If you’ve ever been in a car accident or had a fall, you may have heard of a spinal decompression machine. But what is it, and how does it work?
A spinal decompression machine is a device that is used to relieve pressure on the spine. It works by gently stretching the spine, which helps to take the pressure off of the discs and nerves. This can provide relief from pain and other symptoms caused by compression of the spine.
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What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Spinal decompression therapy is a type of treatment that can help relieve back pain caused by herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and other conditions that put pressure on the spine.
Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine. This change in tension and pressure helps take pressure off the discs and nerves in your spine. It also helps bring nutrients and oxygen to the discs so they can heal.
Spinal decompression therapy is typically done using a machine called a spinal decompression table. You lie on the table, and straps are placed around your body. The table then moves you in a specific way to stretch your spine. The whole process usually lasts about 30 minutes.
You may need to have several sessions of spinal decompression therapy to get relief from your pain. And you may need to continue with other forms of treatment, such as exercise, physical therapy, or medications, to keep your pain under control.
What is a Spinal Decompression Table?
A spinal decompression table is a medical device that is used to stretch the spine. This type of table is also sometimes referred to as a traction table.
The table is divided in two so that the patient’s upper body and lower body portion can be moved independently from each other. There are also some spinal decompression tables that feature an additional separate headpiece that can be moved independently as well.
The patient will lie down on the traction table and then the muscles which are surrounding the spine will be relaxed. This is usually done by electrical stimulation. Once the muscles are relaxed, the traction table will slowly stretch the spine.
The amount of stretch and the speed of the stretch can be controlled by the medical professional who is operating the machine. The goal of this type of therapy is to take pressure off of the discs and nerves in the spine.
Spinal decompression tables are most often used to treat herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, and sciatica. There are many possible patient outcomes that can result from spinal decompression therapy, but these outcomes will vary depending on each individual case.
How Spinal Decompression Tables Work
Before we explain how a spinal decompression table works, it’s important to understand what it is and how it can benefit patients. A spinal decompression table is a motorized device that is specifically designed to apply gentle, sustained traction to the spine.
This traction helps to stretch the spine and relieve pressure on the discs and other structures in the back. Spinal decompression tables are often used to treat herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and other conditions that cause back pain.
How Does It Work?
When a patient is lying on a spinal decompression table, the table will gradually pull on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. This creates negative intradiscal pressure, which helps to reduce pressure on the discs themselves.
The amount of traction and the specific angle of pull can be adjusted by the spinal decompression technician during the treatment session. This allows for a customized treatment plan for each patient.
What Are The Benefits?
One of the main benefits of spinal decompression therapy is that it can help to relieve pain without medication or surgery. In many cases, patients who undergo treatment on a spinal decompression table will see a significant reduction in their pain levels after just a few sessions.
In addition to reducing pain, spinal decompression therapy can also help to improve circulation in the spine and promote healing in damaged discs and other structures in the back.
What Is Spinal Decompression Protocol?
The recommended decompression protocol for a Spinal Decompression patient is 20 sessions over a 4-6 week period of time.
During each session, the patient is positioned on a spinal decompression table and is hooked up to the machine by a harness that goes around the pelvis and another that goes around the chest. The machine will then take the patient through a gentle stretching cycle that lasts about 30 minutes.
The number of sessions and length of time between sessions will be determined by the doctor based on each individual patient’s needs. A good candidate for spinal decompression therapy is someone who has failed to respond to conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, medications, and epidural steroid injections.
Spinal decompression therapy is not for everyone. People with certain conditions such as advanced osteoarthritis, pregnant women, people with metal implants in their spine, or those who have had spinal surgery are not good candidates for this type of treatment.
The Spinal Decompression Protocol was created by Dr. Robert Clausen and is supported by research conducted at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. The protocol calls for 20 treatment sessions over a 4-6 week period of time. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes and is performed 3 times per week. The treatments are given on an advanced decompression table that uses computer-controlled traction to slowly stretch the spine.
Who Can Benefit From Spinal Decompression Therapy?
There are many patients who can benefit from spinal decompression therapy.
These include:
- Patients with broken vertebrae
- Patients with herniated discs
- Patients who have undergone spinal fusion surgery
- Pregnancy patients with metastasized cancer
- Patients who have not responded well to other treatments
The spinal decompression machine is operated by a decompression technician or other healthcare practitioner. The machine slowly stretches the spine, which relieves pressure on the discs and nerves. This can provide relief from pain, numbness, and tingling.
Who Should Not Have Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression?
Nonsurgical spinal decompression is not for everyone. You may not be a good candidate for this procedure if you have any of the following conditions:
- Osteoporosis or metal implants in your spine
- An aneurysm in your aorta or another advanced cardiac disease
- An abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Advanced osteoporosis or metal implants in your spine
- A fracture, tumor, or infection in your spine
Your doctor will likely not recommend nonsurgical spinal decompression if you have any of these conditions. In some cases, nonsurgical spinal decompression may be beneficial for people with advanced osteoporosis. However, more research is needed to confirm this.
Spinal Decompression Table Research
A spinal decompression table is a specialized piece of equipment that is designed to provide gentle, safe, and effective relief from chronic pain. Studies have shown that decompression therapy can provide significant relief for patients suffering from chronic pain, including low back pain and neck pain.
Decompression therapy works by gently stretching the spine and relieving pressure on the discs and nerves. This is done by applying a controlled amount of force to the spine, which creates a negative intradiscal pressure. This pressure gradient allows for the discs to herniate or bulge less, which in turn relieves pressure on the nerves.
The most common type of decompression table is a motorized table that uses a computer to control the amount of force applied to the spine. However, there are also manual tables available.
A recent study published in the journal “Pain Physician” found that decompression therapy was an effective treatment for chronic low-back pain. The study looked at a group of patients with chronic low-back pain who had not responded to other conservative treatments. The patients underwent 20 sessions of decompression therapy over a period of six weeks.
The results of the study showed that decompression therapy was associated with significant reductions in pain intensity, disability, and depression. Furthermore, the patients who underwent decompression therapy were more likely to return to work than those who did not receive treatment.
The study’s authors concluded that “decompression therapy appears to be a promising treatment option for patients with chronic low-back pain.”
While more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of decompression therapy, this study provides promising evidence that this treatment can provide significant relief for those suffering from chronic back pain.
Are There Any Spinal Decompression Table Alternatives?
Although spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that is performed by licensed chiropractors and physical therapists, there are a number of alternative treatments that patients may choose to explore.
These include:
- Manual chiropractic manipulation
- Yoga
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Pharmaceutical intervention
- Inversion therapy
Before embarking on any alternative treatment, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider and get a complete health history. This will help to ensure that the chosen treatment is safe for you and will not aggravate any existing health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you do spinal decompression?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the individual's condition and response to treatment. However, most people typically undergo a series of spinal decompression sessions over the course of several weeks or months.
Is it healthy to decompress the spine?
Decompressing the spine can help relieve back pain and improve the range of motion. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any type of spine treatment to ensure it is safe and effective for you.
How can I decompress my spine naturally?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to decompress your spine may vary depending on the cause of your compression. However, some possible methods of decompressing your spine naturally include practicing good posture and alignment, performing gentle stretches and exercises, and using a support pillow or back brace. If you are experiencing severe spinal compression, you may need to seek medical treatment.
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Conclusion
If you’re considering treatment with a spinal decompression machine, it’s important to ask your doctor a few questions. First, what spinal disorder do you have? Second, what other treatment options are available? Third, what are the risks and benefits of using a spinal decompression machine? Finally, how much does treatment cost?
In conclusion, a spinal decompression machine can be a valuable source of information for people with spinal disorders. However, it’s important to ask your doctor a few questions before starting treatment. We highly recommend Teeter® inversion tables, the only inversion tables on the market that are FDA-Registered 510(k) Medical Devices.
James Nystrom is a leading researcher in the field of hip pain. He has spent his career studying the latest treatments and techniques for relieving hip pain, and he is known for his innovative approach to care. He is passionate about helping his patients find relief from their pain and improving their quality of life. He is also a huge fan of inversion therapy and all things related to health and well-being.
