What is Spinal Decompression?
Back pain is a very common condition that can interfere with everyday life. Patients with chronic back pain can find it negatively impacting their life from physical symptoms, as well as mental health symptoms. Many patients attempt a more conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, medication, or steroid injections, but sometimes it’s not enough. Spinal decompression therapy is a type of therapy used to relieve back pain and/or leg pain and involves stretching the spine using a traction table or similar motorized device.
How is Spinal Decompression Therapy Performed?
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical procedure performed by stretching and relaxing the spine intermittently in a controlled manner. The process creates pressure within the disc and is thought to pull the herniated or bulging disc material back into the disc. The process can also promote the passage of healing nutrients into the disc and fosters a better healing environment.
During a spinal decompression session, therapy for the lower back is performed on a motorized table, the lower half of which can move. A harness is then placed around the hips and is attached to the lower table near the feet. The upper part of the table remains in a fixed position while the lower part of the table can slide back and forth to provide the traction and relaxation. The patient should only feel a stretch in their spine, and no pain after the spinal decompression therapy.