Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is an incredible computer-aided technology which assists in the recovery of low back and neck pain caused by bulging or herniated disc; degenerative disc; and stenosis. It is a treatment geared in reducing nerve pain (radiculopathy) such as “sciatic” pain or any other compromised nerve arising from issues with the disc.

Spinal decompression is administered using sophisticated technology. Our table stretches the spine and decompresses the discs. This technology is so advanced, it can detect minor changes in your muscles in response to the pulling and adapt to these changes. This allows for the most optimal treatment.

How Does Spinal Decompression Work?

Spinal Decompression uses state of the art technology to apply a distraction force to relieve nerve compression often associated with low back pain and sciatica.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, not to be confused with linear traction, slowly lengthens and decompresses the spine, creating negative pressures within the discs. This reversal of pressure creates an intradiscal vacuum that helps to reposition bulging discs and pull extruded disc material back into place, taking pressure off pinched nerves. Spinal experts believe that nutrients, oxygen, and fluids are drawn into the disc to create a revitalized environment conducive to healing.

What are the Treatments like?

At the beginning of each session, you will be comfortably fitted with a harness designed to achieve optimal decompression of the low back or neck. During a session of spinal decompression you will notice a slow lengthening of your spine as your discs are gradually decompressed and relieved of pressure. The treatment process is safe and relaxing While some patients with extensively injured discs have reported mild discomfort during the first few treatment sessions, their discomfort subsides upon subsequent visits. A patient safety switch provides an extra safety feature, allowing you to stop at any point should you feel discomfort. Each treatment session lasts approximately 30 minutes. Individual patient results may vary.

What is the Typical Treatment Protocol?

A typical spinal decompression treatment protocol consists of about 12-30 sessions over four to eight weeks. Some conditions require fewer visits; some require more. Many patients report relief from their pain and other symptoms during the first few treatment sessions, and most experience dramatic pain relief after completion of their prescribed treatment program.

Why is Spinal Decompression Different from Traction, Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Manipulation?

While traction, physical therapy, and manipulation may reduce disc pressures to as low as 40 mm Hg, only spinal decompression has been shown to achieve negative pressures within the spine. It has been clinically established that spinal decompression creates negative pressures as low as -110 mm Hg3 within the injured disc during the treatment session.
Normally, pulls exerted on the spine trigger sensory receptors in the back to tighten the muscles surrounding the vertebrae and discs in an effort to protect them from injury. Spinal Decompression bypasses this response by adapting to the muscular resistance using intricate sensors. By slowly pulling on the spine and relaxing the back over an extended period of time, this allows the discs to be repositioned without tension and without causing spasm and muscle guarding.

Is it true that Research has shown up to 88.9% Success Rate for Spinal Decompression?

Yes! More than 10 research articles have shown success rates for spinal decompression to be up to 88.9%. In fact John Leslie M.D. and the Mayo Clinic reported at the 18th Annual Meeting American Academy of Pain Management in Tampa Florida on September 5, 2007 the following amazing statistics:
Designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of spinal decompression in the treatment of chronic lower back pain.
Patients enrolled have an average of ten years of chronic back pain. After two weeks of treatments of spinal decompression — 50% reduction in pain scores. Upon completion of the entire six week protocol success rate of 88.9% was documented.

Do I Qualify for Spinal Decompression Therapy Treatment?

Candidates for spinal decompression therapy include the following:

Diagnosis of a herniated, bulging or degenerated disc
Back pain persisting for more than three weeks
Recurrent pain from a failed back surgery that is more than six months old
Persistent pain from arthritis
Patient at least 18 years of age

Who doesn’t qualify for spinal decompression therapy?

Candidates that may not qualify for spinal decompression therapy include the following:

Hardware in the spine such as screws and rods
Pregnancy
Prior lumbar fusion less than six months old
Metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to the bones
Grade 3 and 4 spondylolisthesis (Grade 1 or Grade 2 spondylolisthesis are treatable)
Recent compression fracture of lumbar spine
Pathologic aortic aneurysm
Pelvic or abdominal cancer
Disc space infections

Consult your physician if you have any questions about the conditions above or to find out if you would qualify for spinal decompression therapy.

Are there any Side Effects to the Treatment?

Most patients do not experience any major side effects. The most common side effect is a dull, achy soreness for the first week or two as the body becomes accustomed to being stretched and decompressed. Spinal decompression stretches muscles in a lengthening direction which the body is generally not used to. Because of this patients may experience a dull, achy soreness that they often describe as “it feels like I just worked out for the first time in a long time.” Very rarely do patients have an increase in the pain that they came in with.
Patients with acute, severe disc herniations may experience some pain during the first week or two until the herniation retracts back in taking pressure off of the nerves. Acute disc herniation patients tend to experience more “up and down” types of relief from their pain for the first 2 weeks as an acute disc herniation can be slightly unpredictable. Regardless of the mild soreness experienced in the first week or two, most patients experience 50% relief or more of their pain around the end of the second week.
Overall Spinal Decompression Therapy is considered safe and comfortable. The system has emergency stop switches for both the patient and the operator. These switches terminate the treatment immediately if a patient experiences any increase in pain or discomfort during the treatment thereby avoiding most injuries.

Can Spinal Decompression be Used for Patients that Have had Spinal Surgery?

In many cases Spinal Decompression treatment is not contra-indicated (withheld due to the harm that it would cause the patient) for patients that have had spinal surgery. In fact many patients have found success with Spinal Decompression even after a failed back surgery.
After a failed Laminectomy or Microdiscectomy patients may still respond favorably to spinal decompression. If a patient has had more than 3 laminectomies then the success rate of spinal decompression will go down. If a patient has had surgical fusion with rods or screws or any type of hardware then patients may not qualify for spinal decompression. Always consult your spinal decompression specialist to see if you qualify for spinal decompression therapy.