Given that tens of millions of Americans are currently dealing with back problems, it makes sense that many of them are dealing with spine compression issues. When the spine gets compressed, it can cause damage to the vertebrae, discs, spine bone structure, and soft tissue surrounding the spine. It can also cause great pain.

Since pain almost always accompanies a decompressed spine, it is a condition that needs to be addressed by a licensed chiropractor sooner rather than later.

When you visit your chiropractor, complaining of back pain, your chiropractor will want imaging evidence related to the cause of your pain. Once they discover that a portion of your spine has been compressed, they will immediately make a decision related to the course of treatment they want to use. In many cases, chiropractors will choose to go with non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.

What is Non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is a chiropractic treatment method that involves the use of a motorized traction table. The table is equipped with body harnesses and pulleys that will be used to slowly and gently pull the vertebrae of the spine apart.

The body harnesses and pulleys are strategically positioned to allow the chiropractor to have control over what direction the spine is being pulled. The patient is lying on the table with the harnesses attached around their arms, legs, and or neck.

As the motorized pulleys act to stretch the spine, three (3) things can happen. First and foremost, there should be some immediate pain relief. That would come from the pressure that is being removed from the discs between the vertebrae and the nerves in and around the spine.

Second, the spine becomes pliable as the pulleys pull the vertebrae apart. While this is happening, other types of spinal adjustments can be employed to bring a misaligned spine back into proper alignment.

Third and finally, the stretching of the spine allows for the flushing of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into injured areas. This helps discs and other soft tissues to heal faster.

The Benefits of Non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy

One of the reasons that chiropractors really like non-surgical spinal decompression therapy as an adjustment option is because of the benefits the treatment can provide. Let’s take a look at the five (5) primary benefits you could derive from this treatment for your compressed spine.

1. Reduce back and neck pain

Other than injury, there are a lot of health problems and conditions that can cause back and neck pain. That list includes:

  • Herniated or bulging disc
  • Muscle strains in the back and neck
  • Bones fractures in the spine
  • Degenerative disc disease due to aging and wear and tear
  • Tumors on or around the spine
  • Poor posture
  • Lifestyle issues – smoking, drinking, drug use, lack of sleep

Non-surgical spinal decompression has proven to be an effective pain treatment option for pain caused by all of these problems.

2. Retraction of a herniated or bulging disc

Your discs are the spongy donuts that serve as shock absorbers between your vertebrae. When a disc herniates or starts bulging from between vertebrae, it can cause spinal cord nerves to get pinched. This causes pain not to mention tingling and numbness in the extremities.

During the decompression process, it is possible for the vertebrae to spread far enough apart that it allows for the disc to retract back into place. With this comes pain relief.

3. Release of pinched nerves

As vertebrae are pulled apart and the spine is given a chance to realign, it helps relieve the symptoms related to pinch nerves. This is a strong benefit because of just how painful and debilitating a pinched nerve can be.

The sciatic nerve offers a great case study in terms of pinched nerves. The sciatic nerve is the solitary nerve that runs through the spinal cord channel and splits at the buttocks and runs down each leg. When the sciatic nerve gets pinched, the pain is completely debilitating while also causing tingling and numbness of the buttocks and legs.

4. Avoiding invasive treatment options

Aside from chiropractic care, there are three other ways to treat back pain with each one more invasive as things progress.

Pain medication is the next least invasive option, but it’s a temporary fix that comes with the risk of opioid addiction. The next most invasive treatment option would be epidural shots. Unfortunately, doctors can only prescribe up to three shots a year with no guarantee that any of the shots will offer any significant pain relief. That leaves surgery as the most invasive option. This is one to avoid whenever possible because of the inherent risks associated with any kind of surgery.

5. Requires Little Recovery Time

Some treatment options take time to work and require downtime for recovery. Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy offers immediate progress when employed. Also, the process creates very little pain nor does it require a long period of immobility for recovery.

If you are dealing with any of the aforementioned conditions, you might want to visit a chiropractor. Based on what you now know, you might want to suggest they use non-surgical spinal decompression therapy as a treatment option.

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