​What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
​
Spinal Decompression therapy is used to treat back and neck pain (and peripheral joints) associated with degenerative changes without surgery. Spinal decompression therapy is advanced technology “traction” applied using a contemporary understanding of human physiology and tissue healing support. Back pain is often caused by misalignment in the spine followed by tissue stress and subsequent degenerative changes. Decompression therapy allows us to treat specific spinal areas and tissues. The treatment is a pull (“decompression”) that alternates between gentle stretching and relaxation to decompress the spine.
​
What conditions can be treated with Decompression Therapy?
​
-
Chronic back and neck pain
-
Bulging herniated discs
-
Sciatica (leg pain)
-
Hip & Shoulder pain
-
Spinal stenosis
-
Degenerative discs
-
Worn spinal joints (posterior facet syndrome)
-
Injured (compressed) spinal nerve roots (radiculopathy)
-
Arthritis
-
Pinched nerves
-
Hypomobility
-
Carpal tunnel syndrome
​
How Does Spinal Decompression Work?
​
The physiology of promoting tissue healing can get rather complicated, but in a nut shell spinal decompression does a number of supportive things. It distracts the spinal joints (stretching the muscles and ligaments) giving them more mobility. This allows tissue relaxation and better local circulation of blood and joint fluid (better delivery of nutrients and removal of waste from the tissues). This is crucial for the promotion of healing. If you have a disc problem such as a bulge or herniation touching a nerve, decompression can create a sort of vacuum in the center of the disc which will tend to suck the involved portion of the disc back towards the center, thus reducing the size of the bulge/herniation. The bottom line is that spinal decompression can help make the pain go away by addressing the problems that are causing it. Of course ongoing good posture and how you move are always going to be important.
​
I am interested, what are the next steps?
​
First, book an initial consultation with Dr. Steve. The consultation is essential to determine if spinal decompression therapy is the best suited modality for your condition. Our initial Spinal Decompression consultation and examination is currently complimentary for those who are active Markdale Chiropractic and Functional Neurology patients. Select Initial Consultation to learn more about our intake procedure.