What is spinal decompression?
Spinal decompression uses spinal manipulation techniques to gently stretch the vertebrae in your spine. You lie on a motorized table for your back pain treatment, with a harness around your lower body. One end of the table moves back and forth, so the harness gradually pulls your vertebrae apart.
The movement relieves compression in your spine. It enables your spine to stretch and relax just enough to release the discs between the vertebrae, allowing them to go back into place.
Spinal decompression at Onesource Sports Neuro Rehab lasts around 30 to 45 minutes. Most patients require 15 to 30 sessions over four to six weeks for optimal results.
Why would I need to undergo spinal decompression?
Spinal decompression might be beneficial if you have a bulging or herniated disc or a condition like spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). These conditions often cause back and neck pain because the nerves in your spine come under pressure. Sciatica, where you get shooting pain from your lower back down one leg, is often due to a herniated disc.
The vertebrae in your spine form a column from your pelvis to your neck. Between each pair of bones is a disc that cushions the vertebrae and stabilizes your spine. Discs are circular pads with a soft core, the consistency of jelly, and a tough outer shell.
Over the years, the jelly gets drier, so the disc flattens and hardens (degenerative disc disease). That affects the alignment of your spine and can increase your risk of disc herniation. Herniation is where the inner core first pushes against a weak spot in its outer shell (a bulging disc), then breaks through (a herniated disc).
Once the inner part of the disc herniates, the pressure of the vertebrae above prevents the core from going back inside the disc. Spinal decompression opens the gap between the vertebrae just enough to allow the core to return to its proper position.
What does it feel like to have spinal decompression?
Spinal decompression might sound as though it would be uncomfortable or even painful, but that’s not the case. The experienced Onesource Sports Neuro Rehab team specializes in using spinal decompression techniques without causing discomfort.
You probably feel your back stretching during the decompression process, but it shouldn’t hurt — with the reduction in compression, you should feel a significant reduction in your existing pain.
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for spinal decompression. For example, when you’re pregnant, after a recent surgery, or if you have fractured vertebrae. Patients who’ve undergone spinal fusion or had an artificial disc or implant in their spine aren’t suitable either.
If you want to see whether noninvasive spinal decompression can help with your neck or back pain problem, call Onesource Sports Neuro Rehab today or book an appointment online.