If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease, a herniated disc or other spinal problems and your physician is considering surgery, you may want to think about spinal decompression therapy first. Spinal decompression therapy has been shown to be effective in treating degenerative discs, facet syndrome, sciatica, herniated discs and spinal stenosis.

Why does it work?

Studies tell us that spinal discs are generally responsible for many of the aches and pains that people suffer from. When spinal discs do not get oxygen and nutrients from a direct blood supply, movement is required. The stretch from disc decompression and chiropractic adjustments diffuse the discs with nutrients to restore and enhance healing.

What is it?

Spinal decompression therapy involves mechanically stretching through traction. During therapy a patient will be positioned to isolate the problem disc. The machine will then go through set phases of stretch and relaxation. The spinal disc is placed under pressure which creates a vacuum effect. This does two things. First, any portion of the disc that has herniated or protruded outside of where it should be can be repositioned back. Second, the vacuum effect brings in a fresh blood supply which can promote healing.

Spinal decompression therapy usually takes approximately 20 minutes to perform. Patients usually have therapy treatment three times a week, though some patients will have it five times a week. Most patients find relief within a dozen or so sessions.

Who should consider this option?

Before you go under the knife and opt for spinal surgery, you should seriously consider spinal decompression therapy. More than 70 percent of patients who have spinal decompression therapy report success. Surprisingly, these numbers are comparable to the results of spinal surgery. In fact, many people who have had spinal surgery in the past and who still have pain are finding that spinal decompression therapy can still benefit them. However, it should be noted that individuals who have had a previous spinal surgery will not be good candidates for spinal decompression therapy if they have an unstable spine.

Individuals who should not have spinal decompression therapy are individuals who have severe osteoporosis, the severely obese, the severely nerve damaged or women who are pregnant. In addition, individuals who are elderly are not good candidates for spinal decompression therapy. However, each case is individual and every person who is interested in spinal decompression therapy will be evaluated to see if he or she would make a good candidate.