How Does Spinal Decompression Work?

Back pain is a common issue that many people experience, often disrupting their daily activities and diminishing their quality of life. One of the most effective non-invasive treatments for relieving back pain is spinal decompression therapy. If you're dealing with chronic pain due to a herniated disc, sciatica, or degenerative disc disease, you may wonder how spinal decompression works and whether it might be the right solution for you.
 

What Is Spinal Decompression?

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical therapy designed to relieve pressure on the spinal discs and nerves. Using a specialized motorized traction table, this therapy gently stretches the spine, creating negative pressure within the discs. This process can help reduce the pain associated with conditions like bulging or herniated discs, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.
 

How Does It Work?

During a spinal decompression session, you lie comfortably on the traction table while a harness is placed around your hips. The table then begins a slow, controlled movement that gently stretches and relaxes your spine in cycles. The goal is to increase the space between your vertebrae, reducing pressure on compressed discs and nerves.
 

• Creating Negative Pressure: The stretching of the spine reduces pressure on the affected discs, allowing them to retract slightly. This negative pressure encourages oxygen, water, and nutrient-rich fluids to flow back into the discs, promoting healing.

• Relieving Nerve Compression: As the decompression helps realign the discs, it also reduces compression on nearby nerves. This can significantly alleviate symptoms of sciatica and other nerve-related pain.

• Promoting Healing: By relieving pressure on the spinal discs and improving nutrient flow, spinal decompression promotes a healthier environment for healing. Over time, this can help the body repair damaged discs and reduce inflammation.
   

Conditions Treated by Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression can provide relief for a variety of back and neck conditions, including:
 

• Herniated or Bulging Discs: When discs slip out of place, they can press on nearby nerves, causing pain. Spinal decompression helps reduce this pressure, alleviating the pain.

• Degenerative Disc Disease: As discs wear down with age, they can cause chronic pain. Spinal decompression improves disc health and helps slow the degenerative process.

• Sciatica: Compression of the sciatic nerve can lead to shooting pain down the legs. By reducing pressure on the spine, spinal decompression can help relieve sciatica symptoms.

• Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal can cause nerve compression. Spinal decompression creates more space in the spinal canal, easing pressure on nerves.
   

What to Expect During Treatment

Spinal decompression therapy is typically painless, and many patients find the process relaxing. A typical session lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, and most people will require multiple sessions over several weeks to achieve optimal results. Your chiropractor will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that targets the specific cause of your pain.
 

Is Spinal Decompression Right for You?

If you're experiencing chronic back pain, spinal decompression may be a viable solution to help you get back to living a pain-free life. Consulting with a chiropractor will help determine if this treatment is right for your condition, as well as how many sessions you might need to achieve relief.
 

To learn more about how spinal decompression can benefit you, schedule a consultation with Wellness Chiropractic today. Contact our office in Santa Rosa, California, by calling (707) 575-8988 to book an appointment.