Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy: What You Need To Know
Posted on: 16 June 2022
Lasting back pain can be debilitating. It can cause major disruptions in your life and much of your time is spent trying to find relief. One way to help deal with your back pain is with spinal decompression therapy. This is either a surgical or non-surgical procedure. If you are seeking a non-surgical approach, a chiropractor can apply decompression to help relieve back pain. Here are some things you need to know.
How Does Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Work?
Non-Surgical decompression is a form of traction to help relieve back pain. The chiropractor will carefully stretch the spine to change its force and position. The process helps take the pressure off the spinal disks between the bones of the spine. The result of decompression is a retraction of the herniated disks, which results in less pressure off the spine and the surrounding nerves. The decompression also helps oxygen and healthy fluids better move through the spine to promote healing.
What Issues Does Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Treat?
There are several issues decompression therapy can help with. Neck pain, back pain, and sciatica can be helped with decompression. If you have degenerative disk disease or a herniated disk, decompression may be an option. if you have any injured spinal nerves or worn-out spinal joints, this therapy may also be helpful.
Chiropractors also will suggest additional therapy and methods in conjunction with decompression to promote healing. This can include exercise, rest, bracing, physical therapy, and acupuncture.
What Can You Expect During a Spinal Decompression?
When you go to your appointment, you will wear a harness both around the pelvis and around your core area. You will lie down either on your stomach or back on a special table that is controlled by a computer. The chiropractor will stand at the computer to customize the treatment for your specific ailments.
The treatment typically lasts less than an hour. This therapy may also include heat or cold therapy as well as ultrasound wave therapy to help you heal.
Should You Ever Avoid Decompression Therapy?
While spinal decompression therapy can do a lot of good for your spinal condition, there are some cases in which it is not suggested. Pregnant women are often not the best candidates for this type of therapy. Those with tumors, fractures, any type of aneurysm, metal bone implants, or advanced osteoporosis are also not advised to have non-surgical spinal decompression. Work with your doctor to determine a better treatment method if you fall into any of these categories.
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