Spinal decompression therapy is a noninvasive treatment for symptoms caused by herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, and many other spine-related issues. Using a special traction table, spinal decompression gently stretches your spine, relieving nerve pressure and creating areas of negative pressure that increase the supply of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood for better healing.
Spinal decompression helps relieve pain while promoting better mobility and optimizing spine and nerve function. If you’ve never had spinal decompression therapy, you might be wondering what results you can expect following your treatment.
Easy Reach Chiropractic is a leading provider of spinal decompression therapy for patients in Lake Worth and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In this post, Barbara Adonis, DC, and her team explain what you can expect during treatment and in the days, weeks, and months afterward.
Your spinal column is composed of a series of bones (vertebrae) with openings in the center. These bones align, creating a column or tunnel from the base of your skull to your tailbone. The column contains nerves traveling from your brain to every other part of your body.
Nerves exit your spine through small openings or joints at regular intervals, traveling to your arms, legs, organs, and other areas. These nerves transmit chemical messages between these areas and your brain.
Between each pair of bones is a spongy disc that cushions your spine and helps it stay flexible. These discs maintain space between vertebrae, helping maintain space for your nerves as they exit your spine.
Sometimes, though, these nerves are compressed or irritated by traumatic injuries, age-related spine changes, herniated discs, or other spine issues. Not surprisingly, nerve compression can cause significant pain around your spine, but pain and other symptoms can also occur anywhere along the nerve pathway, resulting in significant discomfort and disability.
Like any pain-relief treatment, your results will depend a lot on the underlying cause of your pain, the severity of your symptoms, how quickly your body heals, and lots of other individual factors. Many people experience symptom relief after a single decompression treatment, with increased relief following a series of treatments spaced out over several weeks.
Remember, decompression involves stretching, and not surprisingly, some people may experience temporary muscle soreness for a few days after treatment, similar to the soreness you’d experience from a workout or strenuous stretching exercises. It’s important to avoid strenuous activity while your muscles recover and to follow other guidelines we provide at the end of your session.
As you begin to feel better, you can expect to resume many of your normal activities as long as you follow the guidelines we provide and avoid overstraining your back or muscles. Gentle stretching is typically OK, and it can even help speed healing and recovery in the injured area of your spine.
As noted, while you may find the relief you’re seeking after a single treatment, most people achieve maximum benefits with a series of treatments performed over the course of a few weeks. As treatment progresses, you can expect continued improvements in your symptoms, along with increased mobility and flexibility.
Some patients benefit from physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that support your spine, helping prevent future problems. We may suggest lifestyle modifications, too, like posture exercises, regular low-impact exercise, and weight loss to reduce strain on your spine.
Depending on the severity and extent of your condition at the beginning of treatment, you can expect maximum results of your therapy within a few weeks to a few months as your body heals over time. Your treatment will be tailored to your needs and may include other components, like massage, physical therapy, or alignment therapy.
Spinal decompression therapy offers relief for many types of chronic pain, but it isn’t the only pain-management therapy we offer. To learn how we can tailor a pain-treatment plan just for you, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Easy Reach Chiropractic in Lake Worth and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, today.
