Spinal Decompression Treatment involves stretching out the spinal column using motorized traction or decompression table that pulls compressed vertebrae back to their normal position to relieve back and/or leg pain. This procedure is nonsurgical decompression therapy, not the same as surgical spinal decompression, such as laminectomy and microdiscectomy. Both treatments relieve pain and promote optimal healing for bulging, degenerating, or herniated discs.
Decompression therapy uses the same principle of spinal adjustments offered by chiropractors, physiotherapists, and osteopaths. Spinal decompression helps to promote retraction or repositioning of herniated or bulging disc material and lowers disc pressure to engage the body’s natural healing process.
Nonsurgical spinal decompression helps to treat:
The spine makes sure that the body is not falling apart as it is the body’s central support structure. Research studies have shown that as part of the musculoskeletal system since the spine is connected to different parts of the muscle tissues that make sure that the body is moving. The spine’s primary function is to help the body sit, stand, walk, twist, and bend as it is in motion. A healthy spine will have these natural curves that will absorb shocks that the body encounters and protect the spine itself from injury in an S-shaped curve. Other research studies have shown that the spine comprises bone, cartilage, ligaments, nerves, and muscles that play an integral role in how the spine is formed and how it functions. The many different parts that make up the spine include:
When back pain or spinal injury starts to affect the back and the spine, many back issues will begin to affect the spinal health over time. This is due to the spine’s vertebrae and disks wearing down due to age, and that can cause the individual pain. There are ways to lessen the pain from the spine, and that is through spinal decompression therapy.
Spinal decompression is a mechanized version of a chiropractic adjustment. By gently stretching and moving the spine, the vertebrae have proper alignment restored, restoring range of motion, decreasing or eliminating pain, and improving mobility and function.
The spine takes a considerable toll from all the physical activity or lack of activity, leading to spinal compression, drying out and wearing down the spinal discs, and degeneration.
Ask a doctor, spine specialist, or chiropractor whether or not the criteria are met for nonsurgical spinal decompression. Individuals with any of these conditions should not undergo decompression treatment. These include:
American Spinal Decompression Association: “Spinal Decompression Therapy.”
Daniel DM. Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy: Does the scientific literature support efficacy claims made in the advertising media? Chiropractic & Osteopathy 15:7, May 18, 2007.
Ramos G, Martin W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. Journal of Neurosurgery 81:350-353, 1994.
Wang G. Powered traction devices for intervertebral decompression: Health technology assessment update. Washington Department of Labor and Industries, June 14, 2004.
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