Will it work for you?
Have you been wondering if spinal decompression therapy is going to work for you? During spinal decompression therapy a person is asked to lie on down on a traction table or any motorised device. This helps stretch the spine and in turn bring relief from any aches and pains.
It’s a nonsurgical form of decompression therapy. The aim of the therapy is to provide relief from back pain and to manage it easily. This is done in the same manner as chiropractors and physiotherapists have been doing in the past. It’s one of the best ways to treat herniated, bulging or degenerating discs.
Spinal decompression works in the following ways
- It can create a negative space between the discs which causes the herniated discs to retract or get back into proper position.
- Creates pockets of low pressure in the disc which allows materials like healing nutrients pass through into the disc, thus helping it heal better.
There are many people who have found relief from back pain due to herniated or bulging disc by undergoing spinal decompression therapy. However, there is not a great deal of scientific evidence which proves that the therapy actually works just as well as other invasive procedures.
What to expect at a spinal decompression session
Patients are expected to lie down on the traction able which has a moveable lower half. The patient than has a harness attached to the legs which binds their lower body firmly. The upper part of the table remains in a stationary position while the lower half moves abut to provide the necessary traction.
The patient can be place in both a supine, face up position as well as a face down position. This would depend upon the kind of traction the therapist is looking to provide.
The major aim is to provide a stretching session which can help relieve the pain. The movement of the traction table shouldn’t cause any pain or discomfort.
This form of treatment is usually advised for all kinds of lower back pain. However, it is completely up to the patient to whether go for the decompression therapy or not. The therapy can last anywhere from fifteen to thirty sessions. Each session can last about forty five minutes. All sessions are carried out in the therapist’s office.
The therapist might also administer other treatments along with the traction. These treatment includes electric stimulation, ultra sound and using hot and cold compresses, including massage therapy as well. The patient is also advised to make some dietary changes, incorporate drinking more than a liter of water.
Anyone who suffers from lower back pain, sciatica or neck pain due to herniated or bulging disc can undergo decompression therapy. However this spine stretching is not recommended for women who are pregnant. Also people who have suffered from broken vertebrae are also advised to forego this treatment. Patients who suffer from spinal fusion won’t benefit from the therapy either.
For more information on spinal decompression therapy, make sure you contact a chiropractor.