Lingering Lower Back Pain? Consider Spinal Decompression Therapy

Pain in your lower back that lingers can be a real nuisance. Even if the pain is not severe, it may keep you from bending over as far as you like. It may make even walking a painful experience that you work to avoid. Luckily, there is a type of chiropractic therapy that can help with this. It's called spinal decompression therapy. Keep reading to learn what it is and how it can help.

What is spinal decompression therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is a therapy that aims to create more space between the vertebrae. In other words, it spreads and spaces your vertebrae out more, which alleviates some of the pressure on the intervertebral discs. A lot of lower back pain results, in part, from either pressure on these discs or herniations (bulges) in these discs. Even if you do not yet have a herniated disc yet, having a compressed back puts you at risk for one, and spinal decompression therapy can help keep your back condition from worsening into such.

How is spinal decompression therapy performed?

Spinal decompression therapy is a bit different from your average chiropractic adjustment. Instead of just using their hands to adjust your back, your chiropractor will have you lie on a table with your feet in a traction device. This table typically dips down in the center, so when you lay on it, your back is slightly stretched. Slowly, the device will pull on your feet to stretch out your back. This should not hurt, although it may be a little uncomfortable. Many patients actually find the sensation relieving as it almost immediately relieves pressure in the lower back.

How often do you need this treatment?

That depends on the severity of your lower back pain and whether you have any herniated discs. If you don't have herniated discs and your back is just tight from overworking or bending the wrong way, then you might only need this one treatment to get back on track. However, spinal decompression therapy can also be helpful as an ongoing treatment for patients with herniated discs. You may benefit from a treatment every week, or every two weeks — your chiropractor will let you know what's best. Keeping pressure off your vertebral discs will help them better heal.

Spinal decompression therapy is a great choice for many with lower back pain. You can and should consider this treatment and talk to a chiropractor about it.

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