Herniated Disc

Chiropractic treatment is considered a form of alternative medicine. While alternative medicine has been around for centuries, there are some doubts, particularly from critics, that chiropractic care even works. To make matters more confusing, patients that have received chiropractic treatment give variable statements to the efficacy of chiropractic care. So who’s right?

The truth is, just like all forms of herniated disc treatment, chiropractic care’s ability to treat a herniated disc rests more in the individual patient than in the treatment itself. Physical therapy, surgery and medications may work for some, but for others, the pain continues. Chiropractic care is no different, but unlike many other conventional treatment alternatives, chiropractic care is considered non-invasive.

Are There Benefits to Non-Invasive Treatments?

Some critics will say that chiropractic care and other forms of alternative medicine will only aggravate problems like herniated discs. Yet, you can’t dismiss the fact that alternative medicine has been around much longer than conventional medicine. Still, alternative medicine may not be right for everyone and it may not be effective for everyone, so the benefits are really hard to pin down, but there is one that can be documented; a reduced chance of side effects.

Medications and surgery all have a long list of potential complications and side effects. Add this to the fact that neither is guaranteed to work for everyone, and it isn’t difficult to see why some herniated disc sufferers are willing to give alternative medicine a chance, despite the claims of critics.

Deciding if Chiropractic Care is Right for You and Finding Your Chiropractor

Deciding whether or not chiropractic care is right for you isn’t easy. There are many things to consider, including cost, your current level of pain, other treatments you may have tried and more. Additionally, you may be experiencing naysayers that are telling you that you are wasting your money or that the chiropractor will make the condition worse.

You should know, while making your decision, however, that chiropractic care may or may not be covered by your insurance. You should also take into consideration the fact that chiropractic care does take time to work. If you are in high levels of pain, chiropractic care may not be right for you. But in the end, only you can decide for certain if chiropractic care is right for you.

What to Expect

So what should you expect if you decide that chiropractic care is right for you? Upon your initial visit, you should expect that the chiropractor will either take x-rays or request that you bring any x-rays that may have been taken of your neck and spine. The chiropractor will then evaluate the overall health of your spine and your herniated disc severity. They will then devise a treatment plan that is designed to address your unique back health needs.

Other considerations may also be made while creating your treatment plan. Nutrition, exercise, stress management and more are all treatment elements that your chiropractor may discuss. The goal is to help improve your overall health to promote healing of your disc herniation and help prevent any further damage or complications to your spine and your body.

Types of Treatment for Disc Herniation

There are two basic types of treatment used by chiropractors for disc herniations; pelvic blocking and flexion-distraction.

Pelvic blocking is a treatment option that addresses herniations in the lower back. In this type of treatment, the chiropractor places a cushioned wedge underneath each side of the patient’s pelvic bone. Gentle maneuvers are used in conjunction with the wedges to relieve the pressure the disc herniation is putting on the root nerve. Gravity and a change in mechanics are said to be the forces at work in this type of chiropractic treatment for herniated discs.

Flexion-distraction techniques implement the use of a computerized table. This type of treatment is generally used to treat herniated discs that are accompanied by leg pain, but flexion-distraction may be used in other herniated disc symptoms as well. In this type of treatment, the specialized table gently stretches the spine. This enables the chiropractor to reach the spinal disc, which is then gently pumped by the machine to help encourage healing.

Chiropractors never use force to treat herniated discs. This is a common misconception that is commonly used to argue the use of chiropractic care for herniated discs. While aggravation of the condition can occur and treatment efficacy can vary from one patient to the next, chiropractors do not make a practice of using treatments that are harmful to their patients.

What if Chiropractic Care Doesn’t Work?

As with any treatment that isn’t working, you are likely to feel disappointment, anger and even frustration. Remember, however, that the efficacy of the treatment has more to do with your unique condition than the care itself. Also know that your chiropractor will not continue to treat you if you are not improving or if your condition worsens.

Most chiropractors work under a 50% rule. If, by the time your treatment is over, you have not improved both objectively and subjectively by at least 50%, your chiropractor will start to discuss other treatment options with you. They will also discuss other options if your condition worsens at any time.

Standard referrals for unsuccessful treatment include surgical intervention, spinal specialists and imaging. Your chiropractor will base their recommendations on their understanding of your condition and your progress, or lack thereof.

Decompression therapy is used to treat a wide range of spinal problems including herniated discs, degenerative discs, sciatica bulging discs and even spinal stenosis or failed back syndrome. The purpose is to heal the spinal malfunction and relieve the symptoms associated with spinal problems, like numbness, neck pain, tingling and leg or back pain relieved or minimized through the use of decompression therapy. But if you have never heard of decompression therapy, you may be wondering what it is or if it even works. You will learn the answers to these questions, and more, in this article.

What is Decompression Therapy?

Decompression surgery is a non-surgical, non-invasive, drug-free approach to treating spinal problems. A mechanical traction device that is powered by an on-board computer is used during decompression therapy. The computer has two main functions during the therapy; disc distraction, which is designed to reduce the body’s natural reaction to external forces, and traction force, which is applied to the discs of the spinal column to promote healing.

Several versions of the therapy exist, including inversion therapy, in which the patient hangs upside down, and articulating spinal decompression (range-of-motion), in which the therapist or doctor adjusts the posture of the patient during the procedure. In nearly all versions of decompression therapy, the patient is strapped to a table and pulling forces are used to permit the device access to the discs in between each spinal column. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Decompression Theories

Supporters of decompression therapy believe that the nerve roots of the spinal column are not actually compressed by the damaged disc, only irritated. It is upon this theory that decompression therapy is based. During the therapy, the on-board computer uses a series of 15 one-minute alternating decompression and relaxation cycles.

A vacuum effect is said to be applied to the disc during the decompression phases, which is thought to relieve pressure inside the disc. According to the theory, nutrients and water are able to reach the damaged disc at this time. This is said to promote healing of the disc, which over time, eliminates symptoms of disc damage.

Risks of Decompression Therapy

While supporters claim that there are no risks associated with decompression therapy, critics say otherwise. Decompression therapy risks noted include equipment malfunction, unsafe equipment, irritation of the disc and damage to the disc. While claims cannot be proven one way or the other, it’s important that you consider these potential risks if you are contemplating decompression therapy.

Decompression Therapy – Not a New Idea

Decompression therapy dates all the way back ancient Egyptian times and was made a “modern” therapy in 1933 by W. Gayle Crutchfield. Originally known as traction or distraction therapy, the first documented use of traction therapy took place at the Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis in 1974. At that time, it was referred to as Gravity Lumbar Reduction Therapy.

Decompression Therapy – Does it Really Work?

The efficacy of decompression therapy has long been a topic of debate. While enthusiasts site several medical documents that prove the efficiency of the treatment, critics say the medical documents are incomplete and inconclusive. To make matters worse, decompression patients can’t even agree on whether or not the treatment works. This makes determining the efficacy of decompression therapy a mystery.

While it would be easy to say it doesn’t work, there is something to consider. Could there be factors that are unique to the individual that would determine the efficacy of decompression therapy? Common sense says yes. Even with surgical procedures, the efficiency of treatment rests in the patient’s unique situation, not in the surgery itself. This is true as well for other forms of treatment, including physical therapy and injections.

So who is to determine whether or not decompression therapy works? The individual receiving treatment. Unfortunately, because decompression therapy is considered alternative medicine, it may not be covered by health insurance. For this reason, many patients are unwilling to take a risk on decompression therapy.

Is Decompression Therapy Right for You?

Honestly, only you can answer this question and there are many angles to look at before making a final decision. But if decompression therapy has the potential to help, even if the potential is small, and you have the funds or can get it covered by your insurance, then it might be worth the try. On the other hand, if you cannot afford decompression therapy or cannot get it covered under your insurance, you may want to forgo the decompression therapy and stick with your medical doctor’s recommendations.

If you do decide that decompression therapy is right for you, keep in mind that there may be some risks and that patients who have noted benefits claimed that it took several treatments before they started to feel better. You should also avoid abandoning any recommendations from your doctor, like rest and physical therapy. These treatments are all non-invasive and they can help to promote healing.