Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression for Back Pain Relief

A Safe and Effective Alternative to Back or Neck Surgery for Pain Relief
If you’re struggling with persistent back or neck pain caused by conditions such as herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, torn discs, ruptured discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, or facet syndrome, you may have heard about spinal decompression therapy. This non-invasive treatment is gaining recognition as a safe and effective alternative to back and neck surgery, offering relief without the risks or downtime associated with surgical procedures.

But what exactly is spinal decompression therapy, and does it work?

Understanding Spinal Decompression Therapy
The concept of relieving pressure on the spine through traction has been around for decades, but traditional traction techniques often fell short of achieving meaningful results. Why? The body’s natural protective mechanism, in which muscles spasm and lock the spinal joint under tension, preventing effective decompression of the spinal discs.

With advancements in computerized technology, spinal decompression therapy now incorporates a specialized pumping technique. This involves alternating between a controlled, sustained traction and a brief release, effectively bypassing the body’s protective muscle spasm response. This breakthrough allows for true decompression of the spinal discs, creating space for healing and repair.

How Spinal Decompression Therapy Works
During a spinal decompression session, the patient lies comfortably on a motorized table while the computerized system gently stretches and releases the spine in a controlled manner. This process achieves several key benefits:

1. Reduces Pressure on Spinal Discs: By creating negative pressure within the disc, spinal decompression allows bulging or herniated discs to retract, relieving pressure on nearby nerves.
2. Promotes Healing: Negative pressure encourages the flow of oxygen, water, and nutrients into the disc, helping to rehydrate and repair damaged tissue.
3. Relieves Pain: By decompressing the discs and reducing nerve irritation, patients often experience significant relief from back and leg pain, neck pain, and sciatica.

Proven Results and Benefits of Spinal Decompression
Research into spinal decompression therapy has shown promising results. Studies indicate that over 80% of patients report significant or complete relief from pain, and before-and-after imaging (such as MRIs) demonstrates improvements, including better disc hydration and reduced disc bulging.

Key studies include:

• Clinical Outcomes: A study reported that 86% of patients with ruptured discs experienced “good or excellent” results with spinal decompression therapy compared to 55% in the traction group. Similarly, 75% of patients with facet arthrosis improved with decompression therapy versus 50% with traction (PMC Article).
• Reduction in Herniated Discs: MRI evidence suggests that spinal decompression can significantly reduce the size of herniated lumbar discs, as shown in before-and-after imaging (Journal of Chiropractic Medicine).

Key benefits of spinal decompression therapy include:

• Non-Invasive Treatment: No surgery, injections, or medications are required.
• Effective for Chronic Pain: Addresses underlying causes of pain, such as herniated or bulging discs, rather than masking symptoms.
• Faster Recovery: Unlike surgery, spinal decompression has no lengthy recovery period, allowing patients to return to their daily activities sooner.
• Targeted Pain Relief: Ideal for conditions causing localized pain, such as sciatica or spinal stenosis.

Is Spinal Decompression Right for You?
It’s important to note that while spinal decompression therapy has helped many individuals, it isn’t the right solution for everyone. Research suggests that approximately 85% of spine-related pain originates from intervertebral discs, making many patients excellent candidates for this treatment. However, patients with certain conditions, such as severe osteoporosis, fractures, infections, or tumors, may not be suitable for spinal decompression.

Take the First Step Toward Pain Relief
At Pain & Injury Clinic of Utah, we’re proud to offer advanced spinal decompression therapy to help patients find relief from debilitating back and neck pain. Our expert team will evaluate your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Don’t let back or neck pain control your life—schedule a consultation today and discover how spinal decompression can help you get back to living pain-free.

• Spinal fusion
• Metallic spinal implants (bolts, plates, screws)
• Fresh disc surgery (less than 6 mo.)
• Severe bony stenosis
• Severe osteoporosis
• Grade II or greater spondylolisthesis
• Cancer or tumors of the spine
• Infection of the spine
• Pregnancy
• Aortic aneurysm repairInability to lie flat

Research led by Dr. Terry Yochum, DC, DACBR, ACCR reveals; spinal decompression therapy is believed to provide both biochemical and biomechanical alterations to the disc. The effects of axial spinal decompression therapy could be objectively quantified through pre and post MRIs. Another research project showed that 86% of the 219 patients who completed the therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms, while 84% remained pain free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings showed improvement in 92% of the 219 patients, and remained intact in 89% of the patients 90 days post-treatment. Spinal surgery and disc disease cost the American health care system more than $50 billion and a single surgery can cost upwards of $80,000. Clearly, non surgical solutions are a better alternative and of much less risk with remarkable cost effectiveness.

References:

1. Mooney V, Saul JA, Saul JS. Clinical symposia: 1996; 48:5-8
2. Terry R. Yochum, DC, DACBR, ACCR: Case Report
3. Thomas A. Gionis MD, JD, MBA; Clinical study, disc disease.