stretches the spine, relieving irritation and pressure on nerves.
Your chiropractor may recommend spinal decompression therapy that involves the use of a specially designed motorized table. As you lie on the table, you feel gentle pressure on your back as the spine is gently stretched and decompressed. Treatments are painless and take less than a hour. Multiple treatments are usually needed to achieve complete pain relief.
Spinal Decompression Therapy Treats Several Painful Conditions
Spinal decompression therapy can be an excellent option if you have one of these conditions:
- Herniated Discs. Rubbery discs between the vertebrae in the spine cushion your spine and help you move. Herniated discs occur when the gel-like inner core of a spinal disc oozes through its tough outer layer. The herniated part of the disc presses on nerves, causing pain.
- Degenerative Disc Disease. Wear and tear or injuries can cause spinal discs to wear down, causing pain and limited mobility.
- Sciatica. Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve in the lower back triggers pain that extends from your lower back to your legs and feet. Other symptoms can include weakness, numbness, and tingling.
- Facet Joint Syndrome. Inflammation and degeneration of the cartilage in the joints between the vertebrae is the cause of painful facet joint syndrome. The inflammation also affects nearby nerves, triggering pain and stiffness in the back or neck.
- Spinal Stenosis. Narrowing of the spine may compress the spinal cord and the nerves that extend from it, triggering pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the arms, neck, lower back, buttocks, or legs.
Spinal Decompression Improves Herniated Disc Symptoms
Treatments may help herniated and bulging discs return to their normal positions and promote healing. In a research study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, patients who had herniated discs in their lower backs experienced improvements in pain intensity and function after spinal decompression therapy. More than 26% of patients who received the therapy also had more than a 50% reduction in disc herniation.
Struggling with Stiffness and Mobility Issues? Spinal Decompression Can Help
Inflammation causes swelling and stiffness that makes it hard to bend, twist, or turn. Relieving inflammation with spinal decompression therapy can help you move more comfortably and even return to your normal activities.
Patients May Need Less Pain Medication After Spinal Decompression Therapy
Does pain medication make you feel dizzy or nauseated? Are you worried about becoming addicted to prescription painkillers? Spinal decompression therapy relieves pain naturally. Treatments could help you decrease your pain medication dosage or frequency or even eliminate the need for pain medication alltogether.
Spinal Decompression Therapy Could Help Prevent or Delay Surgery
Surgery may not be your only option if you have a herniated disc, facet joint syndrome, or degenerative disc disease. Spinal decompression therapy offers a simpler, less expensive treatment option that treats the source of your pain. Unlike surgery, there's no lengthy recovery period after spinal decompression therapy. You can return to your usual activities as soon as you leave the chiropractic office.
Wondering if spinal decompression therapy is right for you? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the chiropractor.
Sources:
International Journal of Clinical Practice: Effect of Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression on Intensity of Pain and Herniated Disc Volume in Subacute Lumbar Herniated Disc, 9/19/2022
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9553669/
SPINE-Health: All About Spinal Decompression Therapy
https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/all-about-spinal-decompression-therapy
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Herniated Disc in the Lower Back, 1/2022
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back/
The Korean Journal of Pain: Facet Joint Disorders: From Diagnosis to Treatment, 1/1/2024