30 Dec What is Spinal Decompression?

Your backbone is one the most important parts of the body, supporting its physical structure and the housing the nervous system. To understand spinal decompression therapy, you must first understand your spine’s anatomy. Thirty-three individual bones interlock to form your spinal column helping you stand, sit, bend, and turn. The vertebral bones are divided into five main sections and numbered accordingly:

• C1 through C7 cervical vertebrae support your head and neck movements.
• T1 through T12 thoracic vertebrae support your rib cage, keeping the lungs and heart intact.
• L1 through L5 lumbar vertebrae carry out most of your upper body movements providing a stable center of gravity.
• The sacrum (S1 through S5) connects the vertebral column to the hip bones, forming the pelvic griddle.
• The coccyx (or Coccygeal) has between 3 and 5 vertebrae making the tailbone.

Every movable vertebra contains an intervertebral disc or annulus fibrous – a rubber band-like outer ring with crisscross fibers surrounding a gelatinous-like center or the nucleus pulposus. Each disc rolls over these shock-absorbing nucleus pulposus allowing every joint to move smoothly. 

All your spinal nerves and the spinal cord pass through the spinal canal, a vertical tunnel directly behind the discs. The spinal canal protects the inside matter from injuries. Your spinal nerves branch into nerve roots that travel through the smaller openings (or vertebral foramens) between every vertebra. 

Now imagine the impact these seemingly simple yet complex structures go through on a regular basis. Even as you sit, stand, and move, these structures are fighting against gravity in the body. In addition, spinal pathologies can lead to debilitating outcomes like severe back pain, sciatica, or neuropathy. These symptoms can lead to a decreasing disc height, loss of fluid, or pinching spinal nerve roots, causing unimaginable damage if left unaddressed or due to reckless actions like sitting all day long.

Defining Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression describes therapies that reverse the pressure that’s been building up on your discs, thereby reducing previously restricted mobility, pain, and other physical issues. Its main goal is to provide immediate relief from bulging discs, slipped or herniated discs, degenerative disorders, and other conditions. The process can include non- or minimally-invasive and procedures to slowly, consistently, and gently stretch the spinal column and alleviate abnormal tension. The therapies also encourage good blood flow to your spinal discs, promoting better long-term healing. However, patients who don’t respond to non-invasive treatments may require surgical interventions.

A Relaxing & Gradual Process

Generally, the therapy is performed on a motorized table with a fixed upper half and a flexible lower portion activated by specialized computers. Spinal decompression is generally comfortable during the initial sessions but can have mild discomfort for patients with extensive trauma.

This groundbreaking, safe, and gradual treatment option meticulously stretches your spine and improves the spine’s alignment. Each session lasts about 30 minutes consisting of approximately 20 sessions over a period of six weeks. You can expect to achieve significant relief once the cycle completes. However, you’ll have to discuss the treatment protocols with Dr. Patel to understand what’s best for you. If you’re ready to discover what makes it a safe therapy over other alternatives, schedule an appointment with us for better assistance.

Reverse the Pressure – Look For Advanced Chiropractic Care

Back pain is one of the major reasons for missed work, ever-increasing care costs, and also causing disabilities. With over 70 million people suffering from back pain issues nationwide, they’re all desperately looking for a solution. So, chiropractic treatments can be the answer. Chiropractic adjustments can be helpful in easing spinal compression along with other therapies to accelerate healing. Dr. Pranav Patel and Advanced Health Solutions understand the severity of spinal compression and can help you with the necessary course of action.

Call us at 847-466-5009 for a FREE initial consultation.