Living with chronic back pain can have a profound impact on daily life, affecting your ability to function and maintain obligations. Many back pain sufferers are looking for relief from herniated or bulging discs without the side effects, recovery time and post-op issues associated with lumbar surgical procedures. Spinal decompression treatments offer patients a non-surgical alternative with no downtime.
Let’s explore what spinal decompression means, the conditions treated, and if this treatment is right for you.
What is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression is a back pain treatment designed to relieve pressure on your herniated cervical or lumbar discs. Decompression can be done non-surgically or surgically. Pain management clinics often offer a noninvasive therapy for those seeking a more conservative approach that gently and slowly stretches the spine using a specialized traction table or device.[1]
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses gentle spine stretching to relieve pressure on the discs and nerves.[2] This therapy has been available for decades to help alleviate pain, improve mobility and facilitate the body’s natural healing process.[2]
What Conditions Does Spinal Decompression Treat?
The most common condition that patients seek disc decompression treatment for is herniated or bulging discs. Spinal disc decompression is effective in addressing these spinal issues:
- Herniated discs[3]
- Bulging or slipped discs[3]
- Sciatica[3]
- Degenerative disc disease[3]
- Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)[4]
- Spinal stenois[3]
How Often Do I Need Spinal Decompression Sessions?
How often you need spinal decompression sessions is up to your provider based on the severity of your condition and your response to the treatment. Typically, spinal decompression therapy involves multiple sessions scheduled over several weeks, with more frequent appointments in the beginning and then gradually spacing them out as improvement is made. Your pain management specialist will create a treatment strategy for you and monitor your progress throughout treatment.
Can I Resume Normal Activity Following Disc Decompression Therapy?
You may resume normal activities following spinal decompression therapy. However, listening to your body and following your healthcare provider’s recommendations is essential. Spinal decompression therapy is noninvasive and generally well-tolerated; however, some patients do experience some temporary soreness or discomfort. Avoiding strenuous activities or heavy lifting immediately after a session is advised to allow your body time to rest and recover.
How Long Do the Results Last?
The length of your decompression therapy results may vary depending on the severity of your condition, how you are responding to treatment and your lifestyle. Many patients may experience significant pain relief and symptom improvement after completing a course of sessions. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, proper posture, and weight management, helps support spinal health and extend the treatment benefits. Maintenance sessions may be required to maintain the therapy results.
Is Disc Decompression Therapy Right for You?
Determining whether disc decompression therapy is the appropriate treatment for you involves several factors. Ideal candidates usually experience chronic back or neck pain due to herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or sciatica. This therapy is not suitable for everyone, so a thorough evaluation by a qualified pain specialist is necessary. This assessment will consider your overall health, medical history, and response to previous treatments to determine the best course of action.
Explore Your Pain Relief Options in Your Area
If you feel spinal decompression therapy may be right for you, seek a reputable pain management clinic that specializes in this treatment. This ensures you are under the care of experienced healthcare professionals proficient in administering this therapy and providing comprehensive care for spinal conditions.
Through techniques like spinal decompression therapy, patients can experience significant pain relief, improved mobility, and enhanced quality of life without the need for invasive surgery. If you’re struggling with debilitating back or neck pain, consult with a pain management specialist to explore whether spinal decompression therapy is right for you.
Resources:
- WebMD Editorial Contributors. Spinal Decompression Therapy. WebMD [Internet]. Accessed May 01, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/spinal-decompression-therapy-surgical-nonsurgical
- Daniel DM. Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy: does the scientific literature support efficacy claims made in the advertising media? Chiropractic & Osteopathy [Internet]. 2007;15(1). Accessed May 01, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-15-7 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1887522/
- Spinal Decompression Therapy: Lower Back Pain & Back Pain Relief. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Accessed May 01, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10874-spinal-decompression-therapy
- Cleveland Clinic. Radiculopathy: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. 2022. Accessed May 01, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22564-radiculopathy
