What is spinal decompression?
Spinal decompression, or spinal decompression therapy, is a cost-effective alternative to surgery to correct back pain, neck pain, and referred pain that comes from your spine.
Much like chiropractic care, spinal decompression therapy doesn’t require any drugs or injections. Instead, the team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation chooses whether to perform your spinal decompression manually or using specialized equipment.
During spinal decompression therapy, the team stretches and repositions your spine. This relieves pressure from the discs between your vertebrae and eases nerve compression. The treatment greatly reduces symptoms like pain and numbness, and your body’s range of motion may improve.
Each spinal decompression therapy session lasts for 30-45 minutes. While some people find relief after the first session, the team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation typically recommends several sessions for the best possible results.
What conditions does spinal decompression treat?
The team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation recommends spinal decompression as a treatment for a number of conditions and symptoms originating in spinal nerves.
After a thorough evaluation and a consultation about your symptoms and treatment preferences, the team might recommend spinal decompression therapy to treat:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Whiplash injuries
- Degenerative disc disease
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Pinched nerves
- Sciatica
- Posterior facet syndrome (worn-out spinal joints)
Conditions like these can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or burning near your spine and in other areas of your body, like your extremities. The team might recommend other treatments alongside spinal decompression therapy to effectively treat your condition.
Am I a candidate for spinal decompression?
Before you undergo spinal decompression therapy at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, you have a comprehensive consultation.
The team makes sure your physical health is in the right state to undergo the therapy. You might be a candidate for spinal decompression if:
- You’re not pregnant
- All of your vertebrae are intact
- You’ve never had back surgery
- You don’t have implants in your spine
If spinal decompression is the right choice for your treatment, the team tells you exactly what to expect on the day of your treatment and if there are steps you need to take to prepare. They also tell you how many treatments you may need and realistic results you can expect.
For more information about spinal decompression therapy, call 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation or book an appointment online today.
