Spinal Decompression for Herniated Discs
Do you or someone you love have a herniated disc in your back?
Herniated discs can cause long-term low back pain, affecting your quality of life. Treating herniated discs can sometimes involve invasive surgery, but there may be another way to treat this problem.
Non-surgical, spinal decompression with your local Chiropractor has been shown to reduce the severity of low back pain caused by herniated discs. You can often avoid surgery completely and help your body naturally correct some of the musculoskeletal issues causing your back pain.
Before you make any important medical decisions, you must have all the facts. Let us explain a few of the basic principles behind spinal decompression therapy.
What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical alternative to other decompression therapies such as a laminectomy or microdiscectomy. It consists of stretching the spine using a traction table and the same basic principles of spinal traction chiropractors have been practicing for decades.
The goal of spinal decompression therapy is to:
- Create low pressure in the disc to allow fluids in and promote healing
- Reposition the herniated disc material to relieve pain
Bear in mind, most studies on spinal decompression therapy leave room for further research. While most of the chiropractic community agrees on the concept of spinal decompression, some are not convinced spinal decompression therapy works better than current standard practices.
If you’re still wary of surgical treatments, your chiropractor can suggest other manual decompression methods, as well.
How Does Spinal Decompression Work?
So, how does spinal decompression therapy work to relieve the pain of herniated discs?
Well, during this therapy, your back is stretched and relaxed in a controlled way. You’ll lie face up or face down on a motorized table. Your hips will be harnessed and attached to the lower half of the table. This part of the table moves while the upper half is stationary.
The lower part of the table will slide forward and backward to stretch the spine. You shouldn’t feel any pain while this happens, only tension and stretching.
You may need anywhere from 15 to 30 treatments in your chiropractor’s office, and the sessions last only about half an hour. Your chiropractor might also recommend other treatments, alongside spinal decompression treatment, such as nutritional supplements, exercises and stretches you can do at home, and drinking more water.
Learn more about spinal decompression therapy today! Call us at (907) 333-6525 to speak with one of our helpful staff members and schedule your consultation.
Posted In:
Spinal Decompression
Chiropractic
Herniated Disc Treatment
