1. Computer Technology Allows Forces to Spine to Be More Effective & Controlled
In the past, non-surgical treatments for spinal stenosis, herniated disc and other spine/back related problems involved long periods of time undergoing uncomfortable traction sessions. This type of therapy often made use of bulky decompression tables that put patients in upside-down positions and used a greater force pressure in hopes of relieving pressure on the involved discs.
Those older non-surgical spinal decompression methods were not the most comfortable or pleasant treatment options. Today, all that has changed with newer revolutionary computerized technologies that have now been incorporated into more comfortable positioning decompression tables that take the guesswork out of how much pressure to apply and where that pressurized force should be directed.
This method of chiropractic treatment has enhanced older methods of non-surgical spinal decompression by allowing the operator to precisely control how much force pressure to apply to impacted spine and disc areas. In the past, that force applied to the disc would often be compensated by nearby muscle groups that fought against the tension thereby decreasing the treatment effect significantly.
Now, the chiropractor can accurately pinpoint and direct the pressure force to minimize and prevent this overcompensation result from the muscle in the treatment area.
2. The Pressure within a Compromised Intervertebral Disc Can Be Reduced Thereby Decreasing Pain
Additionally, greater control of the pressure inside the impacted intravertebral discs reduces the interior pressure gently and precisely allowing the pressure on nearby nerves to also be reduced thereby relieving the pain as well.
How Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Works
To better understand exactly how non-surgical spinal decompression works, you must first understand the normal functioning of the discs along the spine. These discs are designed with softer cushioning layers in-between the harder skeletal disc that helps to smooth and glide those hard discs during normal everyday movements.
When the pressure outside the disc is increased, usually by lifting something very heavy and/or decline of the interior disc space cushioning layers due to aging and other processes, this can cause the pressure inside the discs to rise substantially as well.
When the pressure inside the disc becomes too great, this will cause a herniated disc. This means that the softer tissue layers inside will bulge outside of the discs creating what is termed a herniated disc situation. That added pressure also increases the pressure on the nerves in the region too. This is what usually causes the pain.
Disadvantages of Older Methods of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Explained
In past decades, doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors had limited resources to alleviate the pressure on the spine and discs. This often resulted in applying over and under the amount of steady pressure to the impacted spinal region in hopes of decreasing pressure inside the disc itself and less pressure on the nerves.
The only real option for treatment then were older decompression tables that were less than comfortable and not ideal. The patient would often have to be hospitalized or stay in a chiropractic center for long periods of time as the pressure was being applied through the manipulations of body and table positions trying to get that ideal pressure gradient.
This meant that patients often had to lie upside down and in one position for long periods of time hoping to get a good end result.
Why Computerized Technology Has Changed How Treatments Are Done
Chiropractors today have a wider variety of treatment options outside of surgery for spinal pain and disc problems. These include the use of newer and more accurate spinal decompression tables that can be adjusted precisely to ensure a set pressure force.
These computerized tables also allow the operator to pinpoint exactly where the pressure should be directed. The interior disc pressure can also be targeted in a precise manner to help relieve nerve pressure pain and reduce chances of nearby muscles becoming involuntarily stimulated during the procedure.
Conditions Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression May Help
There are lots of conditions that are ideal for non-surgical spinal decompression including:
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Injured nerves or diseased spinal nerves also termed radiculopathy
- Posterior facet syndrome – when spinal joints wear down
- Disc rupture
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal sprain/strain
- Chronic back/neck pain
- Failed back surgery attempts
- Sciatica and other types of back or neck pain, tingling or weakness symptoms
3. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Can Help Restore Normal Disc Function
The goal of non-surgical spinal decompression is to help restore normal disc function which also alleviates the pain that patients feel when nerves within the spine are compressed. This spinal decompression process is gentle pressure that stimulates negative pressure inside discs when applied to a specific involved spinal area or disc using a suction like pressure force.
The chiropractor adjusts the decompression table or manipulates the spine by moving it gently changing the spinal position slightly in an attempt to change the force pressure on that area. These manipulations are designed to take away the unwanted pressure on those vulnerable discs with gel-like cushions that can be compromised when the pressure is too great causing the cushioned gel layers to herniate outwards.
When the pressure on and inside the discs is relieved, it is hoped that the disc can then be restored to its normal functioning once again. During the spinal decompression, oxygen-rich blood and nutrients are released into the targeted area helping those discs and other spinal-related tissues to heal. This process also pulls in moisture back into the discs giving it back some of the lubricating function during movements.
Some herniated discs may begin to retract over time with the proper treatment measures like non-surgical spinal decompression methods. The treatments also help increase the movement of nutrient rich spinal area fluids to stimulate the body’s normal healing mechanisms.
Today’s newer methods of non-surgical spinal decompression along with other treatments may help relieve pain and discomfort for people suffering from a variety of spinal, back or neck-related problems. There have been many reports of accompanying benefits from these advanced and more effective chiropractic treatments. To learn more or schedule a consultation appointment, contact Denver Chiropractic by phoning (303) 455-2225.