Half of all working Americans report that they’ve experienced back pain at some point in the past year, which isn’t surprising, since it’s a leading cause of missed time from the workplace. Many sufferers of chronic back pain rely on medication for relief, but certain drugs can cause drowsiness, interfere with concentration, and bring on other problems.
Here at Accelerated Medical, our providers believe prefer to use natural, drug-free approaches to pain management whenever possible. For this reason, we offer spinal decompression therapy to help patients with chronic back pain reduce or eliminate their need for pain medication.
What is spinal decompression therapy?
Traditional traction methods employ force to elongate the spine, thus giving joints space and relieving pressure on the nerves that are causing pain. While this method can help, results are often unpredictable or inconsistent, since the body often responds by contracting in the opposite direction to find balance.
Modern methods of spinal decompression use technology that maximizes the stretching benefits while also reducing the body’s natural response to contract. Accelerated Medical uses spinal decompression as a nonsurgical way to relieve chronic back pain.
What to expect from spinal decompression treatments
Treatments start with you strapped to the decompression table. Your upper body is secured and stable, while your lower body is attached to segments of the table that move. During a session, which will typically last 30-45 minutes, the lower section of your body moves gently to help decompress your spinal discs.
The table uses a series of hold and release movements. These movements, which are controlled by a computer program, maximize the decompression effect and minimize your body’s contrary reaction to the movements. The treatment, which encourages blood flow and natural healing, has helped many patients suffering with chronic back pain.
Most patients require a number of treatments for lasting relief. There’s typically no pain during decompression treatments, though you may feel the stretching and expansion of your spine and its supporting tissue.
An alternative to surgery
There are surgical techniques that can help decompress your spine, and in certain cases they may be recommended. However, most practitioners tend to perform more conservative treatments first, such as spinal decompression therapy, before moving to surgery.
If you’re dealing with chronic back pain, decompression therapy may be able to help you. To learn more, call (775)753-7387 or request a consultation online today.