Spinal decompression is an FDA-approved therapy used to treat back and neck pain. It has been around for more than 10 years, and practitioners sometimes offer it as an alternative to surgery. The patients who undergo spinal decompression most commonly struggle with herniated, degenerated, or slipped discs.
Since this treatment has become more prevalent in recent years, many people wonder what spinal decompression is and how often they should do it to reach the best results. Read on to find out.
How Does Spinal Decompression Work?
Before you begin spinal decompression therapy, a doctor straps a harness around your truck and another one around your pelvis. Then they instruct you to lay down face up or face down on the table that’s controlled by a computer. The doctor operates the computer, modifying the instructions based on your unique needs.
During spinal decompression therapy, your spine is gently stretched to remove the pressure from this part of your body and allow it to realign into its normal position. That relieves the stress of your spinal discs, surrounding nerves, and other tissues.
This stretching motion also allows the proper flow of fluid that brings oxygen and other nutrients into the spinal discs, which speeds up the healing process.
What Conditions Does Spinal Decompression Treat?
Spinal decompression is used to treat:
- Herniated discs
- Slipped discs
- Degenerative discs
- Sciatica
- Pinched nerves
- Spinal stenosis
It can also be utilized in the treatment of other conditions causing your back pains and aches.
How Often Should I Do Spinal Decompression?
The frequency of your spinal decompression therapy depends on the severity of your condition. Your doctor will assess the state of your spine and then propose an adequate treatment plan.
The typical duration of spinal decompression therapy is four to six weeks, and it includes 12-20 appointments. That means you may undergo 2-5 sessions each week.
Most people feel significant pain relief after the first few sessions. However, you need to go through the whole duration of the treatment to experience the full spectrum of benefits and reach long-lasting pain relief.
Each appointment lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, and most patients feel no discomfort or pain during the procedure. Your practitioner may combine other treatment modalities, such as heat therapy or electric stimulations, depending on your condition. They can also suggest stretches and exercises to improve your muscle strength and reduce the chances of injuries.
Are There Any Side Effects to Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression is generally considered safe, and most patients don’t experience any side effects. Some people feel slight discomfort during their initial treatments, but the feeling quickly disappears. Mild muscle spasms are another possible side effect, but they are rare.
People with recent fractures, metal implants in the spine, tumors, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or advanced osteoporosis shouldn’t do spinal decompression. The same goes for pregnant women.
Where to Get Spinal Decompression?
If you want to start your spinal decompression therapy, you should visit the Spring Chiropractic center. We are located in Spring, Texas, and our world-renowned experts, Dr. Bolz or Dr. Rivas, are looking forward to meeting you and designing a treatment that will allow you to live a pain-free life. Click here to schedule an appointment.