What causes lower back pain?
Lower back pain may be caused by a several factors from injuries to the effects of aging. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae, which are made of bone. Between each vertebra are soft disks with a ligamentous outer layer. These disks operate as shock absorbers to guard the vertebra and the spinal cord. A lot of the problems that cause back pain are the result of herniation and degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Degeneration is a process in which wear and tear causes degeneration of the disk. Herniations, or bulging of the disk are protrusions from the disc that compress the surrounding nerves, inducing pain or numbness.
If I go through Spinal Decompression treatment, how much time does it take to see results?
Most patients see a reduction in pain after the first couple of sessions. Generally, considerable improvement is obtained by the second week of treatment.
How much time does it take to complete Spinal Decompression treatment?
Patients are on the system for 30-45 minutes, on a daily basis for the first two weeks, 3 times a week for the following two weeks, and followed up by 2 times a week for the last 2 weeks.
Do I qualify for Spinal Decompression therapy?
Since I began using Spinal Decompression spinal disc decompression system, I’ have been inundated with questions from both physicians and patients as to which instances it will best help. Undoubtedly proper patient selection is essential to favorable results, so allow me to explain to you of the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria so you can make the best decision since not everyone qualifies for Spinal Decompression treatment.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Pain caused by herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is greater than 4 weeks old
- Reoccurring pain from a failed back surgery that is greater than six months old.
- Persistent pain from degenerated disc not responding to four weeks of treatment.
- Patients available for 4 weeks of therapy protocol.
- Patient at least 18 years of age.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Appliances like pedicle screws and rods
- Pregnancy
- Prior lumbar fusion less than six months old
- Metastatic cancer
- Extreme osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Compression fracture of lumbar spine below L-1
- Pars defect
- Pathologic aortic aneurysm
- Abdominal or pelvic cancer
- Disc space infections
- Severe peripheral neuropathy
- Hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction
Is there any side effects to the therapy?
Most patients do not experience any side effects. Although, there have been some minor instances of muscle spasm for a short period of time.
Specifically How does Spinal Decompression separate each vertebra and permit decompression at a particular level?
Decompression is obtained by utilizing a specific combination of spinal positioning and varying the degree and level of force. The trick to producing this decompression is the gentle pull that is generated by a logarithmic curve. When distractive forces are generated on a logarithmic curve the typical proprioceptor response is avoided. Preventing this response allows decompression to occur at the targeted spot.
Is there any risk to the patient during therapy on Spinal Decompression?
Definitely No. Spinal Decompression is completely safe and comfortable for all patients. The system has emergency stop switches for both the operator and the patient. These switches (a requirement of the FDA) end the treatment immediately thereby preventing any injuries.
How does Spinal Decompression therapy differentiate from spinal traction?
Traction is helpful at treating a few of the conditions arising from herniated or degeneration. Traction can’t deal with the source of the problem. Spinal Decompression creates a negative pressure inside the disc. This effect causes the disk to pull in the herniation and the increase in negative pressure also triggers the flow of blood and nutrients back into the disc enabling the body’s natural fibroblastic response to heal the injury and re-hydrate the disc. Traction and inversion tables, at best, can lower the intradiscal pressure from a +90 to a +30 mmHg. Spinal Decompression is clinically proven to decrease the intradiscal pressure to between a -150 to -200 mmHg. Traction leads to 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?
Spinal Decompression treatment 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 candidate for Spinal Decompression therapy?
Anyone 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 available to help, anybody who failed to noticeably respond to conservative methods (medications, physical therapy, injections, chiropractic, acupuncture), or anyone who still has pain but wishes to obtain the type of care they want.
