Spinal Decompression
Why consider spinal decompression therapy? If you have chronic back pain or other related symptoms, you know it can disrupt your life. For some patients, the pain can be so bad that daily life can become unbearable. Many patients turn to spinal decompression. There are surgical and nonsurgical applications. At Epic Health Care & Physical Medicine, we focus on nonsurgical treatments to relieving pain.
Spinal Decompression Explained
Spinal Decompression is an effective, safe, non-surgical solution for treating bulging and herniated discs of the neck or lower back. The technique slowly stretches and relaxes the spine. In essence, decompression creates negative pressure inside the disc. This helps the disc to heal.
According to Wikipedia, “Spinal decompression is a surgical procedure intended to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or on one or more compressed nerve roots passing through or exiting the spinal column. Decompression of the spinal neural elements is a key component in treating spinal radiculopathy, myelopathy and claudication.”
What is Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression?
Nonsurgical spinal decompression entails motorized traction that can help relieve back pain. Spinal decompression effectively stretches the spine, which changes the position and force of the spine. This takes pressure off spinal disks (gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine), by creating negative pressure. This allows bulging or herniated disks to retract in most cases. And results in taking pressure off nerves and other structures in the spine. This helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disks so they can heal.
Nonsurgical spinal decompression has been used 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 disks or degenerative disk disease
- Worn spinal joints (called posterior facet syndrome)
- Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots
Does it Hurt and Is it Effective?
Not at all. In fact, many patients find the entire process relaxing and pain-free. Some patients have actually even fallen asleep during treatment. Many patients have realized amazing, lasting relief from their pain when other medical treatments had failed. Many orthopedic or neurosurgeons recommend the procedure to avoid surgery.
If you are facing surgery and wondering if spinal decompression is right for you, contact our office to make an appointment today.