Spinal Decompression Therapy

spinal stenosis

So, what's all the hype about spinal decompression? It seems like the hot topic in the area of back pain these days. Well, research on this technique goes back a long way but governmental research on it is relatively recent which is why it's become more mainstream. Basically, anyone who has back, neck, arm or leg pain that is the result of a bulging or herniated disc can benefit from some form of spinal decompression therapy. Specific conditions that you may recognize from the names (such as sciatica, herniated or bulging or sequestrated discs, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, spondylosis and even failed back surgeries) may be helped by spinal decompression.

So, how does this decompression work? Well, the disc is a contained unit. This means that if it gets wider (bulges) it has to get shorter and conversely, if it gets taller then it must get thinner. The center of the disc is called the nucleus pulposa and is roughly the consistency of the jelly in a jelly donut. I've got your attention now don't I?! Anyway, if the tough outer rings of the disc (called the annulus fibrosa) develop tears (either from wear and tear or from a large amount of pressure forcing the nucleus through the rings) then the nucleus starts "bulging" out through. Basically what decompression does is put traction on that particular disc making it "taller" which in turn creates a negative pressure inside the disk drawing the nucleus back toward the center of the disc making it "thinner." This reduces or eliminates the bulge thus taking the pressure off of the nerves.

Research suggests that the best results are achieved with 20 sessions over a six week period however in our experience we typically see slightly quicker results than this. Also, it's important to remember that this is referring to the "best" results and that the actual pain is normally greatly reduced or eliminated in a shorter time frame.

The typical costs of spinal decompression therapy range from around $2000 to $6000 which sounds fairly expensive but in reality is very inexpensive when all factors are considered. One of those factors is that in researching this, it seems as though the insurance co pays involved with the surgery option may be more than $2000 so that amount is still being paid by the patients. Now, this is taking into consideration all of the surgery, hospital and therapy cost but NOT the lost time off of work or any of those associated costs. Another factor to consider is the risk of the surgery itself. Finally, one of the most important factors to consider, especially in light of the above facts is that the Journal of the American Medical Association recently contained a study showing that surgery is no more effective than non-invasive treatments (read "chiropractic, spinal decompression, etc.") for patients with lumbar disc herniations causing sciatica!!