What induces lower back pain?
Low back pain may be brought on by a many factors from injuries to the effects of aging. The spinal cord is shielded by the vertebrae, which are made of bone. Between each vertebra are soft discs with a ligamentous outer layer. These disks operate as shock absorbers to protect the vertebra and the spinal cord. Most of the problems that cause back pain are a result of herniation and degeneration of the intervertebral disk. Degeneration is a process whereby wear and tear causes deterioration of the disc. Herniations, or bulging of the disc are protuberances from the disk that compress the surrounding nerves, triggering pain or numbness.
If I undergo Spinal Decompression treatment, how long does it take to see effects?
Most patients report a decrease in pain after the first handful of sessions. Normally, substantial improvement is obtained by the second week of treatment.
How much time does it take to complete Spinal Decompression therapy?
Patients are on the system for 30-45 mins, every day for the first two weeks, 3 times a week for the next 2 weeks, and followed up by 2 times a week for the last 2 weeks.
Do I qualify for Decompression therapy?
Since I began using Spinal Decompression equipment, I’ have been flooded with questions from both doctors and patients as to which instances it will best help. Obviously proper patient selection is vital to favorable outcomes, so let me explain to you of the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria so you may make the appropriate decision since not everyone qualifies for Spinal Decompression treatment.
Inclusion Criteria:
Pain caused by herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is more than 4 weeks old
Recurring pain from a failed back surgery that is at least six months old.
Persisting pain from degenerated disk not reacting to four weeks of treatment.
Patients available for four weeks of treatment protocol.
Patient at least eighteen years of age.
Exclusion Criteria:
Appliances like 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 (recent).
Pars defect.
Pathologic aortic aneurysm.
Abdominal or pelvic cancer.
Disc space infections.
Severe peripheral neuropathy.
Hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction.
Are there any negative side effects to the treatment?
The majority of patients do not experience any side effects. There have been some minor cases of muscle spasm for a brief amount of time.
Exactly How does Spinal Decompression separate each vertebra and permit decompression at a particular level?
Decompression is obtained 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 produced by a logarithmic curve. When distractive forces are generated on a logarithmic curve the typical proprioceptor response is prevented. Eliminating this response allows decompression to occur at the targeted location.
Is there any risk to the patient during therapy on Spinal Decompression?
Definitely No. Spinal Decompression is totally safe and comfortable for all patients. The system has emergency stop switches for both the patient and the operator. These switches (a requirement of the FDA) cancel the therapy immediately thereby preventing any injuries.
How does spinal decompression treatment differentiate from regular spinal traction?
Traction is useful at treating some of the conditions resulting from herniated or degeneration. Traction can’t address the source of the problem. Spinal Decompression produces a negative pressure inside the disc. This effect causes the disc to pull in the herniation and the increase in negative pressure also triggers the flow of blood and nutrients back into the disc allowing 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 activates the body’s normal response to stretching by producing painful muscle spasms that aggravate the pain in affected area.
Can Spinal Decompression be utilized for individuals that have had spinal surgery?
For the most part Spinal Decompression treatment is not contra-indicated for patients that have had spinal surgery. In fact many patients have found success with Spinal Decompression after a failed back surgery.
Who is not a candidate for Spinal Decompression therapy?
Anybody who has recent spinal fractures, surgical fusion or metallic hardware, surgically repaired aneurysms, infection of the spine, and/or moderate to extreme osteoporosis.
Who is a candidate for Spinal Decompression?
Anybody who has been advised they need surgery but wishes to avoid it, anyone who has been advised there is nothing more offered to help, anybody who failed to significantly respond to conservative methods (medications, physical therapy, injections, chiropractic, acupuncture), or anyone who still has pain but wishes to obtain the type of care they want.
