If you have neck pain or chronic back pain, you must have had spinal decompression mentioned to you. Even if you haven’t, here are some frequently asked questions to help you understand this therapy procedure.
 

What Is Spinal Decompression?

Spinal decompression is a groundbreaking computer-aided therapy treatment used to treat neck and lower back pain. It is FDA-approved and has been in use for more than 10 years. It is an alternative treatment to surgery for patients with bulging, herniated, slipped, and degenerated discs.

Spinal decompression works better than many conventional treatments for pain. After trying pharmaceuticals, acupuncture, and physical therapy without success, most people find dramatic relief in spinal decompression after only 4-6 weeks.
 

Why Does the Spine Compress?

Spinal compression happens when the gelatinous discs positioned between your spinal vertebrae drift from their natural position. For most people, age is enough to cause the compression. The discs dehydrate and flatten out with time, causing pain.

Sudden sharp movements could also shift your discs. An injury during sports or a jolt from the impact of an auto accident may dislodge your discs. The disc starts to push against the nerve roots nearby, causing pain.

Lumbar compression causes pain in the leg, back, and buttock, a condition known as sciatica. Cervical compression causes pain in the head, neck, arms, and hands. You may also feel some dizziness.
 

What Conditions Does This Treatment Work For?

Spinal decompression offers relief from various types of pain, including the following:

• Spinal stenosis

• Bulging discs

• Herniated discs

• Pinched nerves

• Degenerative discs

• Sciatica

• Post-surgical pain
   

What Is the Spinal Decompression Treatment Like?

The treatment is straightforward. All you have to do is lie on a special motorized table. The chiropractor uses a computer to control the movements of the table. This table is programmed to apply defined amounts of pressure to your spine as you relax on it. The sensation from this movement is quite pleasant.

You may need several sessions so that the disc can have enough time to heal by itself.

How Does the Decompression Work?

The gentle distraction applied to your spinal column pulls the discs apart, creating a negative pressure or a vacuum that sucks them back. The discs then shift back into position. In the process also, fluid with nutrients and oxygen flows into the disc, promoting speedy healing.
 

How Long Will the Treatment Take?

Spinal decompression treatment takes at least six weeks. Each treatment session is 30-45 minutes. In the first two weeks, you have the treatment daily. In the next two weeks, you have the treatment three times a week. In the following two weeks, you have the treatment two times each week.

After only the first few sessions, you will notice a significant reduction in pain. On average, by the second week of treatment, most patients report a significant improvement.
 

Where Can I Get the Spinal Decompression Treatment?

The Spinal Decompression treatment is offered at ReAlign Chiropractic. Dr. Georgiou will diagnose your condition and design a treatment plan to fit your needs.
 

To find out more about spinal decompression treatment, call ReAlignMed in Chicago at 773-665-4400 to request an appointment.