Your spine houses your spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that carries messages to and from your brain. If these nerves are compressed or damaged, this can lead to limited movement in the limbs or total paralysis. The discs between each vertebra serve as shock absorbers for the spine and keep it together as you move about. They are made of tough, fibrous material surrounded by an outer ring and a gel-like center. Due to years of wear and tear, these discs can start to wear out and even collapse, putting pressure on the nerves. These conditions cause back pain and leg pain. It can result in numbness, weakness, or loss of sensation in the arms and legs.
Treatment for these problems can vary widely. Drugs and surgery are often used. Surgery involves removing the damaged tissue, sometimes leading to more problems. Alternative methods of treating spinal problems have been sought. Such methods include massage, yoga, and other forms of exercise. If you are suffering from spinal stenosis and looking for a way to treat it without surgery, spinal decompression therapy may be an option.
What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Spinal decompression therapy reduces spinal pressure by moving the discs back into place and realigning the joints. This can be done through traction, a method that uses stretching and pulling to relieve stress on the spine. A traction table is used to accomplish this, which can be either manual or motorized. The table has several settings that allow it to be adjusted according to individual needs, with an inbuilt computer controlling the action. The traction table is mounted on a base. For manual therapy, the user moves the table from side to side, from front to back, or even up and down to treat all spine areas. Several types of surgical motors provide additional assistance for motorized therapy by opening certain joints in conjunction with tensioning muscles.
Procedure
You will need to see your doctor to find out if this therapy can help you and is safe. A chiropractor or doctor that specializes in spinal problems should administer the procedure. They will test your flexibility, strength, and range of motion and ensure that there are no injuries present in the spine. Next, you will be placed on the table, which is often custom-made for each patient. It is prepped with a gel pad for comfort. In some cases, the table may be heated. The practitioner will remove any clothing above the waist, and your body will be covered with a sheet. Your head may remain uncovered unless there is an injury present. The practitioner will make sure you are comfortable before beginning the therapy.
The practitioner will then turn on the traction unit and use it to lift the device. It is vital to keep your body still while this takes place. Depending on which type of traction you are using, you may feel as if you are being stretched or as if there is resistance at various points in your body. You may feel some tingling or numbness in the areas being worked on. This is normal, as it signifies that you are stimulating the nerves in those areas. The process can be uncomfortable initially, but it should eventually become tolerable with practice.
What Type of Patient Typically Receives this Form of Therapy?
Athletes, office workers, seniors, people injured at work, auto accident injury victims, and anyone suffering from back pain may benefit from this form of therapy. Spinal decompression therapy may help athletes’ performance, flexibility, pain, and muscle soreness. Office workers or anyone sitting for long periods may be in danger of developing spinal compression through the pressure from prolonged sitting. Seniors typically deal with spinal issues as their bodies age, and their discs begin to deteriorate. The therapy can help slow down this process and strengthen muscles and tendons, resulting in better flexibility and range of motion. Accident victims can also benefit from spinal decompression therapy if they have some spine-related trauma.
Common Conditions and Symptoms Treated with Spinal Decompression Therapy
Sciatica is a condition that affects the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down the legs. A herniated disk or spinal stenosis causes it. A herniated disk occurs when one of the disks in your spine is damaged and protrudes outwards, putting pressure on surrounding tissues. Spinal stenosis happens as bones in your spine fuse together as you age, squeezing surrounding tissues and pressing on nerves.
Other conditions include bulging discs and degenerative or auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and bone tumors. Spinal decompression therapy can also help with general aches and pains in the upper body, including neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, and even finger pain.
Benefits of Using Spinal Decompression Therapy in Addition to Chiropractic Care
Through spinal decompression therapy, you can reduce back pain by decompressing pressure on nerves, muscles, and discs in your spine. It is easier to treat problems through this type of therapy as there are fewer risks involved. You can often return to work with or without trouble after undergoing spinal decompression therapy. Other benefits include the reduction of muscle spasms, improvement in muscle strength, and improved flexibility.
Benefits can be seen within weeks or months, but it can take up to six months to begin seeing back pain relief. Spinal Decompression Therapy helps to improve your circulation by increasing blood flow to the area and allowing your heart to pump more efficiently. You will feel less tired after treatment as a result. You can also move more freely and possibly even notice a change in your posture if you have upper back, neck, and shoulder issues.
How to Prepare for Your Procedure
Spinal decompression therapy is relatively simple to prepare for. The practitioner will give you a list of instructions to follow leading up to the procedure. Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, ibuprofen, or aspirin within three days of your treatment. These medications can thin the blood and cause internal bleeding or side effects such as stomach ulcers and bleeding in the brain. You must also avoid heavy lifting, sitting for long periods, and exercising for 72 hours before your treatment.
Avoid smoking and alcohol. These can cause side effects such as nausea, constipation, and vomiting. Drink plenty of water leading up to your treatment. During the procedure, the practitioner will often explain what they are doing to alleviate any concerns or worries you might have. Talk to them about any questions or concerns you might have, especially if this is your first time undergoing this type of treatment.
How to Take Care of Yourself After the Procedure
Take time to relax and recuperate. Reduce stress and rest as much as possible before returning to work or daily activities. You may experience some swelling in the area worked on during your procedure, but this should go away within a few days or a few weeks at most. Continue taking your regularly prescribed medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Consult your physician if you have questions or concerns about how you feel or what is happening during the treatment. Take it easy on your body. Avoid doing anything that can cause a strain on your back, such as lifting heavy objects or twisting your spine at an odd angle. Keep your spine warm after the procedure by regularly wearing a heating pad and a hot shower.
Spinal decompression therapy is combined with chiropractic care to help patients improve their flexibility, range of motion, and overall health. You can see improvements after only a few treatment sessions, empowering you to return to your daily activities more efficiently. A trained professional can help you to determine if this type of therapy is right for your needs. Contact us today to get started on the road to recovery.
