Back pain is one of the most debilitating conditions. It can disrupt your daily life and cause simple actions like standing up straight for extended periods to hurt. It can take forever to get comfortable at night, and simple things like playing with your kids or unloading groceries can become extremely painful.
Spinal decompression describes various treatments that relieve back pain by taking pressure off the spinal discs. This noninvasive therapy involves stretching the spine to relieve spinal disc tension. Spinal decompression helps retract bulging discs back into place, relieving pressure off the spinal nerve responsible for the pain and promoting natural healing.
Decompressing the spine allows oxygen, water, and other fluids to work their way back into the discs. Decreased pressure on the spinal discs can help relieve pain caused by conditions like:
Spinal arthritis
Nerve root pressure
Degenerated or herniated disc
Spinal stenosis
Most people spend time sitting, which can wear down the discs and cause the spine to compress over time. One benefit of spinal decompression is that it makes the spine less susceptible to this breakdown or degeneration. Other benefits include:
Spinal decompression therapy allows healing to begin as soon as the first treatment session. Each session typically lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the problem’s severity. Experts recommend undergoing around 15 to 30 treatment sessions over six weeks.
Your chiropractor will use a harness to stretch your spine and open each pressure-filled disc gently. That will allow fluids and oxygen to flow, immediately relieving your pain.
Spinal decompression is a relaxing and painless treatment. Your chiropractor will fasten a harness around your hips while lying on a comfortable table. The harness will move vertically to stretch your spine and relieve the pressure between each vertebra.
With no need for medications or surgery, this may be a safer alternative than other forms of treatment. Chances of injury during therapy are little to none. So, you do not need to experience anxiety or fear like before undergoing a surgical procedure.
Spinal decompression rarely causes side effects. They may include slight pain and minor muscle spasms when they do happen. On the other hand, the side effects of spinal surgery can include nerve damage, bleeding, heart attack, stroke, infection, and adverse reactions to medications.
Compared to spinal surgery, chiropractic spinal decompression is a significantly less costly option. It allows for full, speedy, and medication-free recovery. Also, unlike surgery, it does not require a long recovery process.
If you live with pain like millions of Americans, you are probably seeking effective treatment. Many people turn to invasive procedures to relieve pain. However, spinal decompression is a better alternative to surgery.
For more on spinal decompression, visit Alpine Chiropractic & Decompression at our Ellensburg, Washington office. Call (509) 962-2570 to schedule an appointment today.