Your back has been aching for weeks, and neither rest nor over-the-counter pain relievers seem to make any difference. Even if the pain or stiffness in your back has become part of your daily routine, you might be looking for answers that do not involve surgery. If so, this guide to spinal decompression therapy from Cornerstone Chiropractic & Spinal Rehabilitation might be useful.
What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Decompression aims to relieve pressure on spinal discs by gently stretching the spine. This nonsurgical treatment is performed at the clinic, not an operating room. You lie on a specialized table that stretches your spine in slow, controlled cycles, and you leave right after your session without the recovery time you would require after surgery.
Stretching creates negative pressure inside the spinal discs, which can pull or retract bulging or herniated disc material toward its normal position. This action may take the pressure off the nearby nerves, relieving your pain and inflammation.
How Your Spinal Decompression Sessions Work
Understanding the spinal structure helps explain why this approach works so well for certain conditions. Generally, you can expect almost every session to follow a similar pattern of gentle traction followed by a short release.
The spine is made up of vertebrae separated by discs that act as cushions. When a disc bulges, it may cause a nearby nerve to be pinched. The surrounding tissue then becomes inflamed, and this can be painful. Alternating traction and relaxation can encourage fluid and nutrients to flow back into the affected disc, which supports your healing over time.
Your sessions will typically last 30 to 45 minutes, and form part of a broader plan spanning several weeks.
Who Can Benefit From Spinal Decompression?
Those dealing with chronic back pain often choose this approach, especially when other conservative treatments have not provided them with lasting relief. Many people find the experience surprisingly comfortable.
This guide to spinal decompression therapy wouldn’t be complete without listing some of the more painful conditions that this chiropractic treatment can help to manage. For example, decompression may help you find relief from the pain associated with:
- Bulging discs: Discs that have shifted out of place and are pressing on nearby nerves
- Sciatica: Pain that often radiates from the lower back down through the leg
- Degenerative disc disease: The natural wear and thinning of spinal discs over time
- Spinal stenosis: The narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the nerves
Pregnant women and people who have severe osteoporosis or metal implants in the spine are usually advised to explore other options.
Cornerstone Chiropractic & Spinal Rehabilitation Can Tell You More
Chiropractors offer spinal decompression as part of their commitment to helping patients build a healthier spine without relying on surgery. If chronic back pain has been holding you back, call Cornerstone Chiropractic & Spinal Rehabilitation today at (850) 301-0900. Our guide to spinal decompression therapy is just the start, and our team in Fort Walton Beach, FL, can walk you through your options in person.