What brings about lower back pain?

Lower back pain could be triggered by a number of factors from injuries to the effects of aging. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae, which are made of bone. Between each vertebra are soft discs with a ligamentous outer layer. These discs work as shock absorbers to shield 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 where wear and tear causes deterioration of the disc. Herniations, or bulging of the disc are protuberances from the disk that compress the surrounding nerves, inducing pain or numbness.

If I have Spinal Decompression treatment, how much time does it take to see results?

Most patients report a reduction in pain after the first few sessions. Normally, significant improvement is obtained by the second week of treatment.

How long does it take to complete Spinal Decompression therapy?

Patients stay on the system for 30-45 mins, on a daily basis for the first two weeks, three times a week for the next two weeks, and followed up by 2 times a week for the last two weeks.

Do I qualify for Spinal Decompression therapy?

Since I began using Spinal Decompression spinal disc decompression equipment, I’ have been flooded with questions from both physicians and patients as to which situations it will best help. Obviously proper patient selection is essential to favorable outcomes, so allow me to explain to you of the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria so you can make the best decision since not everybody is a candidate for Spinal Decompression therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pain due to herniated and bulging lumbar disks that is in excess of 4 weeks old
• Reoccurring pain from a failed back surgery that is greater than 6 months old.
• Constant pain from degenerated disc not responding to four weeks of therapy.
• Patients available for 4 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
• Extreme osteoporosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Compression fracture of lumbar spine below L-1
• Pars defect.
• Pathologic aortic aneurysm.
• Pelvic or abdominal cancer.
• Disk space infections.
• Severe peripheral neuropathy.
• Hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction.

Are there any side effects to the treatment?

Almost all patients do not experience any side effects. There have been some mild cases of muscle spasm for a brief time period.

How does Spinal Decompression separate each vertebra and allow decompression at a specific level?

Decompression is accomplished by using a specific mix of spinal positioning and varying the degree and intensity of force. The trick to producing this decompression is the gentle pull that is generated by a logarithmic curve. When distractive forces are created on a logarithmic curve the typical proprioceptor response is prevented. Eliminating this response allows decompression to occur at the targeted location.

Are there any risk to the patient during treatment on Spinal Decompression?

Definitely No. Spinal Decompression is comfortable and absolutely safe for all patients. The system has emergency stop switches for both the operator and the patient. These switches (a requirement of the FDA) terminate the therapy immediately thereby avoiding any injuries.

How does Spinal Decompression treatment differentiate from ordinary spinal traction?

Traction is effective at treating a few of the conditions arising from herniated or degeneration. Traction can not take care of the source of the problem. Spinal Decompression creates a negative pressure inside the disc. This effect causes the disk to pull in the herniation and the increase in negative pressure also induces the circulation of blood and nutrients back into the disc enabling the body’s natural fibroblastic response to heal the injury and re-hydrate the disc. Traction and inversion tables, at best, can lower the intradiscal pressure from a +90 to a +30 mmHg. Spinal Decompression is clinically shown to decrease 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 exacerbate the pain in affected area.

Can Spinal Decompression be used for patients that have had spinal surgery?

Spinal Decompression treatment is not contra-indicated for patients that have had spinal surgery. Many patients have found success with Spinal Decompression after a failed back surgery.

Who is not a prospect for Spinal Decompression treatment?

Anybody who has recent spinal fractures, surgical fusion or metallic hardware, surgically repaired aneurysms, infection of the spine, and/or moderate to severe osteoporosis.

Who is a candidate for Spinal Decompression?

Anybody who has been informed they need surgery but wishes to avoid it, anyone who has been told there is nothing more offered to help, anyone who failed to dramatically respond to conservative options (medications, physical therapy, injections, chiropractic, acupuncture), or anyone who still has pain but wishes to obtain the sort of care they want.