What is Spinal Decompression?

Spinal Decompression is a technique that utilizes a specialized table to gently traction or gaps the joints of the lower back (lumbar spine). By gapping the joints of the lower back, a negative pressure is created causing a vacuum-like effect to occur. This allows protruding disc material to be coaxed back into place, while also drawing in nutrient-rich fluid that will help with the healing process. This process helps relieve symptoms of stenosis, degenerative disease (osteoarthritis) and disc herniations.

What sounds like a complicated process, is actually very simple. The discs that lay between the vertebrae in your spine are made up of a gel-like substance and act as a shock absorber for the spine. This gel like material can ‘herniate’ or protrude out from its normal resting position. This can occur for a number of reasons such as: injury, repetitive stress, overloading the spine, or poor posture.

The spine is a very complex and compact structure. The spinal cord and its nerves have limited room to live and exist within the human body. This helps to protect the spine from excessive movement or trauma. However, when discs protrude they can actually start to compress these important structures in your back causing pain, numbness, and tingling symptoms.

As we age, our body begins to undergo degenerative changes (arthritis) that can reduce the size of the spinal canal, or the canals the nerves travel through as they exit the spine. These changes are more difficult to treat, as we cannot physically alter the size of the canal openings.  By gapping the joints of the spine and restoring fluid into the discs of the back we provide the nerves and structures of the back as much room to operate as possible.

So is Spinal Decompression right for you?

If you suffer from constant back pain, shooting pain down your legs, numbness or tingling of your lower limbs, or if you have been told you have ‘arthritis’ in your back, then the answer is a simple “yes!”. Spinal decompression can help alleviate all of these symptoms if used in the right situation. Our trained health care professionals will examine you and determine if spinal decompression is your best course of treatment.

Bonus Fact: Contrary to popular belief, discs are less likely to become herniated as we age due to the fact that the material in the spine loses fluid and becomes less malleable – this also explains why we become shorter as we age since less fluid in the discs means reduced disc height!

Interested in Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Call us today to book your appointment!
(905) 934 – 2121