Non-surgical Spinal Decompression - An Optimal Treatment Option for Chronic Low Back Pain

By: Healthquest Spine Care  09/18/2012
Keywords: Back Pain Treatment, brooklyn physical therapy, chiropractic new york city,

A Minimally Invasive and Effective Procedure

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a condition that can disrupt your routine life, causing a great deal of distress. Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy has been proven to be highly effective in treating low back pain, bringing the much needed relief to patients.  Studies in this field reveal that it is an optimal treatment option for chronic low back pain that is associated with nerve compression and herniated disks.
 
The severe pain that occurs at the lower back side of the spine can even hinder general ambulation and movement. Non-surgical spinal decompression, done with the help of a spinal decompression machine, can substantially alleviate the pain caused by conditions such as posterior facet syndrome, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, foramenal stenosis, disc hernia, radiculopathy, and sciatica.

How Is Spinal Decompression Performed?

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is a safe procedure done to therapeutically reduce the intra-discal pressure that causes LBP. In order to perform the procedure, the patient is made to comfortably lie down on a high-tech decompression table; a set of padded straps is comfortably put around the waist and another around the lower chest.  A certain amount of distraction force is then applied to the spinal structures in a graduated, precise manner. The technique involves alternate distraction and relaxation cycles.  The procedure gently separates the vertebrae from each other, creating a vacuum or negative intra-discal pressure within the discs that are targeted.   The negative pressure helps to pull back the herniated disc material back into the disc. The procedure also helps the flow of water, nutrient-rich fluids and oxygen into the disc and this promotes healing.

Understand Its Benefits

When compared to a painful surgical procedure, the benefits associated with non surgical spinal decompression therapy are numerous. Here are a few among them:

• Safe and painless treatment
• No medication is needed
• Significant improvement even from the first treatment session
• Customized treatment plan is available to meet individual needs

To achieve long term benefits, you need to undergo multiple sessions of spinal decompression treatment over a period of around two to six weeks. Each session lasts around 20 – 25 minutes.

The patient has to undergo follow-up treatments and exercises on completing the spinal decompression procedure.  Passive treatments such as electrical stimulation, heat and cold pack, and ultrasound therapy are used to accelerate the healing process. Prior to a treatment plan, check with your physician to know whether non-surgical spinal decompression is an ideal treatment option for chronic low back pain in your case.