What is spinal decompression therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is the use of a machine or treatment to relieve pressure on the spine caused by disc disorders such as degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, including herniated, bulging or protruding discs and sciatica. Spinal disc decompression can be accomplished by a variety of procedures, used to treat specific causes of spinal compression. Traditional open-back surgery methods have been used for decades, and are only about 60% effective but they come with many risks.

Spinal decompression machines are therapy for chronic back pain.

The Safest method

The safest and non-invasive form of spinal decompression is when therapy is performed by a qualified professional using a decompression machine which is especially effective for the treatment of herniated or bulging discs. More room in the spinal canal is created by spinal disc decompression, as the spinal cord and nerves are relieved of the bone or tissue that was pressing on the nerve causing the pain. This therapy can relieve back pain or neck pain. This treatment, Spinal decompression therapy normally takes from 15 to 24 treatment sessions. Professional spinal decompression therapy is covered by most insurance policies under rehabilitation. Professional therapy results are always better than trying to do it yourself at home.

Spinal Decompression Machines

The DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Machine is the most widely used non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option for chronic lower back pain US and is approved by the FDA. It is used by chiropractors in over 20 countries. This machine helps reduce pain caused by herniated and bulging discs which cause severe back pain by pressing on the nerves in the spine. The DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Machine gently stretches portions of the spine to promote proper alignment and relieves the pressure on the affected nerve or nerves. The DRX9000 Spinal Decompression machine frees up space between the vertebrae and damaged spinal discs, giving them a chance to heal. The DRX9000 consists of a table that uses motors and rollers to manipulate the spinal column at exact locations, using a method of spinal decompression. This machine gives patients a choice against surgery and other alternatives. Tests and trials done by the manufacturer prove an 88 % complete success rate after use of this machine and the full treatment program.

The DRX9000C. This unit, like the DRX9000, is designed to relieve neck, shoulder or cervical pain. The "C" in the machine's name stands for combo, because it includes the features of the DRX9000 in combination with Axiom's innovative headrest unit. This headrest unit attaches to the DRX9000 with the aim of relieving tension at the root of the Cervical or shoulder pain. Cutting edge technology is used to monitor pressure and forces applied to the patient’s cervical spinal area. That way, pinpointed treatment can provided to the patients' affected discs. This allows for more effective treatment of chronic back pain, neck pain, and leg pain, caused by spinal compression.

The DRX9500 is another spinal decompression machine from Axiom International. This is a stand alone unit with a fixed headrest unit and is used for treating patients with chronic cervical pain. This machine provides the same pinpoint accuracy and relief from pain that the DRX9000C does. In addition to the features found in its more common models, the DRX9500 also uses a table with rollers and motors applying cyclic forces to the affected area. This reduces the build up of pressure in between the intravertabral discs that have been either damaged or weakened. Doing so can help to increase the effect of the spinal decompression therapy and potentially reduce the treatment time.

EPS8000 This machine is used for providing electrical stimulation therapy. This therapy is suggested as an additional therapy for spinal decompression patients. The electrical stimulation therapy reduces the patient’s pain perception thus making it easier to manipulate the vertebrae during Decompression therapy. How this works is that an electrical current is sent to a specific area which can be either a single muscle or small group of muscles, and the charge causes the muscle to contract. Healing is induced by stimulating this contraction of the muscle, with either a gentle or forceful current, which induces the muscle to strengthen itself by promoting the supply of blood flow to the treated area which will dramatically increase the rate of healing. Direct Digital Synthesis, which produces higher resolution and smoother feeling currents thus ensuring maximum impact from the treatments. This type of treatment has become a very common adjunct to various types of physical therapy.

The Process of Spinal Decompression Therapy

The process the patient goes through when undergoing spinal decompression begins with the patient lying on a therapeutic table that is hooked up to a computer that sends electronic information to stretch and decompress the spinal structure. A padded harness is worn by the patient, and during the spinal decompression session, gentle force is applied to the spinal column, focusing on the area for treatment. This process pressure is applied decompressing the spine, the intervertebral discs and the joints. The patient experiences multiple cycles of treatment in each spinal decompression therapy session. These cycles take between two to three minutes each. This pressure is what decompresses the intervertebral discs. The machine is monitored by a technician, but the process is fully automated by the computer. Even though relief is gained by each therapy session, the patient should complete the full treatment cycle plan to gain maximum healing of the injured disc, and full benefit from the therapy.

Home Back Decompression Machines

There are also a number of "home back decompression machines" on the market. Also known as spinal inversion tables, these really are a different class of product from the professional spinal decompression machines used by professionals, but they can provide relief to many individuals. They can be used on their own, for people who cannot afford insurance, but are preferably used in addition to the care of a medical professional.