Nonsurgical spinal decompression is one of our most popular treatment modalities. If you have never experienced decompression before, it can make for an unusual and unique experience. Don’t fear, you are in good hands! We are here to help take away any uncertainty you may have about trying a new treatment. I’ve set up several thousand patients on our decompression tables – including our own staff. The treatment itself is quite relaxing and very gentle. In fact, most patients are able to take a nap or read a book because it’s so soothing!
If you’re experiencing lower back pain, you’ll start by lying down on the table, with your knees propped up and a headrest positioned to your liking. A brace-like strap will be wrapped firmly around your lower back and hips.
Another strap will wrap around your upper body to help keep your body from sliding down the table.
The table is operated by a machine, which hooks onto the harness of the lower straps. The machine is set for each patient and their unique treatment needs. The table then gently and slowly slides back and forth, resting and holding for a set amount of time.
If you’re experiencing neck pain, our decompression tables can also be used on your cervical spine. You’ll lie down with your head in our cervical attachment and your knees propped up. This device is quite comfortable. Your head lies flat, and neck supports are gently tightened to hold your neck firmly in place. A small strap is placed over your brow bone to provide extra support. The machine then gently pushes and pulls your neck up and down.
So, why does this movement help relieve pain? Let’s talk science! When your spine is compressed, the disc bulges or herniates and can create pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. The disc can become compressed for a multitude of reasons including arthritis, degeneration, or injury. Our decompression tables gently stretch and pull the spine creating negative pressure in the disc. The negative pressure causes a vacuum-like effect, which pulls the disc material back into the middle of the spine. This takes pressure off of the nerve, which is why it is so beneficial for pain relief.
Over time, decompression can help correct several spinal issues. Yes, it can actually fix some of the spinal problems you’re facing, and all you need to do is lie down, relax, and let the machine do the work! When your treatment is over, you’re able to go about your day. You may experience some stiffness and soreness upon standing up, but that generally eases after you take a few steps and may last up to 24 hours. If you have any concerns about stiffness, please discuss this with us and our team will work with you to help you have a better understanding of what you can expect with treatment. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and stay well hydrated. Often our patients who receive decompression treatment are also interested in deep tissue laser, percussion treatment, and other chiropractic care – more to come on these treatments in a future blog!
I’ve worked with many patients over the years who have benefited greatly from our decompression tables. They are comfortable, effective, and capable of doing many, many things through customization. The more you can communicate with us about your pain, the better we’ll be able to tailor our tables to you and give you the most effective treatment for your individual needs! If you’d like to explore decompression further, or find out if it’s right for you, give us a call!
