Back pain due to a herniated or bulging disc can be debilitating, and in the past, surgery was the answer. Today, we have highly-successful advanced technology that allows us to relieve this pain without surgery. We use a system that combines a machine with an exceptionally precise computer program for a treatment called spinal decompression.
For most of our patients, the relief they feel after using traditional models of chiropractic care is sufficient to resume their normal life. Before the technology blossomed in 1985, the only step between receiving spinal adjustments and physical therapy was surgery. Since then the practice of spinal decompression has become FDA approved and has over a 70% success rate of alleviating chronic back pain (Sherry, Eugene; Kitchener, Peter; Smart, Russell, October 2001. “A prospective randomized controlled study of VAX-D and TENS for the treatment of chronic low back pain”).
The biggest challenge to treating patients with conditions like herniated disc, bulging discs or degenerative disc, is our inability to reach the affected discs without invasive surgery. The body lubricates and energizes the discs through the movement of the vertebra and circulation through the nervous system. When a disc or vertebra is damaged, immediately the disc begins transforming from a soft and supple tissue to a fibrous and brittle material, thus engaging deterioration and pain. With the use of spinal decompression the pain experienced from sciatica, leg cramps, neck and back pain can be all but eliminated. In fact a recent study on previous spinal decompression patients found that 91% of patients live pain free even four years after their treatment.
(www.arizonabackinstitute.com/decompression, Sept. 2010)
Using this computer technology and the decompression machine, we are able to create a custom treatment plan that decompresses the spine and pulls the herniated or bulging material back into the disc. The computer program is created and supervised by one of our highly trained staff. It gently stretches and relaxes the spine in rotation, which, over time, separates the vertebrae. This creates a vacuum-like effect that pulls the soft bulging disc material back into the disc. This can not only clear up back pain, but also any pain caused by the pressure put on the nerves. For example, patients who have a herniated disc in the lower back may have shooting sciatic pain down their legs. Relieving the herniated disc will cause that pain to vanish. With the use of special equipment, gentle non-surgical therapy provides relief for the lower back, sciatica pain, neck pain and even bulging or degenerative disc disease. Patients with lumbar pain have also seen improvements!
Precise and safely placed tension on the lower back creates a negative pressure inside the disc, which actually realigns the disc to its proper location. The ultimate effect is a rehydrated and healed disc in the injured area. Not only that, but spinal decompression also helps enhance muscular control.
The therapy sessions include periods of stretching and relaxation. Sessions last less than 20 minutes up to three times per week. Healing can begin to take place within 6-10 treatments. The majority of our patients are seen for 8 weeks. Treatment time and frequency will depend on each patient’s unique condition.
If you are living in pain from a herniated or bulging disc, we will work with you to find a spinal decompression treatment plan that corresponds with your body. Instead of turning to dangerous pain medications that just cover up the problem, ask us if spinal decompression can help you.