Spinal Decompression is a treatment for a person with a soft-tissue disc-lesion. This condition is commonly seen in the neck or lower-back regions. The only way for it to heal is to decompress it to regain its integrity.
The Spinal Decompression table has a harness system to your hips, thoracic cavity or neck (depending on the location of the problem) that gently distracts the area open creating negative pressure, which sucks the disc’s material back into place. This eleviates pressure on the nerve and promotes healing.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT SPINAL DECOMPRESSION
How did Spinal Decompression get invented?
Decompression was discovered through MRI and other diagnostic procedures, finding that problems with the discs in our spine are one of the main pain generators, and led to the further breakdown of the surrounding spine structures. It was discovered that tension applied to the spinal column using a computer bypassed the muscle guarding reflex, and lowered the disc pressure to negative levels.
Why spinal decompression?
What spinal disc issue do I have?
What is the difference between decompression and traction?
Traction has not been shown to lower intradiscal pressures, and has had a dismal track record with chronic low back pain. Anderson and Nachemson placed pressure transducers in four subjects in the lumbar spine during traction procedures. They found that the intradiscal pressures went up dramatically in both cases. They concluded that at no time was negative intradiscal pressure observed and, therefore, the disc could not be sucked back. They suggested that, in order to produce a relative reduction in disc pressure, traction must be administered in such a way as to allow trunk muscle relaxation. Traction can be expected to increase intradiscal pressure and can, therefore, aggravate a protruded, herniated or extruded disc. It is, therefore, contra-indicated for patients with herniated discs. Technological advances, along with our research, led to the development of spinal decompression treatment. The computer control of the equipment allows controllable, effective axial distraction to be applied to the lumbar or cervical vertebral column without eliciting trunk muscle contraction.
What are the benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy?
If you are looking at the possibility of surgery, it may cancel or delay the surgery indefinitely, or prolong the amount of time until you will need surgery. #1 Avoid a scheduled surgery, #2 avoid a future surgery or 3# if you need surgery it may be ten or twenty years before needing it.. We know that the chances of a second surgery increases following the initial surgery. Most people can avoid surgery with SD.
Who is a good candidate for Spinal Decompression Therapy? The age group is large… from 18 to 65 years (or older if the exam permits) of age as any one of these age groups can suffer from a pinched nerve or herniated disc.
Is Spinal Decompression Therapy Covered by insurance?
The majority of the services that are wrapped around Spinal Decompression Therapy such as a brace or a tens unit may be covered but the treatments typically are not. Obviously you would need an exam and follow-up care and that is covered.
Does Spinal Decompression Therapy hurt?
Most time of the time, no. Some people experience mild, brief discomfort for about 20 minutes following treatment. Occasionally, some may see a short term increase in symptoms usually tied to muscle spasm.
Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Prevent Surgery?
Absolutely, if you have a disc that is injured, as you move around and sit, you will continue to injure this already damaged tissue. But if Spinal Decompression gets in and creates negative force between two joints and heals up that disc, you no longer need surgery at that point. It is the bridge between very conservative care like physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, stretching and surgery. It can also reduce costs of care tremendously.
How long has Spinal Decompression Therapy been around?
Since 1991 but it gained more momentum from 1998 on. In Asheville there are probably only 4 or 5 Spinal Decompression Therapy tables.
Do you have to have an x-ray or MRI?
Yes, but if you already have them, we ask that you bring them in at your first visit. If you do not have them we may refer you for an X-ray film or can guide you through the process of an MRI referral.