NON-INVASIVE SPINE DECOMPRESSION AT HOME – ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST
Even ancient doctors practiced back stretching to treat various diseases through spinal decompression. Most often, this procedure was performed for spinal traumas, hernias, pinched nerves, and lateral curvature of the spinal column (scoliosis). Over time, this method, called “spinal decompression”, has become popular for home treatment and in medical institutions.
As is often the case, doctors are divided into two opposing camps. Some talk about the undoubted harm that this method can cause and lead, at least, to the formation of an intervertebral hernia. Other physicians recommend using traction to treat almost any spinal problem with spinal decompression, whether with sophisticated back traction machines or simple home devices. As always happens, the truth is out there somewhere.
In the beginning, we recommend contacting medical professionals. And then, with their approval, spinal decompression can be performed at home or in a medical facility. Also, for back traction leading to spinal decompression, you can use various spinal decompression devices for the home or hospital, or special back stretching exercises.
Popular Non-Invasive Spinal Decompression Methods and Therapy Devices.
There are several procedures for spinal traction to treat back pain.
- Manual Spinal Decompression at Home or at the Doctor’s with the Participation of a Masseur or Physiotherapist:
This traditional procedure of spinal traction is used by the physiotherapists for relieving back pain. This treatment is done manually by exerting force on muscles and joints without the use of any extensive mechanical tools. However, this procedure is no longer used because of its low efficiency. - Mechanical Spinal Decompression at Home or with a Doctor Using Back Traction Devices:
This procedure is an advanced way of spinal decompression in which a table is used for performing the process. The major disadvantage of this treatment is that the patients generally experience extreme muscular spasms after the affected areas have been healed. - Spinal Decompression Therapy with Home/Professional Back Traction Method Lumbarest:
In this procedure, optimally designed mats are used for treating back pain in both sitting and recumbent positions. This brings relief in back pain by decreasing muscle tension in the back, which lead to spinal traction. This procedure uses mats that are similar to foams possessing high elasticity properties and thus help in alleviating the pain. Some of the major benefits of Lumbarest system include the following:
• Regeneration of tissues by increased vasculature
• Reduced tone in tendons and muscles
• Extension of compressed muscular structures
• Increased lymphatic flow
What is the success rate of non-invasive spinal decompression? Most research has shown spinal traction-decompression to be successful in 71% to 89% of patients. More than 10 different research studies have been conducted with all of them showing good results for patients treated with spinal decompression.
The main theory behind spinal decompression is that providing traction to the compressed structures in the spine helps relieve pressure and pain. So traction must help low back pain, right? A study published in the 2001 issue of Physical Therapy Journal (PTJ) evaluated various forms of treatment for acute (symptoms for less than 4 weeks), sub-acute (4-12 weeks) and chronic (more than 12 weeks) low back pain. The published evidence available for the use of traction for low back pain received a grade of “C” (no benefit demonstrated).
Claims have also been made that spinal decompression creates negative pressure in the discs of the spine, which helps to pull bulging discs back into place. A published study reporting on three patients concludes that spinal decompression did lower the pressure in the discs while using decompression. This is a small study, however, and no cause and effect conclusion about spinal decompression and low back pain can be made6 .
However, more studies have been conducted since the ones mentioned above. More observational studies using larger trial groups are finding that spinal decompression may help with some of the symptoms of low back pain, specifically the radicular leg pain. And, there are still smaller studies finding positive outcomes. Simply put, there is limited scientific evidence that spinal decompression can help your low back pain.
Does that mean that it does not work? Not entirely. It just means that the current level of research is not sufficient to draw positive cause/effect conclusions for the use of spinal decompression. There may be other more affordable options for you to consider when faced with treating your low back pain.
In this modern era of medical science and technology, medical professionals have discovered different ways for spinal decompression without any surgery. All these spinal traction procedures aimed to aid in removing additional pressure on the inter-vertebral discs. Now the question arises that what are inter-vertebral discs? These are small structures similar to a cushion that are placed between your vertebrae. All these discs together provide strength and constancy to your back by serving as shock absorbers. Herniation or Bulging of these discs due to long periods of stress and other factors may lead to persistent back pain. Decompression or traction techniques are used to relieve pain in such painful conditions.
If you are a victim of a lasting back pain or other related symptoms, then you might know that how disruptive it can be to your life. A back pain is a constant cause of worry for people all over the world. You might be unable to ponder of little else other than finding relief. Many people resort to the spinal decompression therapy – in such cases.
The Spinal Decompression Therapy is changing the way back pain is considered and treated and it has helped millions of people to gain relief from a chronic neck pain as well as back pain without any surgeries and drugs.
Back pain is a huge problem in this modern age. Below are some stats that show how the back pain is causing trouble for millions of people across the globe and what should be done to improve the conditions of the people who are suffering from it.
• Low back pain can be a big cause of the disability in people under the age of 45
• Up to 85% people will develop some kind of back pain at any point in life
• Almost 6.5 million people are bed ridden because of the back pain
• About 5.4 million Americans face some kind of disability due to the back pain every year
• Only 20% patients suffering from the low back pain will be treated
Conclusions:
- Non-surgical lumbar decompression is a more conservative approach to your back pain that is natural and doesn’t require any injections or medications.
- In the study published in the American Journal of Pain Management, it was concluded that non-invasive spinal decompression provided at least 50-89% and up to 90-100% improvement in pain to patients.
- Though most patients feel some relief nearly immediately, it can take a series of treatment sessions to fully address the cause of pain. The number of treatments you need will depend specifically on your own needs and therapies you used. For example, with Lumbarest home device for spinal decompression if your condition is severe, it could take up to 20 sessions to achieve maximum results.
