Spinal Decompression Therapy is an Alternative to Surgery

You don't have to live in debilitating pain. Whether you have lower back pain, a pinched nerve, sciatica, neck pain, or a variety of symptoms related to damaged or degenerative discs, as well as syndromes of the lumbar and cervical spine, Spinal Decompression Therapy (SDT) may be for you.

There has been much information in the media recently about the merits of spinal decompression. In order to appreciate the merits of the new technology, you must first understand the condition it treats.

Spinal decompression puts negative pressure on each disc, to alleviate the pressure and pain associated with compressed discs. When a disc is compressed, the disk material moves from its place between each disc, into the space occupied by the sensitive nerves. When the nerves become crowded, the patient experiences great pain and pressure. This pain is not alleviated by even the strongest of pain medications. Many times, the condition warrants the use of highly addictive medications, such as morphine to mask the pain long enough to give the patient some relief. Long term however, the risk for addiction increases, while the source of the pain is untreated.

Surgery attempts to treat the condition by shaving the part of the disc to create room for the material that is crowding the nerves. Spinal decompression eliminates the source of the pain, therefore eliminating the need for risky spine surgery and the subsequent months of down time post surgery.

This gentle, non-surgical therapy can provide lower back pain relief, sciatica pain relief, and is a state-of-the-art therapy for neck pain relief, bulging or degenerative disc disease, and lumbar pain.

The gentle distractive forces of the SDT creates a decompression of the spine with unloading due to distraction and proper positioning, to improve blood flow and nutrient exchange to the injured area. You'll experience several cycles of stretch and relaxation, which graduates to a peak over a period of several minutes.

Therapy sessions typically last less than 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 1 month, transitioning from passive to active treatments as you respond, with most patients feeling pain relief with as few as 6-10 treatments. Most patients are released from treatment after 6-8 weeks.

A complete program targeting the function of the stabilization muscles is a vital part of SDT. Exercise and adjunctive therapies such as  ATM2, muscle stimulation,  and massage can assist in rehabilitation of these structures. Our goal is to not only help heal the disc, but to also enhance muscular control and support of the back and neck.

 Clinical results of this type of therapy have been effective in over 80% of the patients treated and most patients find long-term relief or effective management of their pain when they complete the entire program of treatments.