Chronic back pain is so debilitating. It can interfere with every aspect of life. Living with a painful back takes a mental toll. Many people worry about long-term pain medication use or find that medication is less effective over time. Back surgery is an option, but many patients are wary that the surgery won’t eliminate the pain or might make it worse. Most doctors agree that surgical spinal treatment is a last resort option because of the serious risks involved.
Bulging discs and poor spinal alignment can make even simple daily activities incredibly painful. Noninvasive, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy can provide the relief that will allow a person in pain to get back to all the things they used to love to do.
How It’s Done
In spinal decompression therapy, the doctor manually or with a machine uses traction to stretch the spine. This takes much of the pressure off compressed discs, allowing blood and fluid to circulate and promoting the healing process.
The treatment usually requires several sessions, and each session may last between 30-45 minutes. It is often done alongside other forms of therapy that treat the entire back.
Sciatica Stress
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back and down each leg. A bone spur, narrowing of the spine, or a bulging disc can pinch the sciatic nerve. This causes a lot of pain and tingling or numbness, often in the lower back or down one leg. Spinal decompression therapy can relieve that pain for some patients and allow the inflammation around the nerve to heal.
Bulging or Herniated Discs
In-between each vertebra, there is a disc that acts as a cushion. Over time, many things can create abnormal pressure on these discs. Some activities can compress the discs or cause them to slip out of alignment, resulting in bulging or herniated discs.
Spinal decompression therapy moves the spine back into alignment and redistributes the pressure so that the bulged disc can move back into place. This allows the inflammation around the area to diminish. Some herniated discs can be severe and require careful manipulation over many treatments to promote healing and prevent further injury.
Avoiding Surgery
Prolonged back pain can make some people desperate for relief. But back surgery can be risky. Many people who do undergo back surgery are later disappointed to find that the surgery did not provide much relief or, in some cases, made the pain even worse.
A chiropractor can provide spinal decompression therapy alongside other therapies without having to cut into the back.
Getting Back to What Matters
Once chronic back pain takes over, finding joy in life can get harder and harder. Don’t let back pain keep you down and take away what matters. A chiropractor can review your medical history and discuss your options, including whether spinal decompression therapy can benefit you.
Find out if spinal decompression therapy is right for you, contact Mount Airy Chiropractic Center in Mount Airy, MD at (301) 829-1717.