1. What does spinal decompression treat?
It is the leading non-surgical treatment for disc injuries of both the cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (low back).
These injuries include both active pain from a bulge or herniation as well as pain from degeneration (general disc thinning from aging). The sensation that patients experience is usually explained as numbness, tingling, and/or muscle weakness in the arm, hand or fingers in the case of the neck. Disc issues in the low back cause these same symptoms in the hip, leg and/or foot.
2. How does spinal decompression work?
The patient is placed face up on a table with straps around the hips and rib cage (low back), or at an incline with a headpiece around the base of the skull (neck). A computerized traction unit stretches the spine at intervals. This stretching force creates a negative pressure within the disc. The negative pressure draws in surrounding fluid to help the disc heal while drawing it away from the nerve root. Short term effects include reduced pain and symptoms along with increased mobility. Over the long term it has been shown that the anatomy of the disc and its annular fibers begin to align more vertically, therefore being able to withstand a compressive load without compressing to the same extent as it would have prior to treatment. Therefore it offers short term relief and long term prevention.
3. What are the treatments like?
The treatments are performed on a table. The patient lays still with their knees elevated while the machine performs a series of pulling and relaxing motions. The treatment is painless and lasts between 20-25 minutes per session. Some tenderness may be experienced following the first 1-2 treatments. Some patients are so relaxed that they have actually fallen asleep during treatment.
4. If I undergo spinal decompression therapy, how long will it take to see results?
There are too many variables at play to answer that question adequately. Are you in shape? Overweight with a weak core? How is your bone density? How much degeneration and bone spurring is present in conjunction with the disc issue? How old are you? How long have the symptoms existed before seeking treatment? What do you do for a living, and is it contributing to the symptoms? These are all factors. With a healthy individual that seeks care soon after injury, symptoms can be seen in 2-3 visits. Some patients have seen relief after 8-10 visits.
5. Do I qualify for spinal decompression?
Googling symptoms and talking to family and friends about medical conditions helps to understand, but a
determination as to whether or not it would help would still require medical evaluation. Symptoms of numbness and tingling are common in many instances and don’t always involve the spine. Some symptoms can be medication related, circulatory issues from diabetes, and even side effects of prior chemotherapy. In order to determine, we first need to evaluate the musculoskeletal system and determine the cause through neurological testing and x-rays if necessary and possibly through the ordering of an MRI to see nerve impingement and disc injury. Most cases do not require this level of testing, however.
6. Who doesn't qualify for spinal decompression?
As stated above, the cause of the symptoms is key. Those experiencing tingling and numbness of weakness from other outside factors not involving the spine do not qualify. Some surgical procedures involving implements can prevent this treatment. In general, if the pain arising is caused by spine issues, there are very few people that do not qualify for decompression.
7. Are there any side effects of the treatment?
Soreness are stiffness are common side effects of the first 1-2 treatments. It is more evident immediately following the treatment and may last 24 hours. Changing the structure of the spine and inputting this much force causes some stiffness. Think working out for the first time in years. It’s a positive change, but doesn’t come pain free. Every effort is made to minimize this with starting treatment slowly and at lighter forces, as well as co-treating with a primary care physician (one is located in our office) to prescribe medications to alleviate any pain associated with the condition.