Your spine supports nearly every movement you make—from bending and lifting to simply sitting and standing upright. It also protects your spinal cord, a critical pathway for nerve signals between your brain and body. But when your spinal discs become compressed or shift out of place, it can lead to pain, stiffness, and a drop in your overall quality of life.
However, spinal decompression offers a gentle, non-invasive treatment designed to relieve this pressure and restore balance. So, what is this chiropractic technique? And is it right for you?
What Is Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression therapy uses gentle and controlled traction to carefully stretch the spine and relieve pressure on affected areas. Creating negative pressure within the spinal discs encourages bulging or herniated disc material to retract and improves the natural flow of nutrients needed for healing.
Sessions usually last between 8 and 12 minutes, and because the approach is non-invasive, there’s typically no downtime or recovery period required. Plus, this therapy is suitable for a wide range of age groups and can provide gradual relief over several weeks of consistent care. So, should you consider it?
Conditions & Injuries Spinal Decompression Can Help
Spinal decompression addresses multiple conditions that impact the vertebral column and surrounding structures. Here are a few of the most common conditions your Plano chiropractor can treat with spinal decompression:
1. Herniated and Bulging Discs
Herniated discs occur when the soft inner material pushes through the disc’s outer layer. This protrusion can press against nearby nerves, causing pain and numbness.
But decompression therapy can help create space between vertebrae, allowing the herniated material to retract. In fact, regular sessions help maintain improved disc positioning over time.
2. Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related changes cause discs to lose height and flexibility over time. This degeneration leads to reduced cushioning between vertebrae and increased stiffness.
Decompression therapy helps restore disc height by promoting fluid movement into the disc space. And this increased space between vertebrae reduces bone-on-bone contact that causes discomfort, improving pain and other symptoms.
3. Sciatica
When the sciatic nerve is compressed, it often produces pain radiating from the lower back through the leg. In turn, this condition often results from disc problems or spinal stenosis. But again, decompression therapy can help by relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve. The reduction in nerve compression also typically decreases pain, tingling, and numbness.
4. Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the nerves and affecting their ability to function properly. It’s a condition that often develops gradually and is most common in older adults.
Spinal decompression therapy helps by gently stretching the spine, increasing the space within the spinal canal, and relieving nerve compression. This can ease symptoms such as leg weakness, numbness, and difficulty walking. The recommended treatment frequency varies based on the severity of the stenosis and how your body responds to therapy.
5. Facet Joint Syndrome
Facet joints connect vertebrae and enable spinal movement and stability. When these joints become inflamed or arthritic, pain and stiffness often result.
So, where does decompression therapy play a role here? Decompression, similar to the conditions above, reduces pressure on facet joints by creating vertebral separation. In turn, this separation decreases joint irritation and improves overall spinal mobility.
Take the Next Step Toward Relief
For many conditions and injuries, spinal decompression therapy offers a path toward improved comfort and function. At Keystone Chiropractic, our experienced team will assess your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan that’s suitable for you and your needs. Your Plano chiropractor is here to help you lead a healthy and pain-free life!
Ready to get started? Book your appointment with our compassionate and caring team today.
