What is Spinal Decompression?

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment option for certain types of back pain, that is becoming more and more available in our area.  Mechanical decompression works by slowly and gently stretching the spine, taking pressure off compressed discs and vertebrae.

Please follow the link to the Center for Physicians Care website to view a short video about Spinal Decompression.  This doctor, based in Florida, has created a very informative website, which will provide the answers to many of your spinal decompression questions. 

Can I Afford Spinal Decompression?

Any day of the week you can turn on your tv or radio and hear a commercial advertising someone who performs spinal decompression.  Who, do you suppose, pays for the cost associated with running those expensive commercials?  YOU DO!  We have no plans to pay expensive advertising prices and are able to pass our savings on to you.  Our clinic uses the most advanced non-surgical spinal decompression treatment system available anywhere, at any price; yet we charge 50% to 75% less than most other clinics in the area.                                                                                                 

What is the Difference Between Spinal Decompression and Traction?

Traction is a simple static force that is put on the patient's body with the intent of unloading the body's joints, muscles and other structures.  For example, hanging upside-down is a common method to put the spine into traction.  Rather than one's body weight putting stress on the spine, which is what happens when standing erect, the body weight is working to unload the spine.

Various forms of traction have been around for over 1000 years; however, pain relief has been inconsistent and short-lived.  In fact, several clinical studies have shown traction to be an ineffective form of back and neck pain relief.  The reason is unexpected, but pretty simple.  Our bodies react to the static unloading of the spine by contracting, or squeezing, the muscles surrounding the spine.  Rather than achieving the desired effect of unloading the spine, the pressure on the spine is actually increased, thus increasing intradiscal pressure.  This does NOT allow the discs to rehydrate and heal, which is what ultimately yields pain relief.

Spinal Decompression, on the other hand, is a modified, updated form of traction.  Computer technology is used to control variations in the unloading of the spine, effectively avoiding the body's muscle contraction response.  The traction tension is varied over time and the doctor can control how many progressive tension steps are experienced by the patient before reaching the maximum tension.  The doctor also has complete control over how long the tensions are held steady and how often they are repeated.

Spinal Decompression avoids the muscle contraction response.  The intradiscal pressure is actually lowered to the point of being a vacuum,  or negative pressure.  This vacuum is what allows herniated material to be drawn back into place and permits rehydration of the disc.  Once the herniated material is not in contact with the nerves and the disc is in good health, pain is relieved.  Spinal decompression is different from traction because it works.