North Shore Wellness Acupuncture
Your Choice For Natural Healing
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is a revolutionary new technology used primarily to treat disc injuries in the neck and in the lower back. This treatment option is very safe and utilizes FDA cleared equipment to apply distraction forces to spinal structures in a precise and graduated manner. Distraction is offset by cycles of partial relaxation. This technique of spinal decompression therapy, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning, has shown the ability to gently separate the vertebrae from each other, creating a vacuum inside the discs that we are targeting. This is different than just "traction". This "vacuum effect" is also known as negative intra-discal pressure. The negative pressure may induce the retraction of the herniated or bulging disc into the inside of the disc, and off the nerve root, thecal sac, or both. It happens only microscopically each time, but cumulatively, over four to six weeks, the results are quite dramatic. The cycles of decompression and partial relaxation, over a series of visits, promote the diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids from the outside of the discs to the inside. These nutrients enable the torn and degenerated disc fibers to begin to heal.
Spinal Decompression Therapy for the Lower Back and Neck
For the low back, the patient lies comfortably on his/her back or stomach on the decompression table, with a set of nicely padded straps snug around the waist and another set around the lower chest. For the neck, the patient lies comfortably on his/her back with a pair of soft rubber pads behind the neck. Many patients enjoy the treatment, as it is usually quite comfortable and well tolerated. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is very effective at treating bulging discs, herniated discs, pinched nerves, sciatica, radiating arm pain, degenerative disc disease, leg pain, and facet syndromes. Proper patient screening is imperative and only the qualified candidates are accepted for care. This allows patients a 70% chance of resuming a normal lifestyle Please fill out the Consultation Form to determine whether you are a candidate for this safe and effective treatment option.
Why Spinal Decompression Therapy
This is designed to inform patients who suffer with debilitating pain on a daily basis. Patients can now be informed and updated with current working knowledge of these conditions and the latest Non-Surgical breakthrough technology called Spinal Decompression Therapy.
If you or your family members have been struggling with these debilitating conditions with little or no relief, then ask yourself the following questions.
Are you currently dependent on medications on a daily basis?
Are you limited in daily activities?
Have you had repeated injections or epidurals with little or no relief?
Are you considering surgery and are uncomfortable with that choice?
Have all the options been presented to you?
Have you already tried chiropractic or physical therapy?
Have you been out or work due to pain?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is certainly a viable treatment option and could very well be what you’re looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does DTS Spinal Decompression Work?
The vertebrae of the spine are slowly and methodically separated using the state-of-the-art DTS Spinal Decompression Unit. As the vertebrae are separated pressure is slowly reduced within the disc (intradiscal pressure) until a vacuum is formed. This vacuum “sucks” the gelatinous center of the disc back inside thereby reducing the disc bulge or disc herniation. Significant disc bulge reduction removes pressure off the spinal nerves and drastically reduces pain and disability. This “sucking” vacuum also pulls much-needed oxygen, nutrients and fluid into injured and degenerated discs allowing the healing to begin. The treatment motion is computer controlled to provide gentle and painless decompression of the injured spinal discs. Advanced DTS decompression techniques separate slowly and cycle between brief moments of pulling and relaxing (oscillation). This reduces protective muscle spasm that contributed to the poor success rate of outdated “traction” techniques. The DTS unit also incorporates advanced angulated elongation methods to target specific discs of the spine (for example: L5/S1 at the base of the spine). “Angulated Elongation” refers to the angle at which the healing decompression force is applied. This allows the treatment to rely less on brute force (separating multiple levels with high force) and more on finesse (using less decompressive force to focus on a single spinal segment) to rehabilitate individual spinal discs
How many spinal decompression sessions will be needed and are they painful?
The number of sessions needed and your specific treatment plan will be determined by your physical therapist after your examination. In almost all cases, the treatments are completely painless. In fact, some patients fall asleep during the spinal decompression session. Individual treatments take about 30-45 minutes. Typical therapy includes daily visits for the first two weeks, 3 times a week for the third week, and 2 times a week for the next couple of weeks, or as recommended by the physical therapist.
What Makes Spinal Decompression Therapy so Effective?
Professional skill combined with the table and computerized decompressive forces are the keys. Proper assessment, correct positioning and the use of pre-programmed patterns of distraction and relaxation may reduce disc pressure allowing necessary nutrients to enliven and accelerate disc healing.
Who can benefit from Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Anyone who has back pain or neck pain caused in whole or in part by a damaged disc may be helped by spinal decompression therapy. These conditions include herniated, protruding or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica or even failed surgery.
How long till I see results from Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Most patients report a reduction in pain after the first few sessions. Typically significant improvement is obtained by the second week of treatment.
Are there medical studies that document the effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Yes. One study documented by MRI up to 90% reduction of disc herniation's in 10 of 14 cases and other studies reported that the majority of herniated disc patients achieved "good" to "excellent" (greater than 70%) results after spinal decompression therapy.
Are there conditions where Spinal Decompression Therapy is not indicated?
Spinal decompression therapy is not recommended for pregnant women, patients who have severe osteoporosis, severe obesity or severe nerve damage. Spinal surgery with instrumentation (screws, metal plates or “cages”) is also contraindicated. However, spinal decompression therapy after bone fusion or non-fusion surgery can be performed.
Do most patients receive therapy and rehabilitative exercises in addition to Spinal Decompression Therapy?
To reduce inflammation and assist the healing process, supporting structures are treated with passive therapies (ice/heat/muscle stimulation), and/or active rehabilitation in order to strengthen the spinal musculature.
