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Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is a non-invasive, non-surgical therapy to treat severe and chronic back pain, resulting from different health conditions. Such back pains can be the end result of a pressure exerted by an expanded spinal disc to the spinal nerves, or it could also be a result of several arthritic issues. There are actually a lot of health conditions that require this treatment. The following sections will examine these conditions and their implications for successful decompression treatment.

Herniated Disc

Among all the conditions that call for disc decompression therapy, herniated disc is the most common. This health condition happens when the spinal disc is compressed, thereby exerting pressure on the spinal nerves, which then result in an excruciating pain. The decompression treatment relieves the pressure from the damaged or expanded disc, so that it goes back to its original size.

Degenerative Disc

Another common condition that requires this treatment is degenerative disc disease. Spinal compression can cause a loss of disc height that causes the vertebral bodies to be more compressed. When there is too much compression, the surrounding nerves will be constricted and this leads to the onset of back pain. Decompression therapy can help reduce the pressure on the degenerated disc, which then alleviates the painful symptoms.

Facet Syndrome

The facet joint syndrome is another condition treated with spinal decompression therapy. Unlike the first two conditions, this one has less promising results, since this is not due to a compressed disc. Basically, facet syndrome is brought by arthritic changes around the vertebral bones. These changes can cause severe back pain. While it is not a result of disc compression, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is still recommended in order to give more space in between the vertebral bones and therefore reducing pain.

How does Spinal Decompression Work?

Gone are the days of pulley and weight traction system to treat spinal disc injuries. The old-fashioned inversion therapy has only been proven to provide temporary pain relief, as it is more of a fitness therapy rather than treatment. Today, modern disc decompression therapy is being implemented in most hospitals all over the world.The process begins by placing the patient over a computer controlled spinal table, known as spinal decompression machine. Depending on the findings verified by MRI results, the physician may enter different modes of disc therapies. The machine tucks the patient in place and applies force to the affected area; this is where decompression occurs. The negative pressure exerted by the machine can help retract the expanded disc back to its original size. It also reinforces oxygen and helps regulate proper blood flow to the discs to relieve the pain and facilitate healing.

This therapy may also be accompanied by cold or hot compresses to provide immediate pain relief. Likewise, patients are advised to increase oral fluid intake, especially those with facet joint syndrome. Since this condition is brought about by arthritic issues, diet modification is highly recommended.

Sufferers may be required to undergo a series of therapies, depending on the severity of the condition. On average, a patient is advised to undergo twenty-eight treatment sessions, which will run for one to two months. Each session of spinal decompression therapy lasts only for thirty to forty minutes.