Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for certain types of chronic back pain. Mechanical decompression works by slowly and gently stretching the spine, taking pressure off compressed discs and vertebrae. Spinal decompression is one of the most exciting medical treatments developed in many years, since it demonstrates good statistical results for long term pain relief.

Spinal Decompression Conditions

The most common spinal condition treated with decompression treatment is a herniated disc. Spinal compression can cause disc herniations to expand, putting pressure on surrounding spinal nerve roots. Decompression treatment takes the pressure off these damaged discs so that the disc bulge will shrink back closer to its original size.

Degenerative disc disease is also a common condition treated with decompression therapy. Loss of disc height can be exacerbated by spinal compression, causing the vertebral bodies to move closer together. This can cause nerve compression and other forms of common back pain. Decompression eliminates the overwhelming pressure on degenerated discs reducing or eliminating painful symptoms.

Facet joint syndrome is yet another condition treated with spinal decompression. Of all the conditions, this one shows the least promising results for permanent pain relief. Conceptually, facet syndrome causes pain due to arthritic changes in the vertebral bones. Decompression helps to create more space between the vertebrae, hopefully reducing painful symptoms.

Spinal Decompression Modalities

Forget about old fashioned attempts at decompression therapy. Pulley and weight traction systems have never been proven to do anything, except injure patients in rare circumstances. Inversion therapy might create decompression of the spinal column, but is best left for fitness usage.
Cox Technic is a time tested form of decompression used primarily by chiropractors.

The modern versions of decompression therapy are Vax-D and the wonderful DRX9000. Another addition to the decompression industry is the Accu-Spina system. Check out these state of the art machines if you think that decompression therapy might be right for your form of back pain.

Recommendation on Spinal Decompression

I like decompression therapy as an excellent treatment option to avoid back surgery. Spinal surgery often has poor results for pain relief and has many risks and complications. It is always better to avoid surgery if at all possible�

I have studied the technology used by the DRX9000 and VAX-D systems and I must say that I am impressed. If you have tried several unsuccessful treatments for your back pain, consider decompression therapy as a final option. If your pain does not respond, it most likely indicates a misdiagnosis of the actual pain causing condition�

Many patients with herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and facet syndrome are really suffering from psychosomatic back pain. Sure, they have the physical spinal condition, but those conditions are NOT usually responsible for their pain. In these cases, decompression therapy works as a powerful placebo treatment. Hopefully, the end of back pain will not bring on a case of back pain substitute symptoms. If this occurs, make sure to learn more about how knowledge therapy can end all your back pain forever.

Spinal Decompression to Back Pain Home page 3/22/07 Revised 6/7/08

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