Herniated Disc and Spinal Decompression - A Non Invasive Treatment Option

spinal stenosis

Herniated disc and spinal decompression therapy offers a non-invasive therapy for people suffering from debilitating back pain. Traditional traction devices that were used in the past to treat back pain have been replaced by technologically advanced herniated disc and spinal decompression tables.

What are the causes of a herniated disc?

In between the vertebrae in your spine can be found supple, spongy, spinal discs that are protected by a tougher outer layer. This layer surrounds the soft nucleus that allows for cushioning and the smooth movement of your spine, not unlike shock absorbers for your automobile. When one of the spinal discs becomes compressed between the bones in the spine, it can make the spongy material of the disc become herniated. This bulging of the disc causes friction from direct contact with nerve endings. Herniated disc is also commonly called slipped or ruptured disc.

As the body grows older, especially if a person leads a sedentary lifestyle without much activity to keep the spine limber and flexible, the discs can degenerate and become flattened. The spinal disc can become brittle if the degeneration is allowed to progress, which can make them more prone to injury.

A herniated disc can be caused by a strain from twisting the back rigorously. This injury can occur anywhere on the spine, but it most commonly happens in the lower spine or the neck. The patient will feel pain in the location where the disc has been ruptured.

Symptoms of herniated disc

There are several tell-tale signs of a herniated disc. The patient begins to feel shooting pains from the back down into the legs. There may also be tingling and numb sensations in the legs and feet from the nerves being pressed down. The pain can vary from mild to intense depending on the location of the injured disc and degree of injury.

Decompression: a safe, non-surgical treatment option

Spinal Decompression is a new technology that is safe, non-invasive, and approved by the FDA to treat spinal conditions such as herniated disc and other painful conditions effecting the spine. Designed to relieve the pressure from the herniated disc and compressed nerves by slowly and gently stretching the spine at a certain angle followed by cycles of partial relaxation. This pattern of distraction and relaxation creates a "vacuum effect" or negative intra-disc pressure.

Relieving the compression on the disc may cause the herniated or bulging disc to retract or get sucked back in the protective annulus thus removing the pressure from the nerve that was causing the pain and numbness.

The repetition of gently stretching and then relaxing the spinal discs over the course of several visits to the Chiropractor's office, allows oxygen and nutritious fluids to flow into the disc allowing the damaged discs to begin the healing process.

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical treatment for specific back pain conditions, including:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet syndrome
• Herniated disc
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Neuralgia
• Pinched nerve
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis

Is decompression a painful procedure?

Spinal decompression is a painless, non-invasive therapy that relieves back pain. The patient will be strapped in to the machine and the straps are connected to the computer, which gently separates the vertebrae with a precise stretching force. The treatment is so comfortable that many patients actually fall asleep.

Spinal decompression machines are sensitive and can adjust the decompression rate in response to any pain the patient might experience during treatment.