What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

The American Spinal Decompression Association says that there is a possible 70 percent chance that spinal decompression can benefit certain individuals suffering with chronic back and/or spinal problems, dependent on individual circumstances. Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive spinal treatment that can be an alternative to surgery, for some individual cases of chronic back pain and spinal disorders.

Features

• Spinal decompression therapy is an FDA approved treatment that can have a positive long-term effect on chronic back pain. The decompression works by gently stretching the spine very slowly, which helps to relieve some or all pressure that has been placed upon compressed discs and individual vertebrae. This positive effect does not usually happen with a single treatment and this particular holistic therapy generally requires several regular treatments for lasting effect.

Types

• The types of common back conditions that are often treated with spinal decompression therapy are degenerative disc disease, facet joint syndrome, sciatica and herniated disc. All of these conditions benefit from the release of pressure, creating further space between each focal point of the vertebrae or spine. There are other chronic back conditions that may benefit from spinal decompression therapy but it is advisable to seek reliable medical advice before attempting this treatment.

Method

• A treatment of spinal decompression therapy involves the use of a decompression table, a qualified back specialist and a computer. The receiver or patient is strapped on to the decompression table. The decompression table is then moved in a series on one-minute intervals, while the computer controls what is known as the distraction force. The spine is slowly pulled apart, creating a small vacuum between each of the vertebrae, pulling the spine and discs back toward a normal painless structure.

Considerations

• Spinal decompression therapy is a form of traction therapy that has been around for decades, as a non-surgical alternative treatment. Yet, this particular treatment can be expensive costing anywhere from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, per individual. Although spinal decompression therapy can be expensive, it is a far more effective form of modern day traction.

Expert Insight

• The Department of Neurosurgery and Radiology in the Rio Grande Regional Hospital and Health Sciences Center, University of Texas, completed a study that showed that during spinal decompression therapy a sufficient measurement of pressure release is performed and can help to alleviate pressure within the spinal vertebrae.