Spinal Decompression Therapy: The Spinal Health Solution
Everything You Need to Know About Spinal Decompression Therapy
When people are officially diagnosed with a spinal injury, like a herniated disc, their immediate thoughts turn to surgery. In the past, this was the only option. Spinal patients had to be operated on in order to help your pain levels. Today, you have other options. There are many other spinal treatment options out there that don’t involve surgery. One of the most effective options is spinal decompression therapy. This treatment involves no downtime and can relieve the problem at its source. If you have chronic back pain, you are not alone. The American Chiropractic Association estimates that one-half of all Americans in the workforce suffer from back pain each year. Additionally, as many as 80% of Americans will experience back pain at one point in their lives. Not only can back pain prevent you from working, but it also results in lost wages and impacts your day-to-day quality of life. While yours or your doctor’s first opinion may be that it requires surgery, there are less invasive options out there. Spinal decompression therapy offers a solution that can reduce and eliminate your pain, allowing you to return to your everyday life almost immediately after treatment.
Back Surgery Carries Many Risks – Consider Your Alternatives
Surgery on the spine is a very serious undertaking with many considerations. There are a number of different things that can go wrong. Hence, many patients should consider it their last resort. If none of these other treatments work – or the damage is too severe – then a doctor schedules a surgery. However, it’s important to remember that you have options! Many mild or even moderate spinal problems can be successfully treated in a number of other ways, which is why experts go to them first. Additionally, spinal surgery of any kind often requires three to four months of recovery, which can sometimes span into a complete recovery time of a year.
Spinal Decompression: How it Works
Your spine is made up of bones, but in order to provide your back with a range of movement, the bones have discs in between to allow flexibility that let you bend and move your back around. These discs are normally sealed within an exterior casing, but can wear down and cause the casing to weaken, making a rupture in the casing more likely. A disc may slip out, which can then irritate the nerves in your spinal cord, and depending on the location of the slipped disc, this may affect your thighs or your shoulders. With properly utilized Spinal Decompression Therapy, a person with a herniated disc, disc degeneration, sciatica from a damaged disc, or even spinal stenosis can benefit. The treatment actually focuses on healing and stabilizing the disc. Spinal decompression gently pulls the vertebral joints apart, which stimulates a reduction of herniated material away from the affected nerve. Therefore, rehydrating the disc and relieving pain in the area. In one study, spinal decompression was shown to not only relieve pain from a herniated disc, but also solve the problem at its source by supplying oxygen and nutrients to the damaged disc.
Can Spinal Decompression Help Me?
The answer is a resounding, yes! Spinal decompression therapy helps in many situations, especially for individuals facing back pain due to:
- Back pain or neck pain due to sciatica – a pain that also radiates down the leg
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet syndrome
- Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots
If you’re suffering due to back pain, this treatment option provides a quick and painless alternative over surgery. Many of our patients actually experience immediate relief and long-lasting results with just 4 to 6 treatments.
What is a Spinal Decompression Treatment Like?
You are fully clothed during spinal decompression therapy. The doctor places a harness around your hips and another around your torso. Then, you either lie facing downwards or facing up on a padded table. This table works with sensors that detect your body’s alignment. A doctor operates the computer, customizing treatment to your specific needs. Treatments last between 30 to 45 minutes depending on the patient’s needs. Also, Each spinal decompression therapy session may include other treatment modalities like; manual manipulation, physical therapy, electronic stimulation, and others. The goal is to completely relax the muscles, which also allows the spine more flexibility and mobility.
Find Pain Relief at West Texas Neck and Back
Spinal decompression is a non-surgical, effective treatment that can get you back on your feet almost immediately. When thinking about spinal decompression there are important factors to consider: the technology, the doctor’s expertise, and effectiveness. At West Texas Neck and Back, we’re dedicated to patient health and education. Our aim is to help patients return to their daily lives, without surgery, and without pain. Before you resort to surgery, think about an alternative, non-invasive options like spinal decompression. Our chiropractic experts in Lubbock, TX can determine if you are a candidate for spinal decompression therapy. Contact us today before you commit to 3 months to a year of surgical recovery time. We can get you back on your feet.