What induces low back pain?
Low back pain can be triggered by a several factors from injuries to the effects of aging. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae, which are composed of bone. Between each vertebra are soft disks with a ligamentous outer layer. These disks function as shock absorbers to shield the vertebra and the spinal cord. A number of the problems that cause back pain are the result of herniation and degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Degeneration is a process where by wear and tear causes degeneration of the disc. Herniations, or bulging of the disk are protuberances from the disk that compress the surrounding nerves, resulting in pain or numbness.
If I undertake Spinal Decompression treatment, how long does this take to see benefits?
Many patients show a reduction in pain after the first handful of sessions. Usually, considerable improvement is obtained by the second week of therapy.
How long does it take to complete Spinal Decompression treatment?
Patients remain on the system for 30-45 mins, daily for the first 2 weeks, three times a week for the next 2 weeks, and followed up by two times a week for the last two weeks.
Do I qualify for Spinal Decompression treatment?
Since I began using Spinal Decompression spinal disc decompression system, I’ have been inundated with questions from both medical professionals and patients regarding which cases it will best help. Undoubtedly proper patient selection is essential to favorable results, so let me explain to you of the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria so you can make the best decision since not everybody qualifies for Spinal Decompression treatment.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Pain due to herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is greater than four weeks old
- Recurring pain from a failed back surgery that is greater than six months old.
- Persisting pain from degenerated disc not reacting to four weeks of treatment.
- Patients available for 4 weeks of therapy protocol.
- Patient at least 18 years old.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Appliances including pedicle screws and rods
- Pregnancy
- Prior lumbar fusion less than six months old
- Metastatic cancer
- Extreme osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis (unstable).
- Compression fracture of lumbar spine below L-1 (recent).
- Pars defect.
- Pathologic aortic aneurysm.
- Pelvic or abdominal cancer.
- Disc space infections.
- Severe peripheral neuropathy.
- Hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction.
Is there any adverse effects to the treatment?
Most patients do not experience any side effects. There have been some minor instances of muscle spasm for a short period of time.
Specifically How does Spinal Decompression separate each vertebra and allow for decompression at a particular level?
Decompression is achieved using a specific mix of spinal positioning and varying the degree and level of force. The key to producing this decompression is the soft pull that is generated by a logarithmic curve. When distractive forces are produced on a logarithmic curve the typical proprioceptor response is prevented. Eliminating this response allows decompression to occur at the targeted location.
Are there any risk to the patient during therapy on Spinal Decompression?
Absolutely Not. Spinal Decompression is comfortable and entirely safe for all subjects. The system has emergency stop switches for both the operator and the patient. These switches (a requirement of the FDA) cancel the therapy immediately thereby preventing any injuries.
How does Spinal Decompression treatment differ from spinal traction?
Traction is useful at treating some of the conditions arising from herniated or degeneration. Traction can not deal with the source of the problem. Spinal Decompression generates a negative pressure inside the disc. This effect causes the disk to pull in the herniation and the increase in negative pressure also causes the flow of blood and nutrients back into the disk allowing the body’s natural fibroblastic response to heal the injury and re-hydrate the disk. Traction and inversion tables, at best, can lower the intradiscal pressure from a +90 to a +30 mmHg. Spinal Decompression is clinically shown to reduce the intradiscal pressure to between a -150 to -200 mmHg. Traction activates the body’s normal response to stretching by creating painful muscle spasms that worsen the pain in affected area.
Can Spinal Decompression be utilized for individuals that have had spinal surgery?
For the most part Spinal Decompression therapy is not contra-indicated for patients that have had spinal surgery. In fact many patients have found success with Spinal Decompression after a failed back surgery.
Who is not a potential candidate for Spinal Decompression therapy?
Anybody who has recent spinal fractures, surgical fusion or metallic hardware, surgically repaired aneurysms, infection of the spine, and/or moderate to severe osteoporosis.
Who is a candidate for Spinal Decompression?
Anybody who has been told they need surgery but prefers to avoid it, anybody who has been advised there is nothing more provided to help, anyone who failed to significantly respond to conservative options (medications, physical therapy, injections, chiropractic, acupuncture), or anyone who still has pain but wishes to obtain the kind of care they want.
