What You Need To Know About Spinal Decompression In Culver City

By Helen Austin


Basically, spinal decompression therapy entails stretching the spine with the objective of relieving back and leg pain. This therapy is usually performed through a traction table. Spinal decompression can be surgical or nonsurgical. The nonsurgical therapy uses the same basics as used by osteopaths and chiropractors. The goal of Spinal Decompression Culver City is to promote optimal healing for degenerated, bulging or herniated discs, as well as to relieve pain.

Despite the theory of spine decompression being widely accepted, it lack adequate evidence to support it as an effective therapy. At the same time, there are possible risks that may arise during the therapy. On the other hand, some studies show this therapy as an efficacious one although they fail to conclude if a mechanized therapy is ineffective. As a result, there is no adequate evidence supporting the therapy as effective.

During the nonsurgical therapy for decompressing the spine, the spine is usually relaxed and stretched intermittently and in a controlled manner. According to the theory of this therapy, the process result in a negative pressure within the disc, and this pressure causes some benefits. The first benefit is that this pressure pulls the bulging or herniated disc back. The second benefit is that the pressure also promotes movement of nutrients into the disc creating a good healing environment.

During the session for decompressing the lower back or the lumbar spine, the patient lies on a traction table and remains clothed. A harness is usually put around the hips of the patients where it is attached to the lower table close to the feet. However, the upper table is usually fixed, but the lower part of the table is able to slide back and forth offering traction and relaxation.

Doctors have used the nonsurgical therapy to decompress the spine in an attempt to offer solution to various conditions. One of such condition is sciatica or neck pain which is usually characterized by weakness, pain, or tingling which goes down to the legs. This therapy is also used to treat bulged or the herniated discs, as well as the degenerative disk disease. Other conditions treated through this therapy are such as worn spinal joints and the diseased or injured spinal nerve roots.

Nevertheless, your doctor is the only one who can direct if you are a good candidate or not for the nonsurgical therapy. Therefore, there are people who are not good candidates for this therapy such as the pregnant women. Other people who are not ideal are such as people with fractures, tumors, advanced osteoporosis, and those with metal implants in their spine.

A surgical option for decompressing the spine may also be used in the treatment of some forms of back pain, but it should be used as a last option. This is in case other measures are not effective for ruptured discs and bony growths. The surgery may, however, help relieve various symptoms such as numbness, weakness, pain or tingling.

The surgical options has some risks. These risks may include infection, allergic reaction because of anesthesia, bleeding, blood clot, as well as nerve and tissue damage. Another risk is that it may not improve pain relieve for back pain.




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