What Is Decompression Therapy?
Decompression therapy, or spinal decompression therapy as it is often called, is a nonsurgical, non-chiropractic therapy used to treat back pain associated with herniated or bulging discs. This rehabilitation therapy very gently stretches the spine, slowly relieving pressure on the discs. This method of treatment is considered to be very safe.
Past methods of decompression therapy utilized traction through a variety of hydraulic actions, or simple pulleys applied to the spinal column. Hanging upside down has been a simple method of applying traction to the spinal column for many years. More recently, the patient undergoing spinal decompression therapy lies on a decompression table and gentle traction is applied via a motorized unit that is controlled by a computer.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
A herniated disc can cause pain where it is located in the spine and also, in moderate to severe cases, can send a shooting pain down the arms or legs, depending on the level in the spinal column where it has herniated. Some people also experience muscle spasms and weakness in the extremities. Rarely, bladder or bowel incontinence can occur along with extreme weakness in the legs. This is a sign of a more serious medical condition and the person needs to seek medical attention immediately.
Controversy
While there is a lot of anecdotal evidence given by people who have undergone spinal decompression therapy and are very happy with the results, there remains a lack of scientific evidence for its efficacy. Many in the scientific community cite the lack of evidence-based studies and outcomes to support the positive anecdotal reports.
Keeping the lack of scientific evidence in mind, as well as the fact that many people believe it has been very beneficial in relieving their back pain, we will look into decompression therapy and the possible uses in the treatment of back problems.
How Does Decompression Therapy Work?
Advocates of spinal decompression therapy say that it assists in relieving pressure on the intervertebral discs by stretching the spine gently, allowing a vacuum effect to occur. This vacuum effect inside the disc helps reposition the herniated or bulging disc, easing pressure off the nerve and relieving pain.
In addition to repositioning the disc in small increments with each treatment, it also allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach the discs, which promotes healing. According to proponents of spinal decompression therapy, small steps over a six week period of time can often yield wonderful results for the patient in terms of pain relief.
Most people get relief in six to twelve weeks of traditional conservative therapy which may include limiting activities, heat and ice packs, over-the-counter or prescription medication, and specific exercises to strengthen the back muscles around the spine. People, whose symptoms don’t get better over time or worsen, often opt for surgery.
Spinal Decompression Therapy is another FDA approved option for conservative treatment of compressed or herniated discs.
What Does it Feel Like?
The patient lays on the table on their back and a little roller ball glides up and down the spinal column applying varying levels of decompressing force to the area surrounding the injury. The force is adjustable and as the patient heals it can be put on a stronger setting.
This is a therapeutic lengthening of the spine that is done to alleviate pressure on compressed discs and vertebrae. The treatments last about thirty minutes and the tables are often set in rooms where the lights can be dimmed and patients can dose or listen to music in the provided headsets. The table also has a convenient safety switch, allowing the patient to stop decompression forces immediately if desired.
Theory of Decompression Therapy
The theory that supports spinal decompression is that of significant, yet gentle forces, when applied to the spine in differing directions, can create a negative pressure in the center of the intervertebral disc, creating a vacuum effect. This reduces the size of the herniated disc’s fluid and takes the pressure off of nearby nerves. Simultaneously, this decompression allows circulation around the disc, allowing it to receive the nutrients needed to continue the healing process.
The reason many people like spinal decompression therapy is that it is a non-surgical, drug free, alternative treatment, approved by the FDA, for a variety of back problems, including disc herniation, sciatica, disc degeneration, and low back pain. As previously stated, there is a large amount of anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness, however, it is lacking in scientific studies to show how effective it is against other, more traditional approaches (exercise, chiropractic manipulation, or standard medical care).
Summary
For many people, spinal decompression therapy has proven to be very beneficial in the treatment of disc bulging or herniation. This is done through a mechanized device, providing gentle traction and decompressing the spine. The lack of scientific studies leave others skeptical in the efficaciousness of this type of therapy, leaving it up to individual’s to decide whether to pursue this option or not.
Perhaps a great place to start is to search for spinal decompression therapy online and read the variety of anecdotal and scientific comments. See one advocate website for decompression therapy here.