Spinal Decompression Treatment
Spinal Decompression Therapy is a non-surgical traction based treatment that can effectively treat back, neck, arm, and leg pain. It works extremely well for treating herniated or bulging discs in the lower back and neck along with degenerative disc disease, failed back surgery syndrome, spinal stenosis, sciatica, facet arthritis,and radiculopathy.
The FDA cleared spinal decompression therapy in 1996. It's revolutionary, extremely safe, and affordable.
How Does Spinal Decompression Treatment Work?
The treatment is traction-based, with gradual application and release of traction forces designed to "trick" the para-spinal muscles so they do not guard or spasm.
This produces a negative pressure on the spine, which subsequently allows increased blood flow bringing with it substantial oxygen and nutrients. This allows the protruded or herniated disc to be pulled back within the normal confines of the disc, which permits healing to occur.
What Problems Benefit from Spinal Decompression Treatment?
· Herniated Discs Neck & Back
· Bulging Discs
· Degenerative Disc Disease
· Failed Surgery
· Sciatica
· Radiculopathy
· Spinal Arthritis
· Spinal Stenosis
· Facet Syndrome
Is Spinal Decompression Therapy Painful? How Many Sessions are Needed?
For the vast majority of patients, treatment is completely painless. Many patients actually fall asleep during spinal decompression therapy sessions.
Based on existing research and our providers clinical results, the best course of treatment is 20 sessions over a 6 week period. To reduce inflammation and assist the healing process, supporting structures sometimes are treated with passive therapies (ice/heat/muscle stimulation), chiropractic adjustments (when indicated) and/or active rehabilitation in order to strengthen the spinal musculature.
Are there Clinical Trials that Document the Effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy?
There are quite a few actually, although none are Level 1 studies. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroimaging in 1998, Eyerman found in 20 patients that utilization of spinal decompression therapy resulted in disc herniation reduction and disc rehydration in over half of the patients.
A study in the American Journal of Pain Management by Shealy et al in 1997 showed that 86% of ruptured intervertebral disc patients achieved good to excellent results with decompression. Back pain and sciatica were impressively helpwed and of the facet arthrosis patients, 75% obtained good to excellent results with spinal decompression therapy.
One of the most well known studies on decompression therapy was published in the Orthopedic Technology Review in 2003 by Gionis et al. Out of 219 patients, 86% who completed treatment reported immediate resolution of their symptoms, while 84% remained pain free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings showed improvement in ninety two percent of the individuals and remained intact in eighty nine percent ninety days after treatment.
Are there Conditions where Spinal Decompression Therapy is Not Indicated?
Decompression Treatment is not recommended for pregnant women, people with severe osteoporosis, or post spinal surgery with instrumentation. Spine fusion surgery with no instrumentation is acceptable along with spine surgery without a fusion.
Do Patients Also Receive Physical Therapy?
Typically yes. To reduce inflammation in the spine and assist in the healing process, physical therapy along with rehab is typically added to strengthen the paraspinal muscles. Also passive therapies like heat, ice, muscle stimulation, and chiropractic manipulations are added to the mix as well.
How Much Does it Cost and does Insurance cover it?
The cost for 20 sessions ranges typically from $1200 to $4500, which is very reasonable considering the cost and potential adverse outcomes associated with spine surgery.
It's debatable whether insurance covers spinal decompression therapy. Some clinics advertise that it does but potentially it can be deceiving. Codes exist for vertebral traction, however spinal decompression is not pure traction, it is a traction based treatment. Most clinics offering spinal decompression treatment therefore provide it as a cash based fee for service treatment.
The Bottom Line
Spinal decompression therapy has saved many people from spinal surgery. According to a recent Journal of American Medical Association study, spine surgery is no more effective than non-invasive therapies, including chiropractic treatment, for patients with lumbar disk herniation causing sciatica.
It is very safe, affordable, FDA cleared, and extremely effective for many conditions such as arm, leg, back, and neck pain.