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FAQ
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| Answers |
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| What is Spinal Decompression Therapy? |
| Spinal
decompression therapy is a non-surgical, comfortable traction therapy for
the relief of back and leg pain or neck and arm pain. During this procedure,
by cycling through distraction and relaxation phases and by proper
positioning, a spinal disc can be isolated and placed under negative
pressure, causing a vacuum effect within it.
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| What can this vacuum effect do? |
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vacuum effect accomplishes two things. From a mechanical standpoint, disc
material that has protruded or herniated outside the normal confines of the
disc may be pulled back within the disc by the vacuum created within the
disc. Also, the vacuum may bring more fluid within the disc. This may result
in pain reduction and an increase in disk height.
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| What machine is used for this purpose? |
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are a number of spinal decompression machines presently used in the United
States. After significant research, Hopkins Clinic for Physical Medicine has
chosen to use the Triton DTS machine manufactured by Chattanooga, Inc., the
premier manufacturer of physical therapy machines.
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| Who can benefit from Spinal Decompression Therapy? |
| Spinal
decompression therapy is designed to unload the spinal disc. Any back pain
or neck pain caused in whole or in part by a damaged disc may be helped by
spinal decompression therapy. These conditions include herniated, protruding
or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica or radiculopathy (pinched
nerves).
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| Are there conditions where Spinal Decompression is not indicated? |
| Spinal
decompression therapy is usually not recommended for pregnant women, or
patients who have severe osteoporosis, severe obesity or severe nerve
damage. It is not recommended for patients over 70. However, every patient
is evaluated on an individual basis. Spinal surgery with instrumentation
(screws and metal plates or “cages”) is also contraindicated. Surgery to
the discs without fusion or fusion using bony replacement is not
contraindicated.
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| How often do I take treatment sessions? How long does each session last?
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| Each
session includes decompression therapy, muscle stimulation and spinal
stabilization exercises if indicated. Each session lasts approximately
35-40 minutes. Spinal decompression is usually performed 3-5 times a week
for 15-20 sessions.
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| What are the results of Spinal Decompression Therapy? |
| Studies
vary in improvement but In most studies, more than 70% of patients have good
pain relief. See some of the clinical studies in detail by clicking on this
link www.peoriadts.com/clinicaltrials.htm
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| I have had spinal surgery, but continue to have pain. Can I try Spinal Decompression Therapy? |
| Spinal
decompression therapy may help people with back pain after failed spinal
surgery. It can be performed in most patients who have not been left with an
unstable or fused spine after surgery.
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| How's does the
therapy work? |
Research
indicates the disc is responsible for a significant number of Lumbar/Leg
pain and neck/arm pain syndromes. Compression increases intradiscal pressure
leading to annular compromise and possible extrusion of nuclear
material. Commonly known as a disc herniation or bulge.
Since the disc is an avascular structure, it doesn't receive fresh blood and
oxygen with every beat of the heart. It requires "diffusion"
created by motion and 'decompression' to restore nutrients and enhance
healing.
Decompression is defined as reduction in pressure (intradiscal). Laying down
can also decrease intradiscal pressures in comparison to standing and
sitting. However, this technique which uses focused, axial traction,
(creating 'decompression') has been shown to reduce disc pressure and
enhance the healing response even further.
 There
is some suggestion in the literature that extruded nuclear material may be
"drawn in" by the reduction of intradiscal pressures. Any
temporary reduction in intradiscal pressure can have a profound effect on
the healing process. Axial traction can also initiate pain relief
neurologically by stretching soft tissue. |
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| When can
I expect results? |
| Clinical
findings suggest Decompression will create a relatively quick initial
response. Patients who will do well tend to feel a sense of relief (which
can be direct pain cessation or a centralization of pain and/or reduction to
an ache or stiffness) within six sessions. Full relief, if attainable
through this passive treatment will usually be in 8-12 sessions.
(Occasionally a 'stubborn' pain syndrome may continue to improve slowly over
15+ sessions though this is not the norm). Often patients will be treated
4-6 sessions and notice enough relief to allow active rehab to begin. Their
Decompression may continue (pre or post rehab depending on the methods
chosen) for 4-6 further sessions before discontinuing or reducing the
frequency. |
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| What is
the difference between decompression and conventional traction? |
| Studies
verify that spinal decompression demonstrates a significant reduction of
intradiscal pressures into the negative range. Conventional traction has
never demonstrated a reduction of intradiscal pressure to negative ranges;
on the contrary - many traction devices actually increased intradiscal
pressure, most likely due to reflex muscle spasm. The Decompression Table is
designed to apply distraction tension to the patient’s lumbar spine
without eliciting reflex paravertebral muscle contractions. |
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