FDA approved and clinically-proven, spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive technique that works by reducing the pressure on spinal joints and discs by stretching the muscles near the spine.
Decompression therapy also works to increase blood flow to painful areas, thereby prompting the body’s natural healing response. For those suffering from neck, back, leg, and arm pain, spinal decompression therapy may be used by your provider in conjunction with other therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Conditions that may be improved by spinal decompression therapy include herniated or bulging discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, or pinched nerves causing radiating pain into the arms and legs.
During a decompression therapy treatment, a spinal disc will be targeted and placed under negative pressure using a cycle of traction and distraction. This process creates a vacuum effect within the disc, allowing for increased blood flow and oxygenation of the targeted area. The improvement in blood flow and oxygen stimulates the body’s natural healing response, which allows for reduced pain and more efficient healing of the problem area.
To achieve this effect, patients will lie on a table on their stomach or back (depending on which is most comfortable) and will have a harness fitted to them. The harness is connected to a computer which is programmed to specifically address the source of pain. The computerized system will progress through several cycles of gentle spinal manipulation, during which you may feel a release of pressure and slight stretching. It is rare that patients undergoing spinal decompression therapy experience pain from the treatment, but the process can be stopped at any time if pain occurs.
Each treatment generally lasts between 30 to 45 minutes, and the total number of treatments needed will depend on the results of the initial patient evaluation and x-rays. In most cases, 15 to 20 decompression sessions over a period of 6 to 8 weeks have shown to produce the best results. However, patients with mild symptoms have seen positive results in as little as 10 sessions.
Spinal decrompresison therapy is available at the Sports Spine and Injury Center with Dr. Russ Jepson. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call the Sports Spine and Injury Center at 435.688.7246, or request an appointment online.