Spinal decompression NYC residents should know, is a kind of therapy wherein the patient’s spine is stretched through the use of a traction table. Decompression is a non-invasive treatment used by chiropractors and osteopaths in order to relieve the pain experienced by a patient while enabling herniated spinal discs to heal.
What can you expect in your initial decompression session?
In a spinal decompression session, you will be asked to lie on a motorized table, the lower half of which moves while the upper half remains in a stationary position. The person conducting the therapy will put a harness around your hips. Depending on the type of decompression device used, the patient may either lie facing down on the table or in a face up position. Either way, the lower half of the table will move, alternating between traction and relaxation. You should not feel any pain during the duration of your decompression session. If you do experience pain, alert your chiropractor and he will stop the treatment.
It is not unusual for patients who opt to undergo decompression therapy to also undergo complementary modalities which include ultrasound, electric stimulation and hot and cold therapy. While you are undergoing treatment, your chiropractor may advise you to increase your water intake and perform specific exercises in between sessions.
Spinal decompression therapy is more effective than conventional treatments that operate upon the principle of traction for a few reasons. For one, this therapy focuses on the root cause of the patient’s issue by lowering or creating negative pressure, which is helpful in pulling in herniated discs. Apart from that, it creates an environment that allows the body to heal itself. This is achieved by enabling the discs to rehydrate themselves with nutrient-rich blood.
How effective is spinal decompression therapy? Some patients who have undergone this type of treatment report a noticeable reduction in pain after a few sessions. Do note that undergoing multiple sessions is recommended in order to achieve long-term relief.
Should you opt for spinal decompression?
Decompression therapy is ideal for patients who suffer from lumbar pain, sciatica and neck pain that is caused by issues with the spinal discs.
However, decompression is not advisable for some patients. These include pregnant women, patients who have gone under the knife for spinal fusion or implants, people who have broken vertebrae, and people who have gone undergone surgeries without any success. Patients who have spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, ankylosing spondylitis or any condition related to the spine or those who are taking blood thinning medication are cautioned against trying spinal decompression.
