Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy (NSSDT) is an FDA approved treatment option that has shown very good results in certain types of spinal conditions, including but not limited to: bulging discs, herniated discs, facet syndrome, spinal stenosis, degenerative joint and disc disease, sciatica, traumatic and degenerative spondylolisthesis, osteoarthritis, nerve compressions and radiculopathy in the arms or legs.
Decompression is the product of long axis traction along the structures of the spinal column with sufficient force to cause unloading of the affected tissues. The theory behind non-surgical spinal decompression is that significant distractive forces - when applied to the lumbar or cervical spine in controlled, variable amounts and directions can create sufficient negative pressure in the center (nucleus) of the intervertebral disc. This creates a drawing effect, or vacuum phenomenon in order to retract or reduce the size of the herniated or bulging disc's gelatinous internal nucleus pulposus. This can effect diminishment or elimination of spinal cord or nerve compression, while simultaneously creating an osmotic gradient which helps bring nutrients and water into the disc. Since intervertebral discs have poor circulation, they depend upon receiving their nutrition through diffusion across the end plates of the vertebrae above and below. Bulging discs, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, sciatica, and arm pain or leg pain can often be attributed to the structures of your spine asserting pressure on your discs. Poor posture, bad body mechanics, repetitive stress and acute injury can cause your vertebrae to become misaligned which can then cause deformity in the outer fibers of the disc, which then apply pressure to the spinal cord in its central canal or to the nerve roots as they exit the spine.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Treatment is completely non-invasive, and provides gentle decompression of the disc through the use of a decompression table. A sophisticated computer controls the distraction force which is applied in periods of traction and relaxation to a specifically targeted segment of the spine. This gently pulls along the length of the spine, elongating it and creating a small vacuum between the vertebrae, which can pull the disc back into shape. Since the amount of traction is controlled incrementally by the computer, the decompression works in very minute degrees of force. Over a series of treatments the effects can become multiplicative, allowing the disc to reshape itself and properly heal. Creating a vacuum in the nucleus of the disc can also promote the proper flow of nutrients needed to combat future degeneration and injury. The appeal of non-surgical spinal decompression is that it is a non-invasive, non-surgical, drug-free alternative treatment for low back pain, sciatica, disc degeneration, disc bulges, disc herniations, facet syndrome and other chronic conditions. However, not everyone is an appropriate candidate for NSSDT. Application of traction to the structures of the spine to relieve back pain is not appropriate for some patients. The following conditions have an absolute contra-indication for non-surgical spinal decompression treatments: Pregnancy, vertebral fracture, surgical spinal fusion, artificial discs, or other implanted devices in the spine, neoplasm or cancer of spinal structures. Patients with any of the following conditions are also not good candidates: osteoporosis, or osteopenia, spinal infection and Ankylosing Spondylitis.
