Back pain can get in the way of life. From the constant soreness to the inability to be as mobile as you want, chronic pain in your back can be debilitating. When the pain is severe, it’s often the only thing you can think about. And whether you’re at work or at home, that pain can greatly disrupt your life.
In finding relief for back pain, there are several strategies and therapy methods you can try. From heat and ice to stretches, or some combination, you can find a source of relief that works for you.
For chronic back pain, spinal decompression therapy has become a popular way to find relief. While at first it may be intimidating, spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical procedure that can get you the relief you need.
Here, we share six things you should know about spinal decompression therapy. With these tips, you can determine if it could be the source of relief you’ve been looking for.
1) Get Relief by Stretching the Spine
Spinal decompression therapy involves stretching and relaxing the spine, notes Ralph Gay from Spine Health. The stretching and relaxing is done in a controlled process to ensure the process is most effective.
When the spine is stretched, Kamper Chiropratic, A Palmercare Clinic, a chiropractor in Woodbridge VA, notes that the change relieves pressure on the spinal disks. These disks act as cushions in between your spine. When there is a change in the position and force of the spine, negative pressure is created and the tension on the disks is released.
As a result of that released pressure, water, oxygen and other fluids are better able to move into the spinal disks. This greater movement allows the spinal disks to heal and recover from excess strain and pain.
2) There Is No Pain During a Therapy Session
During a spinal decompression therapy session with your chiropractor, you will feel a stretch in your back rather than pain.
WebMD describes the process as using a harness around your pelvis and another harness around your trunk. Depending on the treatment, you’ll either lie face up or down on the table. The doctor will then control the computer that stretches and relaxes your spine to help you get relief.
The therapy session is a fairly quick process. Treatments typically last for 30 to 45 minutes. You may require between 20 to 28 treatments. These sessions may last over 5 to 7 weeks. With these quick and intermittent treatment sessions, you can begin finding relief fast.
3) There Is Both Surgical and Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression
Many find that visiting a chiropractor for nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy is effective. However, others may need a more invasive treatment option. Surgical spinal decompression is used as a last resort. There are also several different types of back surgery. Have a conversation with your doctor to determine if you need a more intense treatment.
4) It Is Useful for Many Conditions
Spinal decompression therapy has been used to address and treat a number of back and spine-related issues. Doctors use this therapy to treat several conditions, including back and neck pain, poor spinal disks and injured spinal nerve roots. Depending on the pain you’re experiencing, spinal decompression therapy may be a highly effective treatment.
However, spinal decompression therapy is not for everyone. Laser Spine Institute mentions several factors that may make this therapy a poor option for you. These factors include advanced age, pregnancy, osteoporosis or other musculoskeletal conditions. A conversation with your physician or chiropractor should help you determine whether this therapy is a good fit for you.
5) You Can Combine Treatment Options
If you’ve experienced back pain for a while, you know that there are many techniques people use to get relief. With spinal decompression therapy, you can combine those techniques you may already be using with this type of therapy.
You may also want to engage in treatments such as electrical stimulation, ultrasounds or heat and cold therapy. Being proactive about getting treatment can help prevent further pain and get you on your way to a pain-free life.
6) The Effectiveness Is Still Being Researched
Like most medical therapy processes, spinal decompression therapy continues to be researched. While no treatment or therapy process may be perfect for everyone, nonsurgical therapy has been effective for many people.
This type of therapy has be researched, yet some find that the research processes are inadequate, notes Spine Health. If you’re looking for a new way to get the relief you need, trying out spinal decompression therapy may be worth a shot.
Find Relief Today
You don’t have to live your life with chronic back and spinal pain. With options such as spinal decompression therapy, you can be on your way to relief. Talk to your chiropractor today to discover if you can get relief for your pain and get back to living your life to the fullest.