What Is Spinal Decompression?

Back pain can occur from a variety of sources, such as a fall, sciatica, herniated disc or a car accident. These issues are debilitating and require special treatment to strengthen and heal your back. Spinal decompression therapy is one of the most efficient ways to treat lower back pain that is non-invasive and drug-free. By gently stretching the spine, pain within compressed discs and vertebrae is relieved, restoring movement and mobility to their normal state. Find out what the process of spinal decompression looks like and how it can improve your back pain with these tips!

How Back Pain Occurs

Back pain is a common occurrence that affects nearly everyone at some point during their lives, and it is one of the most common reasons why people miss work and visit the doctor. Back pain is no simple matter; it can occur during physical activity, work and even sleep, making life more difficult to handle. Muscle aches, shooting pain down one or both legs and pain that worsens when standing, bending, sitting or walking are common symptoms of back pain. Since everyone is different, the way that their pain manifests can be unique, as well. Common back injuries occur whenever we strain a muscle or ligament from heavy lifting or an awkward movement, and others can develop from ruptured discs that press on the nerve. Birth defects like scoliosis can increase back pain as you age since the spine develops an irregular curvature. Most cases of back pain aren’t serious and typically will go away on their own or with an over-the-counter pain reliever, but pain caused by specific conditions, such as osteoporosis or arthritis, can last for years without resolution or relief.

While anyone can be affected by back pain, there are certain risk factors that increase your likelihood of experiencing it. Back pain is more common as you age, especially after the age of 40, and the lack of exercise leads to weak muscles that can’t support your back, causing pain. Being overweight, lifting improperly and diseases like cancer increase your risk for back pain, as well.

The Process of Spinal Decompression

There are a variety of different treatments used to decrease back pain, but one of the most unknown therapies that chiropractors and other medical professionals use is spinal decompression therapy. This treatment focuses on treating lower back pain and is drug-free and completely non-invasive. The process entails slowly stretching the spine to relieve pent up pressure between compressed vertebrae and discs, decreasing pain and increasing mobility. Patients with sciatica, pinched nerves, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease and post-surgical pain are candidates for spinal decompression and many have reported immediate muscle relaxation during and after treatment. The treatment is performed on a motorized table in which you are harnessed around the hips and attached to the lower part of the table. The upper part of the table remains fixed while the lower part slides back and forth to stretch and decompress the spine. Each session lasts about 30 minutes, and total sessions required range from 20-25, depending on your needs. You might feel some slight discomfort during the first few sessions, but your body will acclimate quickly as your spine stretches. Spinal decompression treatments range in price from $30 to $200 per treatment, which adds up to about $450 to $6,000 in total. These prices are just estimates, but you can find out just how much a treatment will cost you by contacting your insurance company and chiropractic office where the procedures will be performed.

Why It Works

Although spinal decompression treatments aren’t widely known, they are one of the most effective ways to release tension in the spine without locking or stiffening your back muscles. Unfortunately, many spinal treatments jerk the spine and try to rearrange compressed vertebrae quickly, which just increases the likelihood for injury. When pressure is applied to the spine, the body’s natural defense is to lock up to prevent injury. Spinal decompression therapy slowly lengthens your spine, preventing this natural response from occurring. At Texas Spine & Sports Therapy Center, we also use the most advanced decompression table available, called the DRX 9000 Spinal Decompression system. This table uses computerized sensors to sense your body’s response to the treatment and will calibrate accordingly to induce a gentler experience. When the muscles tense up, the table will automatically adjust to relax the muscles and relieve pressure. For troubling back pain, spinal decompression is a pain-free and relaxing way to improve health and promote healing.

Schedule A Free Consultation Today!

If you’re looking to get rid of your back pain and spinal decompression treatments interest you, call Texas Spine & Sports Therapy Center at (512) 806-0015 to schedule a free consultation! Whether you’re suffering from a neck injury, scoliosis or pain in general, spinal decompression therapy can help. Your pain doesn’t have to define your life, so call today to start your path towards a healthier future!