What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal Decompression is a non-invasive, non-surgical technology where a patient is placed onto an instrument which belts them in and separates their lower body from their upper body. This allows for pressure to be relieved on certain joints and structures in either the lumbar or cervical regions of the spine. The treatment lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of device being used. Patients are usually placed on a protocol that is software driven.

Candidates for spinal decompression are patients that are usually suffering with a neck or low back pain issue. This treatment is typically for someone who has a long term condition, greater than 4 to 6 weeks, and has perhaps already seen a doctor or had an MRI. Patients who undergo this treatment are diagnosed with a herniated disc, degenerative disc problems, sciatica related to disc problems, or spinal stenosis.

Patients typically undergo other forms of therapies such as an epidural which may or may not have helped with residual pain. Some patients are also recommended to have surgery and this is the type of treatment they consider before undergoing a highly invasive procedure.

Typical post-treatment experience for the patient is a little bit of soreness in the area of back pain. Around 15 to 20 minutes of stretching with spinal decompression is probably equivalent to working out in the gym for thirty minutes to an hour, for that specific area. Following treatment, the recommendation is to ice the area and rest for 20 minutes. The patient typically feels better in the morning.

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