Decompression
Disc Decompression Therapy
- Introduction
- What is Decompression Therapy
- Is it right for you?
- How often do I have to use this therapy?
- Is it safe?
- Frequently Asked Questions
a non-surgical procedure, boasting an 87% success rate that effectively treats disabling low back, neck, and radiating leg and arm pain.
Introduction
The intervertebral disc is a special type of cartilage that connects and cushions the twenty-four bones of your spinal column. Each disc attaches to the vertebra above and below it. This provides the proper spacing for pairs of nerve roots to exit the spine from between each joint.
A disc can thin, wedge, bulge, protrude, tear, or herniate, but it doesn’t slip. Safe and natural chiropractic care can help.
Each spinal disc has a jelly-like “ball bearing” core that is contained by bands of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs give you flexibility, allowing normal turning and bending. This movement produces a pumping action that supplies proper disc nutrition and waste removal.
Trauma produces the most common form of disc injury. Spinal misalignments can cause disc tissue to adapt into a wedge-like shape. This is the earliest stage of disc damage. While this position can encroach upon adjacent nerve tissue, pain or other obvious symptoms may not be present. Even before symptoms appear, chiropractic care can be helpful.
Like a blister, disc tissue can bulge. As the soft nucleus of the disc is compressed, it pushes outward where the disc wall is weakest. This distortion can produce obvious symptoms (sciatica) as it affects nearby nerves. Muscles tighten to protect and splint the joint. Chiropractic care has been known to help.
The most extreme form of disc damage is when the disc ruptures, leaking its contents into surrounding tissues. With its cushioning and separating functions gone, movement is painful and surgical intervention is often involved.
Uncorrected, long-standing vertebral subluxations can make discs susceptible to damage. “I didn’t do a thing” or “I just bent over to tie my shoes” are comments we often hear.
What is Decompression Therapy
Decompression is defined as a reduction in pressure. Decompression therapy is a non-surgical procedure, boasting an 87% success rate that effectively treats disabling low back, neck, and radiating leg and arm pain. An effective Carpal Tunnel treatment is also available.
It effectively relieves pain associated with disc herniation, degenerative discs, canal stenosis, and posterior facet syndromes by allowing decompression of spinal discs and facet joints. This causes an unloading due to distraction and positioning.
Decompression Therapy effectively enhances the healing process and renders quick, effective, and amazing pain relief that enables most patients to return to a more active lifestyle.
Is it right for you?
Decompression Therapy is an effective treatment for patients suffering herniated or degenerated discs, canal stenosis, as well as posterior facet syndromes, which respond well to the distraction. An effective Carpal Tunnel treatment is also available. Certain conditions such as fractures, gross osteoporosis, and tumors are not candidates for this treatment.
How often do I have to use this therapy?
Decompression Therapy begins with a series of sessions typically three times per week. Each session is approximately 15-20 minutes in length. The extent and severity of each individual’s symptoms will determine the amount of sessions that will be necessary.
Following each session, electrical muscle stimulation is applied to help relax the muscles and ligaments.
After treatment, your doctor may prescribe specific exercises designed to help regain control and strengthen the co-contractor muscles, which are responsible for stabilization.
Is it safe?
Clinical studies suggest Decompression Therapy provides a majority of qualified candidates with initial relief within a few sessions. Maximum benefit is usually achieved within 8-15 sessions.
Decompression Therapy is an FDA approved procedure that is covered by most insurance companies and is compensated under Act 57 (PA Workers Compensation) and Act 6 (PA Personal Injury).
Frequently Asked Questions
Aren’t disc problems simply part of the normal aging process?
No. However, many disc problems are the result of years of neglect. Many spinal problems are nonsymptomatic until the advanced stages of degeneration. Many elderly patients who have maintained their spines throughout their lives continue to enjoy excellent spinal health and function.
How does chiropractic care help disc problems?
The purpose of chiropractic care is to locate and correct areas of the spine that interfere with the proper nervous system control of your body. Because the intervertebral discs are so close to the spinal cord and nerve roots, disc involvement is quite common in chiropractic cases. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper motion and position of malfunctioning spinal bones, reducing nervous system involvement. If caught before permanent damage occurs, disc tissue often returns to a more normal size and shape.
How is Decompression Therapy different from Traction Therapy?
Axial Decompression Therapy increases the amount of fluid being drawn into the disc, thereby slowing down disc de-generation. Traction Therapy draws fluid out of the disc therefore increasing disc de-generation.
How long do I have to use Decompression Therapy?
The doctor will determine a condition-specific treatment plan for each patient’s needs.
Does Decompression Therapy hurt?
Decompression Therapy effectively enhances the healing process and renders quick and amazing pain relief that enables most patients to return to a more active lifestyle.