Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Decompression
What triggers low back pain?
Low back pain might be brought on by a many factors from injuries to the effects of aging. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae, which are made of bone. Between each vertebra are soft disks with a ligamentous outer layer. These discs work as shock absorbers to guard the vertebra and the spinal cord. A lot of the problems that cause back pain are the result of herniation and degeneration of the intervertebral disk. Degeneration is a process where by wear and tear causes deterioration of the disc. Herniations, or bulging of the disc are protuberances from the disk that compress the surrounding nerves, resulting in pain or numbness.
If I have Spinal Decompression therapy, how long does this take to see effects?
Many patients report a reduction in pain after the first handful of sessions. Generally, significant improvement is obtained by the second week of therapy.
How long does it take to finish Spinal Decompression treatment?
Patients stay on the system for 30-45 minutes, every day for the first two weeks, three times a week for the next 2 weeks, and followed up by 2 times a week for the last two weeks.
Do I qualify for Decompression therapy?
Ever since I began using Spinal Decompression device, I’ have been inundated with questions from both medical professionals and patients as to which situations it will best help. Undoubtedly proper patient selection is vital to favorable outcomes, so allow me to explain to you of the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria so you can make the right decision since not everyone is a candidate for Spinal Decompression treatment.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Pain because of herniated and bulging lumbar disks that is greater than 4 weeks old
- Recurrent pain from a failed back surgery that is at least 6 months old.
- Persistent pain from degenerated disk not reacting to 4 weeks of treatment.
- Patients available for four weeks of therapy protocol.
- Patient at least eighteen years old.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Appliances which includes pedicle screws and rods
- Pregnancy
- Prior lumbar fusion less than six months old
- Metastatic cancer
- Severe osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis.
- Compression fracture of lumbar spine below L-1.
- Pars defect.
- Pathologic aortic aneurysm.
- Pelvic or abdominal cancer.
- Disk space infections.
- Severe peripheral neuropathy.
- Hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction.
Is there any negative side effects to the therapy?
Most patients do not experience any side effects. There have been some mild cases of muscle spasm for a short period of time.
Exactly How does Spinal Decompression separate each vertebra and allow for decompression at a particular level?
Decompression is accomplished by utilizing a specific mix of spinal positioning and varying the degree and intensity of force. The trick to producing this decompression is the soft pull that is generated by a logarithmic curve. When distractive forces are produced on a logarithmic curve the typical proprioceptor response is prevented. Avoiding this response allows decompression to occur at the targeted location.
Is there any risk to the patient during treatment on Spinal Decompression?
NO. Spinal Decompression is totally safe and comfortable for all subjects. The system has emergency stop switches for both the patient and the operator. These switches (a requirement of the FDA) end the treatment instantly thereby preventing any injuries.
How does Spinal Decompression treatment differentiate from ordinary spinal traction?
Traction is effective at treating some of the conditions resulting from herniated or degeneration. Traction can not deal with the source of the problem. Spinal Decompression generates a negative pressure or a vacuum inside the disk. This effect causes the disk to pull in the herniation and the rise in negative pressure also triggers the flow of blood and nutrients back into the disc enabling the body’s natural fibroblastic response to heal the injury and re-hydrate the disk. Traction and inversion tables, at best, can lower the intradiscal pressure from a +90 to a +30 mmHg. Spinal Decompression is clinically shown to reduce the intradiscal pressure to between a -150 to -200 mmHg. Traction triggers the body’s normal response to stretching by creating painful muscle spasms that worsen the pain in affected area.
Can Spinal Decompression be utilized for individuals that have had spinal surgery?
Spinal Decompression treatment is not contra-indicated for patients that have had spinal surgery. A lot of patients have found success with Spinal Decompression after a failed back surgery.
Who is not a candidate for Spinal Decompression therapy?
Anyone who has recent spinal fractures, surgical fusion or metallic hardware, surgically repaired aneurysms, infection of the spine, and/or moderate to severe osteoporosis.
Who is a candidate for Spinal Decompression?
Anyone who has been informed they need surgery but prefers to avoid it, anybody who has been informed there is nothing more offered to help, anybody who failed to significantly respond to conservative options (medications, physical therapy, injections, chiropractic, acupuncture), or anyone who still has pain but wishes to obtain the sort of care they want.
