Of the leading causes of medical disability, low back pain is at the head of the list. While most of us have experienced it intermittently in our lives, there are individuals whose pain becomes a debilitating and agonizing chronic condition. For many years the only real solution usually involved long-term use of pain killers, or surgery to eliminate the result of pinched nerves, bulging or herniated spinal discs, arm pain, sciatica, or degenerative spinal disc disease. Fortunately, medical advancements on spinal decompression and back pain have helped develop an entirely new arena of non-invasive treatment.
Spinal decompression therapy is an overall term for a specific treatment providing relief of pressure on nerves that may be pinched by the spinal column. It is a type of non-surgical, non-chiropractic therapy that is approved by the American Food and Drug Association. This therapy often utilizes a traction device connected to a computer for accuracy, and allows greater control of the force, angle and length of disc distraction. It is usually received while lying on a table, and is non-surgical and non-invasive.
Patients undergoing decompression therapy strapped to a decompression table, which is designed to gently move in a way that will decompress a disc. The movements are computer controlled, and the intended result is the creation of of a small space between vertebra. This small spinal elongation places the bones in a configuration that doesn\’t compress or pinch nerves. More than one treatment is usually required.
This type of treatment originated in the late 1980s. It has a success rate ranging from moderate to high, and has provided relief for many people who sought a form of treatment that didn\’t involve the need for surgery or daily pain medication. Because it is relatively new, spinal decompression treatment methods are evolving, and are making use of new aspects of therapy that were not previously available.
In the beginning, decompression was accomplished by utilizing a software controlled system of pulleys on a table. Similar to traditional traction devices in physical design, these systems were computer controlled to some extent, but could not pinpoint pressure as accurately as desired. In addition, due to physical limitations some back patients had difficulty in participating in such procedures, and the early models excluded the neck area.
In the following years advances in software and table design dramatically improved treatment success. The new and improved systems still employ the principles of controlled traction, but are now able to target back and neck treatment areas more accurately. They are able to speed and slow the rate of joint distraction much more effectively, and can concentrate solely on those spinal segments needing attention.
This allows treatment that is virtually pain-free for most patients. In addition, those who may need a slightly different approach are now able to make use of what are called gravitational protocols, which utilize the natural weight of the lower body to help pull the spine back into a proper structure. These protocols are now included in the latest decompression units, adding to their overall effectiveness.
Medical advancements on spinal decompression and back pain today include biotechnological improvements in the areas of multi-directional treatment via advanced software, and the development of gravitational methods of therapy. While no medical treatment can be 100% guaranteed to reduce back pain for every patient, studies show a remarkably good result for those who experience spinal decompression. For many people, this kind of treatment has provided greater pain reduction than medication or invasive back surgery.
Want to discover more information about back pain, then New Century Spine Centers site on how to choose the best chiropractor for your needs.