Spinal Decompression Therapy
What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Spinal Decompression Therapy is FDA approved and has a very high
success rate for pain associated with herniated
discs, sciatica, degenerative disc
disease (spinal arthritis), spinal
stenosis, cervical
radiculopathy/cervical
radiculitis……. even after failed surgery. It is a
non-surgical, traction based therapy for the relief of back/ leg
pain or neck/arm pain. During this procedure, we have the ability
to cycle through distraction and relaxation phases and by proper
positioning determination, a spinal disc can be isolated and placed
under negative pressure, causing a vacuum effect within it, drawing
it back from its herniated position and away from the nerve. If
your condition is not discal and is secondary to arthritis, which
can lead to spinal stenosis, we can change the parameters to focus
on a more continuous shorter hold/relax phases, creating a “milking
of the joints”. This will help to reduce inflammation and allow
diffusion (absorption) of nutrients into the arthritic areas to
lubricate and heal the irritated structures.
How is Spinal Decompression Therapy different from
regular traction?
Traction can be defined as a
separation of two surfaces. Therefore, STD is a type of traction.
However, the spine will not be “decompressed” unless the traction
force is at or greater then 50lbs. Typical tractioning does not
reach this level. The computer-controlled KDT system creates
variations in the traction pull, allowing for spinal decompression
and eliminating muscle guarding that is typical in conventional
traction devices. The preprogrammed patterns for ramping up and
down the amount of axial distraction, along with the
rest/relaxation phase will allow for higher levels of decompression
and intervertebral disc re-hydration.
Who can benefit from Spinal Decompression
Therapy?
Anyone who has back pain
or neck
pain caused in whole or in part by a damaged, or herniated
disc, arthritis and stenosis may be helped by spinal decompression
therapy. These conditions include herniated,
protruding or bulging discs, spinal
stenosis, spinal arthritis, sciatica or radiculopathy
(pinched nerves).
Am I too old to receive benefit from Spinal
Decompression Therapy?
While we would
certainly be more cautious with our elderly patients, we have
successfully treated patients with SDT well into their 70's.
Chronological age is far less important than spinal health. A 90
year old may have a healthier spine than a 70 year old. Through our
examination and imaging studies, we will be able to determine
whether SDT is the treatment of choice. The take away is that age
is irrelevant.
Do all decompression machines do the same
thing?
Yes and no. All decompression tables have the
ability to exert 50lbs. or more of axial traction and most can
change the pull patterns (not necessarily customize), so as far as
this is concerned the answer is “yes”, however this is as far as it
goes. There is a lot more to successful patient outcomes than
simply axial pull and pre-determined pull patterns. There is simply
not a magic button that could be pressed that will correspond to
the spinal level of pain. The fact is, not all decompression tables
are created the same. Some of the differences include; having the
ability to place the patient face down, face up or even lying on
the side and fully customizable pull patterns, to name a few. It
must be noted and emphasized that while the table is important, IT
IS THE CLASSIFICATION BASED UPON THE DIAGNOSIS that will determine
patient positioning, pull patterns and overall protocol. So, choose
your doctor first, table second.
Do patients receive therapy and rehabilitative exercises
in addition to SDT?
Yes, to help reduce inflammation
and to assist/speed up the healing process, we will often use ice,
heat, electric muscle stimulation and/or ultrasound to the
irritated structures. Chiropractic adjustments and specific spinal
exercises will be done to strengthen and stabilize the spine.
Do medical studies support the claims of SDT
effectiveness?
Yes, see below:
"Eighty-six percent of ruptured intervertebral disc (RID)
patients achieved 'good' (50-89% improvement) to 'excellent'
(90-100% improvement) results with decompression. Sciatica and back
pain were relieved. Of the facet arthrosis patients, 75% obtained
'good' to 'excellent' results with decompression."
C. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD, and Vera Borgmeyer, RN, MA.
Decompression, Reduction, and Stabilization of the Lumbar Spine: A
Cost-Effective Treatment for Lumbosacral Pain. American Journal of
Pain Management Vol. 7 No. 2 April 1997
"Serial MRI of 20 patients treated with the
decompression table shows in our study up to 90% reduction of
subligamentous nucleus herniation in 10 of 14. Some rehydration
occurs detected by T2 and proton density signal increase. Torn
annulus repair is seen in all."
Eyerman, Edward
MD. Simple pelvic traction gives inconsistent relief to herniated
lumbar disc sufferers. Journal of Neuroimaging. Paper presented to
the American Society of Neuroimaging, Orlando, Florida
2-26-98.
"Distraction results in disc rehydration, stimulated
extracellular matrix gene expression, and increased numbers of
protein-expressing cells."
Guehring T, Omlor GW,
Lorenz H, Engelleiter K, Richter W, Carstens C, Kroeber M.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Heidelberg,
Germany. Disc distraction shows evidence of regenerative potential
in degenerated intervertebral discs as evaluated by protein
expression, magnetic resonance imaging, and messenger ribonucleic
acid expression analysis. Spine. 2006 Jul
1;31(15):1658-65
“Spinal Decompression Therapy allowed imbibition and
complete reduction of the visualized herniation. SDT therapy
provided an effective means of treatment for this patient's
symptoms resulting from discal herniation(extrusion)with associated
impingement of the adjacent nerve root. MR imaging proved to be a
useful and non-invasive technique in monitoring the efficacy of
decompression therapy as it applies to this case. Decompression of
the spine proved to be superior to the other forms of conservative
care when applied to our patient. The patients' results were both
subjectively favorable and objectively quantified."
Treatment of L5-S1 Extruded Disc Herniation Using DRX-9000
Spinal Decompression Unit: Case Report. Terry R.Yochum
DC,DACBR,Fellow,ACCR, andChad J.Maola D.C. Chiropractic
Economics,Vol53:Issue2
What do patients have to say about Spinal Decompression
Therapy treatment?
Spinal
Decompression Patient Testimonials