Spinal Decompression – Treatment Procedure

Author: Igor Stiler

Low back and neck pain are among the most common conditions requiring serious medical care. These conditions can significantly limit a person’s quality of life and functionality. Reports suggest that lower back pain is one of the most common causes of disability in the United States. It is estimated that each year about 3-4% of the population is temporarily disabled due to this condition. Spinal decompression is an effective non-surgical traction based treatment that provides relief for chronic low back pain and neck pain associated with spinal disc injuries.

Thickened joints, bulging/collapsed discs, loosened ligaments and bony growths can narrow the spinal canal and the spinal nerve openings thereby causing irritation. This treatment offers relief from symptoms caused by compression/pressure on the spinal cord/nerve roots.

The procedure helps to rejuvenate the disc by:

  • Reducing extra load on the spine
  • Reversing nerve impairment

Symptoms

The common symptoms associated with spinal disc injuries include -

  • Chronic pain in the lower back or neck
  • Numbness
  • Weakness
  • Tingling sensation
  • Unsteadiness

In certain cases, the pressure on the spinal nerves can potentially cause problems with bladder or bowel function. Spinal decompression is very effective in treating several spinal conditions such as sciatica, spinal injuries (like fracture or the swelling of tissue), spondylosis, radiculopathy, and foramenal stenosis.

The Procedure

Spinal decompression therapy utilizes a specific type of motorized traction that cycles through distraction and relaxation phases, while also maintaining proper positioning. It significantly reduces internal disc pressure and promotes retraction of the herniated spinal disc material to a normal physiologic position. It also promotes the intake of oxygen, fluids and other substances needed for healing the spinal disc and surrounding tissues.

Before beginning the procedure, a thorough evaluation is done to determine whether the patient is a suitable candidate. A complete evaluation of the patient’s medical history, X-rays and CT/MRI scans is made. Typically, patients undergo treatment sessions that last for about 20-25 minutes. However, the number of sessions and treatment time needed by each patient will vary and depend upon a patient’s condition and is determined by thorough pre-treatment evaluation. Sometimes repeated sessions are necessary for achieving optimal results.

To reduce inflammation and promote a quick healing process, patients at multi-specialty healthcare centers are treated with passive therapies such as chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, heat or cold therapy, electrical stimulation and active rehabilitation to strengthen the spinal musculature.