Spinal Decompression; What Can It do for You?

With nearly half of all adults experiencing some form of back pain each year, the excitement over decompression is understandable.  Unfortunately, dishonest practitioners, inexperienced individuals, and cheap machinery on the market can make it difficult to garner a real understanding of this treatment and what it can do for someone suffering from back pain.

So What Does Spinal Decompression Cure?
Truthfully, spinal decompression can't "cure" anything.  It can however, help in treating the most common symptoms associated with herniated and bulging discs.  

Decompression is different than traction because the goal isn't just to stretch you, but rather to give the extruded disc material an opportunity to return to its proper location.  Once the decompression series is over it is possible that the material will extrude again, but reports on long term relief are promising.

Decompression isn't appropriate for all disc injuries.  If you have an underlying pathology that renders the walls of your discs weak and friable, then decompression isn't really appropriate and may cause damage rather than help you.

What is a Course of Decompression Like?
If you see a reputable chiropractor for low back pain and are not getting the relief you hope for, they may recommend trying decompression.  Before beginning decompression therapy, you should be given a thorough exam to make sure this treatment is likely to help you.

The most common protocol involves two or more appointments a week for several weeks.  Each appointment will take between 45-50 minutes and is likely to include time on the decompression machine as well as some heat or cold therapy and possibly some massage or electrical muscular stimulation.

Detractors
There are a lot of studies that completely dismiss decompression as a form of treatment for low back pain.  Truthfully, there haven't been many studies that prove it to be more effective than other, more traditional solutions.  Most of the evidence cited in favor of decompression appears anecdotal, but it shouldn't be dismissed as inaccurate.

Clearly decompression does help some people.  Whether other treatments would be as effective is hard to tell because no such studies have been carried out as of yet.

An Analysis of Spinal Decompression
In the end, spinal decompression is worth trying if other options have not provided the results you hoped.  Physical therapy, massage, and medications can help in a conservative approach to disc issues.  For some people, this doesn't seem to be enough.

While many discs will heal on their own, not all do.  If you have a consistent problem with your lower back and your chiropractor has recommended a course of decompression treatment, it may help.  If surgery is looming on the horizon and you want to try "everything" before you agree, spinal decompression is one more option to consider.