While herniated discs sound like a major problem, you might be surprised to learn that it’s possible to have a disc rupture without symptoms. Disc herniation is only a problem when deformed tissue compresses or irritates nerves.
Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy is a treatment approach for this common back issue that’s related to conditions like sciatica and other spinal pain problems. While there are a group of treatments that fall under the spinal decompression label, we use motorized traction tables at Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Lafayette Hill, the Main Line, East Falls, Elkins Park, Manayunk and Hatfield, Pennsylvania.
It’s an excellent companion therapy to conventional chiropractic adjustments. Let’s take a look at spinal decompression as well as some of the ways it can be applied to your condition.
When a disc herniates, the gel-like inner filling escapes and in some cases it can press on peripheral nerve roots, causing back pain and sciatica, depending on where the herniation occurs. It’s this pressure that’s the target of decompression treatments.
Nonsurgical decompression uses noninvasive techniques to help relieve contact with nerve tissue by creating negative pressure inside the ruptured disc itself. This may allow the disc’s gel nucleus to retract into the tough outer shell, drawing it away from the affected nerves.
We use a motorized bench to gently stretch your spine as you lie on your back. The bench provides an alternating pull-and-release that creates the negative pressure effect that helps the injured spinal disc heal.
The suction created by nonsurgical decompression also promotes nutrient exchange, important for the health of discs, since these are the largest structures in the body without their own system of blood vessels.
Motorized traction promotes natural healing. While it doesn’t move or realign tissue on its own, it temporarily relieves compressive forces on the structures of the spine in a gentle and easy-to-tolerate session.
If rest and conservative home care hasn’t helped relieve herniated disc symptoms, we may recommend adding nonsurgical decompression to chiropractic adjustments and other mild or intermediate therapies.
We’ll start with a comprehensive examination to evaluate your condition and assure that your symptoms stem from a herniated disc. We’ll create a treatment plan that includes motorized traction and other modalities like activity modification, physical and rehabilitative therapy, and home exercise to encourage healing.
Most cases of herniated disc resolve themselves over weeks and months. Very few progress to the point of surgery. Instead, nonsurgical options can speed the period in which your herniated disc symptoms impact your life.
Contact Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation at our nearest office to schedule a consultation with our back pain specialists. Call or click to book an appointment with the most convenient location today.
