How Does Spinal Decompression Work?

To help you better understand spinal decompression therapy, think of the discs in your spine like small balloons filled with jello. When you compress them (which occurs due to normal living, sustaining an injury, or other medical conditions), they can protrude, placing pressure on the nerves in your spinal column. This affects your brain's ability to communicate with tissues in the rest of your body.

If the stress on the discs becomes too high, they can herniate or bulge. This removes the cushion between your vertebrae and can cause pain. The objective of spinal decompression therapy is to alleviate this pressure to help increase your body's function and also reduce your level of pain.

Is Spinal Decompression Therapy for Me?

Spinal decompression therapy relieves disc pressure through the use of a specially designed table that carefully elongates your spinal column through slow and controlled movements. This reduces the pressure placed on your discs. Some studies state an increase in disc height by as much as 1.3 millimeters after just six weeks of this treatment.

If you're wondering if spinal decompression therapy could help you feel and move better, simply call our Cary office and schedule an appointment with Swiss Spine Clinic today. Your optimal health is our number one objective!

Resources

Apfel CC, Cakmakkaya OS, Richmond C, et al. Restoration of disk height through non-surgical spinal decompression is associated with decreased discogenic low back pain: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010;11(155). doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-155