How Does Spinal Decompression Work?

Back pain is a common medical complaint for both women and men, and it can strike no matter how old you are and no matter how physically active you may be. Lots of issues can cause back pain, but one of the most common causes is nerve compression in your spine.

Nerve compression happens when nerves become “pinched,” often at the point where a nerve exits your spine. Compression can be treated surgically, but the good news is, many patients can find relief through nonsurgical spinal decompression treatments, without undergoing invasive surgical procedures.

Led by Barbara Adonis, DC, the team at Easy Reach Chiropractic uses the most advanced nonsurgical decompression techniques to relieve “pinched” nerves that cause pain, numbness, weakness, and other symptoms in the back, arms, and legs. Here’s how nonsurgical decompression works — and how it could help you feel better.

Spinal nerve compression: The basics

Spinal nerve compression can happen anywhere along your spine — from your neck all the way down to your lower back. Several issues can cause nerve compression in your spine, including injuries and spine diseases. One of the most common causes is age-related wear-and-tear on your spine bones and the spongy discs that separate them.

Spinal nerve compression often causes aching or “pinching” in your back or neck right around the affected nerve. But it can also cause symptoms anywhere along the nerve pathway. These radiating symptoms can happen in your arms, legs, hands, feet, or organs, and can include:

• Burning pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Electricity-like bursts of pain
• Weakness
• Loss of coordination
• Cramping

Nerve compression in your lower back can eventually lead to a loss of bowel or bladder control if it isn’t treated promptly.

How spinal decompression works

Nonsurgical spinal decompression helps relieve nerve impingement while also promoting spinal health. The goal of chiropractic spinal decompression is to gently stretch your spine, helping to reposition your vertebrae, so nerves are no longer pinched.

At our practice, our team uses a special traction table with a motorized system. Once you’re reclining on the table, the system applies gentle, consistent pressure to help relieve pressure on your spinal nerves. This treatment also increases circulation to your spine and discs, providing tissues with the oxygen and nutrients they need for natural healing.

Spinal decompression can be a good choice for treating chronic pain caused by nerve issues like:

• Herniated discs
• Sciatica
• Facet syndrome (irritation of the spine joints)
• Spinal nerve root damage
• Spinal nerve inflammation
• Some types of peripheral neuropathy

Not only can spinal decompression provide prompt relief for your symptoms, the results typically last for a long time. In fact, in a large survey of nearly 3,000 patients, about three-quarters reported continued improvement in their symptoms at their two-year follow-up.

Learn more about nonsurgical spinal decompression

Like many spine treatments, decompression offers the best results for patients who seek treatment early. That’s why it’s important to schedule an evaluation as early as possible — ideally when symptoms first appear. Early evaluation ensures you get the most appropriate care to prevent your problem from getting worse.

To find out more about nonsurgical spinal decompression at our offices in Lake Worth and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, book an appointment online or over the phone today.