Empowered Doctor

Spinal Decompression FAQs

Why Spinal Disc Decompression Works:

back pain Spinal discsThis FDA approved technology relieves pain by enlarging the space between the discs. The negative pressure of decompression releases pressure that builds on to the disc and nerves, allowing the herniated and bulging disc to eventually go back into normal position. Decompression is the only treatment that is truly most effective for severe cases of herniation, degeneration, arthritis, stenosis and pressure on the nerve root. According to a clinical study performed by the Orthopedic Technological Review in 2004, said that 86% of all cases experienced spinal pain relief with disc decompression.

 

What is the difference between decompression and traction?

Many clinicians specializing in lumbar spine pathology have criticized traditional traction. Traction fails in many cases because it causes muscular stretch receptors to fire, which then cause para-spinal muscles to contract. This muscular response actually causes an increase in intradiscal pressure. On the other hand, genuine decompression is achieved by gradual and calculated increases of distraction forces to spinal structures, utilizing various degrees of distraction forces.

A highly specialized computer must modulate the application of distraction forces in order to achieve the ideal effect. The system uses applies a gentle, curved angle pull which yields far greater treatment results that a less comfortable, sharp angle pull. Distraction must be offset by cycles of partial relaxation.

The system continuously monitors spinal resistance and adjusts distraction forces accordingly. A specific lumbar segment can be targeted for treatment by changing the angle of distraction. This patented technique of decompression may prevent muscle spasm and patient guarding. Constant activity monitoring takes place at a rate of 10,000 times per second, making adjustments not perceived by the eye as many as 20 times per second via its fractional metering and monitoring system.

Genuine decompression also involves the use of a special pelvic harness that supports the lumbar spine during therapy. Negative pressure within the disc is maintained throughout the treatment session. With genuine decompression, the pressure within the disc space can actually be lowered to about -150 mmHg. As a result, the damaged disc will be rehydrated with nutrients and oxygen.

 

Isn’t decompression just a fancy name for a traction machine?

No. There is a big different between traction, distraction and decompression. Traction has been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The problem with traction as it is known today is that it is not always beneficial. In 1998, the Scientific American rated traction to be of little or no value in the examination of efficacious therapies for lower back pain. This finding is consistent with many studies that report traction can often times signal a nociceptive splinting response and put a patient’s back muscles in spasm, resisting any attempts to effect a change on the disc proper.

Distraction, a term used to describe a flexion distraction technique, attempts to reposition the spine from the offending lesion. This technique has been shown to be very effective, even though potentially damaging to the person performing the technique and largely dependent on the skill of the technician. Like traction, distraction procedures are limited in the ability to reduce the intradiscal pressure, or produce a negative pressure within the disc imbibing fluid, nutrients and creating an environment for repair.

Decompression therefore is an event - a combination of restraint, angle position and equipment engineering. One can experience traction without decompression, but not decompression without traction. Traction is a machine - Decompression is an event.

 

What Result I Expect?

Many patients with lower back syndromes may experience pain relief as early as the third treatment session. Comparison of pre-treatment MRI’s with post-treatment MRI’s has shown a 50% reduction in the size and extent of herniation. In clinical studies, 86% of patients reported relief of back pain with the our system. Within the past five years, some private practice clinicians have reported success rates as high as 90%.

 

What Time Commitments Are Required By Patients?

Each treatment session averages 25 to 30 minutes in duration (research has established that optimum results are achieved with sessions that incorporate 10 to 15 decompression/relaxation cycles). On average, one daily session for 20-30 treatments is necessary for patient self-healing to occur.

Herniated discs generally respond within 20 sessions, while patients with degenerated discs may need ongoing therapy at regulated intervals to remain pain free. Still other patients, due to lifestyle or occupation, may also require maintenance therapy. Patients with posterior facet syndromes may achieve complete remission with 10 or fewer sessions. Research has demonstrated that most patients achieve full remission from pain after the initial treatment regimen.

 

What is the typical diagnosis?

Since non-specific low back pain and cervical pain generally encompass a myriad of mechanical failures, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissue that encroach or produce pressure on the nerves, the term intervertebral disc syndrome can be used. This diagnosis does not necessarily require (although recommended) an MRI to confirm the presence of a disc involvement

 

Who can benefit from using Disc Decompression Therapy?

The following would be inclusion criteria for the Decompression Therapy (1) Pain due to herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is more than four weeks old; (2) Recurrent pain from a failed back surgery that is more than six months old; (3) Persistent pain from degenerated discs not responding to four weeks of therapy; (4) Patients available for four weeks of treatment protocol; and (5) Patient at least 18 years of age.

These indications are ideal candidates for enrollment into our program and have the potential of achieving quality outcomes in the treatment of their back pain: (1) Nerve Compression; (2) Lumbar Disorders; (3) Lumbar Strains; (4) Sciatic Neuralgia; (5) Herniated Discs; (6) Injury of the Lumbar Nerve Root; (7) Degenerative Discs; (8) Spinal Arthritis; (9) Low Back Pain w/ or w/o Sciatica; (10) Degenerative Joint Disease; (11) Myofasctois Syndrome; (12) Disuse Atrophy; (13) Lumbar Instability; (14) Acute Low Back Pain; and (15) Post-Surgical Low Back Pain.

Lastly, the system should be utilized with patients with low back pain, with or without radiculopathy who have failed conventional therapy (physiotherapy and chiropractic) and who are considering surgery. Surgery should only be considered following a reasonable trial of Decompression therapy protocols.

 

What conditions are contraindicated?

Patients with the following problems or symptoms are usually excluded from using the Spinal Decompresion therapy: Pregnancy, Prior lumbar surgical fusion, Metastatic cancer, Severe osteoporosis, Spondylolisthesis, Compression fracture of lumbar spine below L-1, Pars defect, Aortic aneurysm, Pelvic or abdominal cancer, Disc space infections, Severe peripheral neuropathy, Hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction, Cauda Equina syndrome, Tumors, osteod osteoma, multiple myeloma, osteosarcoma, Infection, osteomyelitis, meningitis, virus, and HNP (sequestered/free floating fragment).

How long is each session and what is the treatment protocol?

Each session on the Decompression equipment is approximately 25-40 minutes long (45 minute sessions include set-up and take-off), accompanied by 15 minutes of stimulation, heat packs and manipulation. The patient comes for 20-30 visits over a 4-6 week period. The doctor will provide a complete copy of the Spinal decompression treatment protocol upon request.

 

How long before a patient experiences change?

Often times a patient experiences some relief within the first few (3-7) treatments. Usually by the 12th to 15th treatment all patients have reported some remission of symptoms. Patients not showing significant improvement by the 15th to 18th session may be referred for further diagnostic evaluation.

 

Does Decompression Therapy work for everyone?

Eighty-to-ninety percent of patients who have been properly selected and comply with the Spinal Disc Decompression protocol will have good-to-excellent outcomes. Patient’s conditions that do not respond quickly to the therapy are often unable to be helped by anything quickly. Patients vary in age, sex and body morphology and may require counseling in weight loss, nutrition and other lifestyle changes.

Featured Specialists

Dr. Bruce Shannahoff, D.C.
Low Back Pain Doctor Los Angeles, California

Dr. Bruce Shannahoff, D.C.

Valley Spinal Decompression Center

Call (888) 870-2099
5363 Balboa Blvd. Suite 430
Encino, CA 91316

Are you suffering from either chronic or minor Low Back Pain and are seeking a friendly practitioner that you can trust? Dr. Bruce Shannahoff, DC has built his reputation as a true professional in individual care over twenty years of experience in dedicating his life to treating lower back pain at his Valley Spinal Decompression Center facility in Los Angeles, California.

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Dr. Steven Shoshany
Herniated Disc/ Bulging Disc NYC

Dr. Steven Shoshany

New York Integrative Medical and Rehab

Call (888) 435-7155
632 Broadway, Ste 303 (btw. Bleecker & Houston)
Manhattan, NY 10012

Have a herniated disc, and looking for a doctor in New York City? Dr. Steven Shoshany and his team of professionals at NY Integrative Medical and Rehab, in Manhattan, NYC can help treat those ailments with spinal decompression. Dr. Shoshany and his therapists specialize in non-surgical treatment options, caring for the patient holistically, rather than simply focusing on the symptoms. New York Integrative Medical and Rehab is conveniently located in Manhattan, NYC.

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Dr. Steven S. Moalemi
Relief from Back Pain Manhattan

Dr. Steven S. Moalemi

Empire Physical Medicine & Pain Management

Call (888) 898-7795
551 5th Avenue Ste. 525
New York, NY 10176

If back pain is causing you to toss and turn or make even the most mundane tasks seem impossible, then it's time to you turned to Dr. Steven Moalemi. At Empire Physical Medicine and Pain Management in Manhattan, Dr. Steven Moalemi is a licensed medical professional who can give you the treatment you need to receive relief from back pain. You can return to nights of uninterrupted sleep and full active days by undergoing treatment at Empire Physical.

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Dr. Jonathan Donath
Upper Back/ Neck Pain White Plains, New York

Dr. Jonathan Donath

Westchester Spinal Decompression Center

Call 914-908-5562
1241 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains, NY 10605

If upper back or neck pain is causing days and nights full of headaches, muscle spasms, tension, restricted mobility and a host of other problematic symptoms, then it is urgent that you seek proper chiropractic attention immediately. Just the candidate to deliver the care you need is Dr. Jonathan Donath, DC, MS at Westchester Spinal Decompression Center in White Plains, New York. He and his team are well equipped to handle your case with skill and clinical care, ensuring that the road towards your recovery is as pleasant, effective, and comfortable as possible.

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Dr. Ronald Spiaggia
Herniated Disc Somerset County, New Jersey

Dr. Ronald Spiaggia

Performance Rehabilitation & Sports Injury Center

Call (888) 282-1203
459 Watchung Avenue
Watchung, NJ 07069

When diagnosed with a herniated disc one should waste no time in getting it treated so that he/ she can return to daily activities before its too late. Open surgical options are considered extremely risky and a non surgical option should be chosen to avoid further deterioration of the spine. Dr. Ronald Spiaggia, DC of Somerset, NJ is a Board Certified chiropractic physician who specializes in spinal decompression therapy.

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Dr. Gordon Kuang, DC
Neck Pain Brooklyn, New York

Dr. Gordon Kuang, DC

Dr. Gordon Kuang, DC

Call (888) 248-1773
8804 3rd Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11209

Is agonizing neck pain preventing you from turning your head, looking around or doing something else simple? If so, there is something you can do to treat your condition. At the office of Dr. Gordon Kuang, DC, Dr. Kuang offers quality chiropractic care as well as cervical decompression therapy that will give your neck a substantial amount of pain relief, so that you can resume normal, everyday functions.

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Lawrence Hospital Center - Medical Imaging
Medical Imaging Manhattan, NYC

 Lawrence Hospital Center - Medical Imaging

Lawrence Hospital Center

Call (888) 837-8158
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708

Advanced medical imaging can make all the difference to your condition. Lawrence Hospital Medical Imaging Center offers state-of the-art medical imaging equipment. For a variety of Medical imaging services from a reliable and experienced staff in Manhattan, NYC the best option is Lawrence Hospital Medical Imaging Center.

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Dr. James Dautel
Chiropractor Fernandina Beach, Florida

Dr. James Dautel

Orange Park Chiropracic Center

Call 888-245-0205
784 Blanding Boulevard
Orange Park, Florida 32065

Have you been searching for a chiropractor in Florida? Dr. James Dautel can provide you with the quality service you expect. He and his associates at the Orange Park Chiropractic Center are dedicated to making sure that all of their patients feel significantly better then when they came to the facility. They are conveniently located in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

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Austin Chiropractic Center
Austin Herniated Disc

 Austin Chiropractic Center

Austin Chiropractic Center

Call 512-371-6936
6800 West Gate Blvd, Ste 117
Austin, TX 78745

A herniated disc is painful, and it can be quite disruptive in the flow of both your work and home life. This is why receiving the right chiropractic treatment is so essential towards your wellbeing. Dr. Cynthia Vaughn, DC at Austin Chiropractic Center in Austin is just the chiropractor to turn to when in need of quality chiropractic care that is sure to meet your standards. She specializes in a number of manipulative techniques and procedures that are designed to make the healing process as efficient and comfortable as possible.

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Dr. Travis Rader DC
Plano Spinal Decompression

Dr. Travis Rader DC

North Dallas Spine Center

Call (972) 351-8964
5045 Lorimar Dr. Ste 140
Plano, Texas 75093

Severe pain steals the joy out of life by limiting what you can do on a day to day basis. Any hope of an active life is stripped away. But there is a real solution to pain. Spinal Decompression therapy has given many people a new lease on life, and Dr. Travis Rader of the North Dallas Spine Center near Plano, Texas has experience in restoring function to those in severe pain.

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Dr. Michael Bishop
Back Pain Relief Melbourne, FL

Dr. Michael Bishop

Chiropractic Life Center

Call (888) 308-4517
400 Barton Boulevard, Suite 201
Rockledge, Florida 32955

Are you suffering from debilitating back pain that just won't seem to heal itself? Are you interested in treating your pain through an effective and alternative approach? Then you should definitely receive treatment at Chiropractic Life Center in Melbourne, FL, where Dr. Michael Bishop, DC and his team of professionals can deliver first-rate care that will provide you considerable back pain relief as well as the opportunity to live a normal and functional life again.

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Dr. Daniel Crews DC Dr. Kathryn Crews, DC
Back Pain Treatment Smithtown, Long Island

Dr. Daniel Crews DC Dr. Kathryn Crews, DC

Advanced Back Solutions

Call (888) 819-8088
267 East Main St, Suite B4
Smithtown, NY 11787

Severe back pain takes control of your life. It works its way into everything you care about. It takes away the things you love, but there is hope for a real solution. Drs. Kathryn Crews and Daniel Crews of Advanced Back Solutions in Smithtown, Long Island provide effective back pain treatment with spinal decompression therapy, a non-invasive treatment that repairs malfunctioning discs in the spine to reduce and relieve pain.

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Progressive Medical Centers of America
Doctor Gez Agolli

 Progressive Medical Centers of America

Progressive Medical Centers of America

Call (888) 802-4131
4646 North Shallowford Road
Atlanta, GA 30338

If you are dissatisfied with your current physician in dealing with chronic pain or simply a general disorder and live in the Atlanta area, look no further than Doctor Gez Agolli. Dr. Agolli is the founder of the Progressive Medical Centers in Atlanta and has advanced training in both traditional and complementary medicine in order to provide a full range of services. Dr. Agolli will work with you every step of the way in order to formulate a treatment plan that will be safe and effective in treating the source of your disorder.

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MedWell, L.L.C.
DRX 9000 Bergen County, NJ

 MedWell, L.L.C.

MedWell, L.L.C. Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy

Call (888) 820-2250
33 Central Ave
Midland Park, NJ 07432

Have you tried everything from pain killers to acupuncture in order to relieve your chronic back pain? If you haven't seen the results you'd like and surgery is not an option, the Chattanooga DTS Spinal Decompression System may hold the non-surgical solution you've been looking for. At MedWell, L.L.C. Pain Relief and Physical Therapy Center in Midland Park, Bergen County, New Jersey offers a full range of services using the Chattanooga DTS.

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Noam Sadovnik, D.C.
Manhattan WeightLoss

 Noam Sadovnik, D.C.

Call

NYC, NY 10128

Being a healthy body weight is important in maintaining sustainable wellbeing. If you have been looking for a Manhattan WeightLoss clinic that specializes in natural care as an effective means to a fitter self, Dr. Sadovnik's Renewal Center is ready to serve you in your every need. Dr. Noam Sadovnik, DC specializes in type of individual care that is incredibly rare to find in any medical center.

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Dr. Leif Choi, Chiropractor
Bulging Disc Portland, Oregon

Dr. Leif Choi, Chiropractor

Health Source Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab

Call (888) 836-8057
6163 SW Murray Blvd.
Beaverton, Oregon 97008

Spinal pain will follow you throughout your life if not treated promptly. If you live in the Portland, OR area, look no further and contact Dr. Leif Choi, D.C. of HealthSource of Beaverton Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab today. Using only the latest and safest technology available on the market, Dr. Choi has helped many patients undo the damage of a bulging disc.

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Spinal Decompression of Minnesota, Specific Family Chiropractic, LLC
Back Pain Treatment near 3M Corporation in Ramsey County

 Spinal Decompression of Minnesota, Specific Family Chiropractic, LLC

Spinal Decompression of Minnesota

Call (888) 729-1772
2785 White Bear Ave. Suite 108
Maplewood, Minnesota 55109

If you're in agony over constant back pain, then leaving your condition alone is just not going to make the problem any better. The only way to put an end to the pain that follows your every move is to receive quality back pain treatment that is right for you. At Spinal Decompression of Minnesota/Specific Family Chiropractic near 3M Corporation in Ramsey County, Dr. Jeffrey Lavell, DC and his team have both the experience and the qualifications to deliver world class care that is sure to ease your pain and change your quality of life for the better.

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Dr. Michael Mulvaney, DC
Spinal Decompression Therapy in Glen Allen, Virginia

Dr. Michael Mulvaney, DC

Spinal Correction Center of Richmond

Call 888-804-5326
8536 Patterson Ave.
Richmond, Virginia 23229

You've had MRI's, taken medication, and you may have even tried surgery but you haven't found relief from your back pain. Dr. Michael Mulvaney, DC is a chiropractor who offers nonsurgical, noninvasive treatments to those suffering from this disabling condition. The Spinal Correction Center of Richmond offers hope to patients seeking spinal decompression therapy in Glen Allen, Virginia and the surrounding area.

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Arizona Back Institute
Find a Back Pain Doctor Arizona

 Arizona Back Institute

Arizona Back Institute

Call (888) 812-6277
8575 E. Princess Drive Suite 215
Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Are you a back pain sufferer, who can't remember the last time you led a pain-free life? Then you probably haven't been treated by the right medical professional. At the Arizona Back Institute in Arizona, you can find a back pain doctor with the clinical expertise and qualifications necessary to deliver quality care that will give you the considerable relief you've always wanted.

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Dr. Howard Goodman
Muscle Condition, Manhattan, NYC

Dr. Howard Goodman

Herniated Disc Center

Call (888) 292-7798
15 Park Avenue (Btw 34-35th St)
New York, New York 10016

Don't let your muscles restrain your active lifestyle! If you are suffering from muscle conditions, there is effective treatment available. Dr. Howard Goodman, at the Herniated Disc Center in Manhattan, NYC, dispenses quality care for all muscle-related ailments.

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