non-surgical,  drug-free  alternative  to  back  surgery

What Is Spinal Decompression?

Back pain strikes millions of people all over the world and is one of the leading causes of disability. And can be very disruptive to your life. Originally, “old-style” traction therapy was used to treat this condition. However, non-surgical spinal decompression is now a highly-evolved form of traction which is much gentler than the one traditionally employed, with proven results and excellent patient outcomes.

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical, drug-free alternative to back surgery and potentially addictive medications; and is often recommended as a treatment alternative for:

•    Lower Back Pain
•    Sciatica  
•    Herniated Disc
•    Bulging Disc
•    Degenerated Disc
•    Spinal Stenosis
•    Worn Spinal Joints
•    Injured or Diseased Spinal Nerve Roots

 
The key to decompression therapy’s success is that it naturally pulls the spine, which creates space between the vertebra that in turn relieves pressure on the surrounding nerves. The decompression of your spine advances in very small increments, but over the course of time, the disc reshapes itself, heals, and is able to receive the ideal flow of nutrients, which in turn strengthens the back further and helps prevent future injuries.

Medications, on the other hand, often simply mask the pain symptoms and do nothing to treat the actual cause of the pain. Plus, the effectiveness of medication inevitably wears off usually requiring more or stronger drugs.

Recent data also strongly suggests that back surgery does not have a good track record in curing the pain and in fact may cause more problems in the long run for most patients. This is why many professional athletes have used spinal decompression therapy to treat sports-related back pain and other chiropractic problems caused by sports injuries. While you can walk home after every non-surgical spinal decompression session, the same cannot be said for those who opt to have surgical procedures. It can take an average of six weeks for an individual to be able to perform strenuous activity after lumbar compression surgery.

Initially, we will use our diagnostics skills and procedures to find the source of your back pain. Then we’ll consult with you about our findings and whether spinal decompression therapy is/is not right for you or whether your particular issue requires other forms of treatments.  At Allendale Chiropractic Clinic we specialize in multi-disciplinarian programs of care to tailor our services to meet the needs of our patients as individuals.

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Who Should not Have Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression?

Stretching the spine to relieve back pain is not appropriate for some patients. The following groups of people with these conditions are not good candidates for non-surgical spinal decompression:

•    Fractures/Broken Vertebrae/Spinal Fusion
•    Tumors
•    Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
•    Advanced Osteoporosis
•    Pregnant Women
•    Artificial Disc, or Other Implants in the Spine
•    Failed back surgery

Spinal Decompression Session

During spinal decompression therapy, patients remain clothed and lie on a motorized table, the lower half of which can move. The doctor fits you with a harness around your pelvis and another around your trunk. You either lie face down or face up on a computer-controlled table. A doctor operates the computer, customizing treatment to your specific needs. You should not feel pain during or after the decompression therapy, although you may feel stretch in the spine.
Treatment may last 20 to 30 minutes and the decompression therapy typically consists of a series of 20+ treatments over a four to six-week period.

Other sessions may be recommended and include additional treatment modalities, such as:

•    Electrical stimulation (electric current that causes certain muscles to contract)
•    Ultrasound (the use of sound waves to generate heat and promote healing)

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Contact our Allendale Chiropractic Clinic today to see if Spinal Decompression is an option for your condition and get on the path to a pain-free life. Other chiropractic services we provide may be viewed on our Our Services page.