Bulging discs, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, pinched
nerves, sciatica, and arm pain or leg pain can often be attributed to
your spine asserting pressure on your discs. Poor posture, bad body
mechanics, repetitive
stress and acute injury can cause your vertebrae to compress your
discs or to slip out of alignment which then applies pressure to your
discs.
Compressed discs lead to two major problems: a bulge or herniation
pressing on a nerve; and brittleness of the disc. The problem is often
perpetuated because the compressed disc restricts the flow of nutrients
to itself which is needed to heal.
Traditional corrective treatments include surgery or chiropractic
adjustment. Spinal Decompression Therapy is an alternative FDA approved
treatment option that has shown very good results.
Spinal Decompression Treatment is non-invasive and provides gentle
decompression of the disc through the use of a decompression table. You
are strapped to the table so that as it moves it applies a distraction
force to the targeted area of the spine (the compressed disc). A
computer controls the distraction force which is applied in between
periods of relaxation. This gently pulls the spine apart elongating it
and creating a small vacuum between the vertebrae which pulls the disc
back into shape.
Much like a repetitive stress injury the decompression works in very
minute increments. But over time that adds up and lets the disc reshape
itself, heal and get the proper flow of nutrients going to fight off
brittleness and future injuries.
Does it work?
In 2000 I had a car accident that left me with a bulging disc with an annular tear (a small rip in the structural part of the disc). Chiropractic adjustments gave me a lot of benefit and relief, but occasionally I suffered disc flare ups that would leave me unable to move for 2 to 3 days. Not knowing what would cause these flare ups, this injury left me existing in my life as opposed to living my
life. I had young boys, and was unable to play sports with them, unable to work out myself, unable to do much beyond work as far a physical activities go. In 2003 a close chiropractic friend of mine had purchased a decompression table and began plans to design and build his own tables. As he was describing the benefits of the table, his plans for his own tables, and putting me on the table for the first time I explained to him "if you can touch this pain, I will buy one of your first tables."
Upon completion of my first session I sat up and he asked me what do I think...I could only say "Build me a table."
That was 7 years ago, and today I feel better then I did before the car accident. I have the occasional muscle spasm in my low back which resolves with an adjustment, stretching and icing. I have not, since treatment, had a flare up or any other disc related pain. I brought these tables into my office because I know first hand the benefits they had for me, and I wish to give my patients the same benefit.