6 Reasons to Consider Spinal Decompression

6 Reasons to Consider Spinal Decompression - Norman O'Dell

The spine is the essential part of your body. It protects all of your nerves and organs and provides a framework for everything you do in life. Unfortunately, when it becomes misaligned or injured, it can lead to pain that lasts days at a time. If you suffer from chronic back issues like sciatica or spinal stenosis, there may be one solution that could help: spinal decompression therapy. 

Below are six reasons why you might want this procedure as an option for treating back problems.

What is spinal decompression, and how does it work?

spinal decompression person on table

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive procedure that helps relieve pressure on the nerves in your back. It works by stretching and pulling discs to return to their normal shape, which may be compressed or flattened due to injury or age.

The vertebrae are then pushed apart, giving those discs some room to move around again while still providing stability for the spine. 

And it’s not just about discs: because spinal stenosis restricts blood flow in some regions of the spine, relieving this compression can also help relieve pain caused by poor circulation.

This treatment option usually uses traction equipment (such as an electric apparatus) to gently stretch out muscles and ligaments before returning them into place with gentle force over time.

What are the benefits of spinal decompression therapy?

  • Relieves pressure on nerves, which can lead to pain relief.
  • Improves circulation and blood flow in the spine.
  • It can help with chronic back problems such as sciatica or spinal stenosis.
  • It treats patients of any age because it’s non-invasive and doesn’t require much recovery time like other surgery options might do for people who have already had their spines operated on before.
  • It provides an opportunity for chiropractors to work more closely together by taking care of postoperative needs after someone has gone through some form of surgery from another medical professional that caused trauma to the spine.
  • Allows patients to remain active as they recover and aids in the prevention of future injury.
  • Provides an alternative for people who cannot have surgery or don’t want it because there is no cutting involved with spinal decompression therapy, nor does it require any postoperative care like general anesthesia.
  • It can be done within a matter of hours without having to stay overnight in a hospital setting if necessary, unlike other surgical options, which may require up to two days of recovery time before returning home from the hospital.

Which conditions should I know about?

People with herniated discs usually need this procedure due to inflammation that causes pain levels beyond what chiropractic adjustments can help relieve on their own; these individuals usually have a pain level of more than two on a scale from one to ten.

People with stenosis typically experience sharp or stabbing back and neck pains, muscle spasms, and numbness in the fingers due to difficulties moving forward during spinal decompression sessions; these individuals often have an increased pain level over time.

Lumbar disk injuries are common among those who participate in sports that require constant twisting movements. This leads to repetitive stress injury with swelling around the discs that this procedure can alleviate; people with lumbar disk injuries may also notice weakness in their legs, leading to lower spine problems.

With the help of a qualified chiropractor, you can help improve your back pain and live a more fulfilling life through spinal decompression.

Who can benefit from spinal decompression?

person in car accident injury

Many people can benefit from spinal decompression. For example, if you have recently been in a car accident, suffer from chronic back pain, or even develop sciatica symptoms, it is essential to know an alternative surgery solution available for relief.

Spinal Decompression Therapy provides enough space between the vertebrae and discs so that blood flow to those areas increases – this takes the pressure off the nerves.

This therapy has helped thousands of patients find their way back to living an everyday life without debilitating pain, giving them hope again! In addition, this treatment helps with disc herniation, pinched nerve conditions like sciatica, and more.

A lot of people get better from this condition with just conservative care and exercise. However, if you still have a lot of pain or your symptoms worsen, some people might need surgery to fix the problem.

Suppose you’re somebody who has chronic back pain that hasn’t been helped by other treatments like surgery yet. In that case, spinal decompression could be worth considering as an alternative treatment option for relief. To learn more about how it works and what benefits from this procedure, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Norman O’Dell today. 

Why consider chiropractic care for your neck and back pain?

person grabbing neck

The first reason to consider spinal decompression is the sheer number of people who experience it every day. Approximately 95% of all adults will suffer from lower back issues at some point in their lives, which means that anyone with chronic or acute symptoms should consider this procedure.

Another advantage of this approach is that there are no side effects involved as opposed to traditional surgery, which often has dire consequences when something goes wrong. Acupuncture treatments also only last for about 30 minutes, while spinal decompression sessions may take up to one hour, depending on how severe an individual’s condition is.

Mild cases usually require three sessions, while more severe cases may require up to twelve sessions.

That being said, spinal decompression is a good option for many people suffering from chronic back pain. It does not involve the risks or side effects associated with surgery and traditional treatments like acupuncture do. 

However, if someone has moderate-to-severe symptoms, they should consider consulting their doctor first before undergoing this procedure to explore all of their available options and find out what works best for them.

The second advantage of considering chiropractic care is that most insurance plans offer some coverage, which dramatically reduces the cost. In addition to lower costs, other benefits include reduced recovery time compared to surgery, less postoperative discomfort due to no general anesthesia, and most importantly, the avoidance of significant complications that may arise from surgery.

The third reason to consider spinal decompression is that it helps you achieve a faster recovery time without drugs or so-called unproven therapies. Many patients report feeling better within days instead of months after undergoing this procedure. In contrast, others can often return to work sooner than they would have otherwise been able to.

In addition, some studies have found chiropractic care to be helpful for those with more severe pain as opposed to traditional treatments like medication, which can exacerbate symptoms during the first few weeks following treatment.

The fourth advantage is that there are no side effects involved, unlike other procedures such as surgery which will require at least a week or two of recovery time.

One study found that spinal decompression improved symptoms for about 25 percent of patients. Another reported an 87 percent success rate with this approach; cases involving protruding discs were even more likely to respond favorably when using this treatment.

The fifth advantage is the quality care you will receive at all levels from your chiropractor, who can adjust their methods according to your individual needs. At the same time, practitioners like traditional surgeons are limited by what they have learned through training.

Lastly, it has been shown in some studies that spinal decompression not only improves pain but also provides relief from other conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic headaches, and stiffness/stretching problems. It means that they should also consider chiropractic care if they are experiencing these symptoms.

Types of treatments for spinal decompression

types of decompression person in chair

People who experience severe back and neck pain have a wide range of treatments available to them today. However, many patients choose spinal decompression as the best option for resolving their pain and regaining mobility because it is practical, affordable, and convenient.

Traction therapy:

Traction therapy is a type of treatment that uses weights to pull the spine out of its natural curves. This forces the muscles and ligaments, holding them to stretch, which eases pressure on nerves and reduces pain.

It’s usually done by lying down against gravity with your head hanging over an edge or sitting up while leaning towards a table, but there are also chairs designed for traction therapy as well. Your doctor will explain how often you need to use this form of treatment based on your specific condition.

Inversion Therapy:

This is another option available to people who experience back pain from compressed discs due to degenerative disc disease. For this form of decompression to work best, you typically have to lie on your back and hang upside down for a few minutes. It’s best to consult with your physician before using this form of therapy because it can be dangerous if you have certain conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

Laser Therapy:

This form of treatment uses light from lasers to stimulate the body’s natural healing process by promoting cellular activity in cells near the site where they’re targeted. The goal is to improve circulation through these areas, which reduces inflammation and pain levels over time.

Some people may experience relief after just one session, while others will need up to five treatments depending on their condition. Laser therapy has been found effective against both chronic and acute back pain, but not all insurance companies are willing to cover this form of therapy.

Radiofrequency Ablation:

This treatment is a non-invasive option for people who experience chronic back pain that’s not responding to other forms of care. It uses electric currents and heat energy to permanently destroy the nerves in an area where you’re experiencing pain, which can provide relief even if there are no symptoms present when it’s performed.

This procedure has resolved back pain up to 90% of the time without requiring any anesthesia or recovery period afterward. Many patients would rather have this done than undergo surgery with its much longer healing process. 

However, you should be aware that some insurance companies may only cover this type of procedure under certain circumstances. In contrast, others will refuse coverage altogether because they don’t believe it works.

Final words

girl getting her back adjusted

Knowing the benefits of spinal decompression therapy can make it a more attractive option for people experiencing chronic back pain. It’s one of the most effective, affordable, and convenient treatment options today, so many patients first choose this form of care. Visit this website odellfamilychiro.com or O’Dell Family Chiropractic in Webster, NY or in Rochester, NY, to know more about this treatment for your pain and discomfort.

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

SPINAL EVALUATION SCREENING FOR $37!

Fill out your name, email address, and phone number below to receive our New Patient Special!
O’Dell Family Chiropractic

Primary Location
853 Ridge Rd
Webster, NY 14580
(585) 671-9210

Secondary Location
144 Metro Park
Rochester, NY 14623 US
(585) 671-9210