Healthcare professionals, such as orthopedic specialists, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists and pain management specialists, are trained to perform non-surgical spinal decompression therapy on patients as one of their more conservative treatments for back pain and nerve compression.
Individuals who prefer non-surgical treatment for ongoing pain and nerve problems due to compression of spinal discs can benefit from spinal decompression therapy. It is a safe and highly effective method for relieving symptoms of back pain, sciatica, leg pain and weakness in the extremities.
What is spinal decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is a method of gently separating the spinal vertebrae to relieve pressure on discs and nerves that sometimes become compressed by injury, overuse and natural degeneration.
Benefits of Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression therapy helps to relieve pressure on spinal discs and nerve roots. It can be an effective method for relieving pain, poor flexibility, impaired range of motion and nerve impingement that causes numbness, tingling and weakness in the legs.
Who to See for Spinal Decompression
Choosing the right healthcare provider to conduct spinal decompression therapy will ensure that the treatment is done safety and effectively.
Orthopedic surgeon
Orthopedics is a medical specialty that deals with disorders of bones, joints and spine. These specialists are highly trained in diagnosing and treating problems such as slipped discs, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, fractures of the spine and degenerative conditions of the spine. These physicians offer both non-surgical and surgical spinal decompression treatments.
Neurosurgeon
A neurosurgeon is a physician that is specially trained in disorders of the spinal column, brain and nervous system. They diagnose and treat a broad range of conditions that affect these parts of the body, using non-surgical and surgical treatments. Non-surgical spinal decompression may also be offered to help patients with ongoing back and nerve pain.
Pain management specialist
Pain management specialists are healthcare professionals that treat conditions that involve ongoing pain, whether from injury, disease or systemic medical condition. They offer a wide range of treatments that may include spinal decompression therapy as part of a comprehensive care plan to resolve painful symptoms.
Chiropractors
Chiropractors receive training in a number of treatment methods for relieving back pain and nerve impingement, including spinal decompression therapy.
Specialize in spinal adjustments and decompression therapy
Chiropractors are highly trained in disorders of the spinal column and related structures.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists that provide care for patients with back problems can also perform spinal decompression therapy to relieve symptoms. The therapy may be combined with therapeutic exercises that help to strengthen the back for improved function.
Provide exercises and manual therapy to improve spine health
Physical therapists use a wide range of exercises, therapies and equipment to help patients with painful back conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are candidates for spinal decompression?
Individuals who have been diagnosed with bulging discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica or ongoing back or neck pain can benefit from spinal decompression therapy.
Do chiropractors do spinal decompression?
Yes, chiropractors often routinely perform spinal decompression therapy on their patients. They use specially designed equipment that provides motorized and computerized traction to help relieve pressure on the vertebrae and other structures in the spine.
How do I know if I need spinal decompression?
If you are experiencing persistent back or neck pain, pinched nerves or poor spinal mobility, spinal decompression therapy may be right for you. Your physician or other healthcare provider can determine if the therapy would be helpful to you, depending on the diagnosed cause of your problem.
How can I decompress my spine at home?
A number of spinal stretching exercises you can do at home can help to decompress structures with the spinal column, to relieve symptoms.
How safe is spinal decompression?
When performed by a trained healthcare professional, spinal decompression therapy is a safe and effective method of dealing with back pain and nerve impingement.
Can spinal decompression be done without surgery?
Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is available that can help relieve painful symptoms, as well as numbness and poor nerve function caused by pressure on the spinal structures.
Can you decompress the spine without surgery?
Yes, decompressing the spine is possible without surgery, by using exercises, traction and special equipment that gently separates the spinal structures.
What is another name for decompression surgery?
A number of surgical procedures are used to decompress spinal structures. Laminectomy, laminoplasty, discectomy, foraminotomy, and laminotomy are different types of procedures that are used to relieve compression of the spine.
Is spinal decompression expensive?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is not expensive. The therapy can cost between $45 to $200 an hour. However, it is not generally covered by healthcare insurance. Your healthcare provider may be able to offer a payment plan for your treatment.
What is the success rate of spinal decompression?
Spinal decompression therapy is often highly successful for symptoms related to disc problems and nerve impingement.
What are the drawbacks of spinal decompression?
Spinal decompression therapy may not produce long-lasting relief from symptoms, and you may have to continue to have sessions after your initial treatment period. In addition, spinal decompression therapy should not be used on individuals who have devices inserted into their spines for support or for those who have tumors of the spine.
Spinal decompression therapy cost
Spinal decompression therapy can vary in cost, depending on how many sessions your healthcare provider recommends. Generally, the therapy can cost between $3000 to $6000. Non-surgical spinal decompression is not usually covered by insurance.
