We have great success treating cases of lower back pain with chiropractic adjustments. When a spinal misalignment is the cause of lower back pain, a treatment plan of only adjustments can be effective in treating the condition. However, over the years, we have noticed that some patients, especially those with more severe spinal conditions, usually need more treatment than adjustments alone. In the past, that would mean that we would have to refer these patients to other offices, for spinal injections or even possibly surgery.
Considering that these patients would usually need multiple rounds of injections, that may or may not help, and that the success rate of spinal surgery is not as high as you may think, we decided we needed to add additional treatments to better serve our patients. In response, we have added spinal decompression therapy as a treatment option. Spinal decompression therapy is an excellent option to help with patients that suffer from lumbar bulging or degenerative discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.
After researching different options for spinal decompression, we decided to add the Back on Trac spinal decompression table to our office. Unlike some decompression machines, the Back on Trac table is easy for patients to get on and off the table. It also offers a number of protocols that can be used to treat a wide range of spinal conditions. This table also has the ability to move the patient laterally, side to side, to get better motion into the joints of the spine and to increase blood flow into the discs. This makes the Back on Trac extremely effective in the treatment of conditions like lumbar disc bulges, lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica.
What Conditions Can Spinal Decompression Help With?
Lower back pain is commonly the result of either bulging or herniated discs. We have discs between each vertebrae that act as shock absorbers for our spine. When too much pressure is applied to these areas, the internal portion can start to push out of the disc. This is called a bulging disc. Bulging discs can lead to pressure on the spinal nerves leading to lower back pain and pain radiating into the legs.
Although an MRI is needed to diagnose a bulging disc, a thorough examination can often determine whether your pain is due to this condition. Spinal decompression helps open up the disc space, promoting blood flow into the disc and helps heal the bulge. A combination of chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression has been proven to help this condition.
Over 3 million people suffer from sciatica every year in the United States. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. It starts in the lower back and extends into the buttocks and then down the back of the leg. When there is pressure or inflammation on the sciatic nerve, symptoms can include pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg.
Spinal decompression combined with chiropractic care is an effective treatment for sciatica. The Back on Trac decompression machine is particularly effective in treating sciatica, since it can flex the spine from side to side. This helps open up the joint and disc space on the side of the spine to help alleviate sciatic symptoms.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Over time, the discs gradually begin to lose their height, which can lead to lower back pain. This is known as degenerative disc disease or arthritis. Although most people think that degenerative discs only occur in elderly people, we are commonly seeing people in their 20s with degenerative discs!
Disc degeneration can easily be diagnosed with a spinal x-ray. Spinal decompression can help relieve pressure on the disc that occurs in spinal decompression. In addition to relieving the pressure from the disc, spinal decompression can also promote blood flow into the disc helping repair the disc itself. This helps slow, or even reverse, the effects of degenerative disc disease.
Another common cause of lower back pain is known as Facet Syndrome. At the back of each vertebrae we have facet joints. These joints often become inflamed, or wear down over time, leading to lower back pain. Facet syndrome is commonly seen in those that have degenerative discs.
Unfortunately, one of the most common medical treatments for this condition are injections into the facet joints. Although these injections help with inflammation, they do not cure facet syndrome. Spinal decompression is an effective replacement for spinal injections in the treatment of facet syndrome.
Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal, the area that holds the spinal cord, begins to narrow. When this happens, pressure is applied to the spinal cord leading to symptoms such as back pain, as well as pain, numbness or weakness in the legs.
Medical treatment for spinal stenosis often involves surgery to help widen the spinal canal. In the past, stenosis is a condition that has not responded well to chiropractic adjustments alone. However, spinal decompression is a non-surgical alternative for those suffering from spinal stenosis.
Another common cause of lower back pain is known as Facet Syndrome. At the back of each vertebrae we have facet joints. These joints often become inflamed, or wear down over time, leading to lower back pain. Facet syndrome is commonly seen in those that have degenerative discs.
Unfortunately, one of the most common medical treatments for this condition are injections into the facet joints. Although these injections help with inflammation, they do not cure facet syndrome. Spinal decompression is an effective replacement for spinal injections in the treatment of facet syndrome.
Call or Schedule Online to See If Spinal Decompression is Right for You