Spinal Decompression Treatments: Expectations vs. Reality

People suffering from back pain and other spine-related problems have tried various options to get relief since the beginning of time. While surgery is an option, the attendant risks and its invasive nature makes people avoid it. This is where spinal decompression can be a great option.

Spinal decompression treatment for low back pain is a non-surgical procedure to treat back pain. The procedure involves the use of spinal traction to stretch the spine. The concept behind this treatment is that lower back decompression can take pressure off the disks in the spine, providing a great amount of relief from pain.

In this guide, we tell you all you want to know about spinal decompression. We also tell you common expectations about this treatment with the real facts, backed by science.

The Basics of Spinal Decompression Treatment

If you have back pain, then back traction can help provide pain relief. Spinal decompression is a motorized back traction technique that offers pain relief. Apart from back pain, it can also be used to treat symptoms related to disk herniation or bulges.

The stretching of the spine changes the position of and the force acting on the spine. This reduces the pressure on the spinal disks by creating negative pressure. Herniated and bulging disks then retract, ensuring relief from pain. Also, the pressure they create on the nerves reduces, providing pain relief.

Another important result is that nutrient-rich fluids, water, and oxygen can move into the disks. This helps to promote healing leading to long-term relief.

The following are facts about spinal decompression you should know:

●  This treatment is used to treat conditions like:

●  Back pain.

●  Neck pain and sciatica cause tingling and weakness that can extend to the legs.

●  Injuries to the spinal root or spinal root disease.

●  Worn out spinal joints.

● The procedure is non-invasive and safe. Hence, patients prefer it to surgery and taking medications that can cause side effects.

● A Treatment Session lasts anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. It is usually spread over five to seven weeks. When you go for a session, the doctor will fit a harness around your trunk and pelvis regions.

● Along with this treatment, a doctor may recommend adjunct therapies like heat treatment, cold treatment, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound.

● The spinal decompression treatment cost depends on factors like the location and extent of the problems. On average, a session of spinal decompression costs anywhere from $20 to $200. Usually, anywhere from 20 to 35 sessions may be needed depending on the patient’s condition.

● You must know this treatment is covered if you have insurance. You may have to pay out-of-pocket costs, which can vary from 10% to 50%, depending on your policy type.

● This treatment is not recommended for pregnant women. It is also not recommended for those who have a fracture, tumor, metal spinal implants, or an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta.

The Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy

You need to be aware of the benefits of spinal decompression therapy before you take it up.

● The main reason you should opt for spinal decompression is that it offers pain relief. You can get relief from the distressing pain caused by spinal disk problems.

● This therapy is safe and non-invasive, ensuring patient comfort. It offers quick results, and you can experience relief after just a couple of sessions.

● Bad posture, stress, and other factors cause disks to herniate or dislocate. Stretching helps to restore the alignment of the spinal disk and the joint. This therapy helps to restore alignment.

●  Apart from re-alignment, the treatment leads to healing fluids and other substances moving to the damaged tissues. This promotes healing, which can help in long-term relief.

● The pressure on the spinal nerves, which causes pain is relieved. This happens because spinal decompression increases the space that is around the nerves.

●  When your spinal health is improved, it helps you improve your overall health.

Expectations vs. Realities of Spinal Decompression: Some Misconceptions

1) It is a magical treatment for spinal problems and back pain.

Spinal decompression is no magic. It is a therapy that helps heal spinal disk problems and provides relief from pain. Like all treatments, it depends on various factors for its success.

2) It is a therapy that offers a complete cure in just one session.

For the spinal re-alignment to happen and for healing to take place, it takes time. This is not possible in one or two sessions. Usually, a minimum of 20 sessions would be needed. In severe cases, some people may need up to 35 sessions.

Both time and patience are needed to complete the treatment successfully. You should not expect instant, overnight results. It is possible that you can experience relief right after the first session. But if you want long-term relief, you need to complete the entire course of treatment.

3) The spine is a sensitive part, and this treatment may be dangerous.

This is not true. Spinal decompression is safe. It is a process approved by the FDA. In the hands of a trained doctor or chiropractor, the procedure is perfectly safe. It is very important to go to a licensed, trained, and experienced practitioner. It can be dangerous if you go to a quack that is not licensed.

4) It is too expensive and not worth it. 

Spinal decompression is worth the money it costs. This is because it provides not just short-term relief but also promotes long-term healing of spine disk problems. The principal benefit of this procedure is that it is safe and non-invasive. Without this procedure, you may need surgery. There is always a risk associated with surgery, and it is a highly invasive treatment.  Surgery is also far more expensive than any spinal decompression treatment. Most importantly, our treatment is covered by insurance.

5) It can cure any condition completely.

The reality is that, like all treatments, it has some limitations. The doctor or practitioner would first carry out a consultation to understand your condition and then make a treatment plan. This is when expectations would be set. You should clearly ask all questions so you don’t have any unrealistic expectations about the results. Spinal decompression treatment needs to be done by a trained professional. Collegedale Physical Medicine is a reputed center that offers this therapy in a safe and effective way.